TOP OF THE SYSTEM
A look at how the current top 20 prospects did today. Note that this list doesn’t include players currently in the majors (Tony Sanchez #11, Stolmy Pimentel #13). If a player is in the majors, he will be removed, everyone below him will be shifted up a spot, and a new player will be added to the bottom of the list. If a player is out for the season (Jameson Taillon #2, Clay Holmes #12), he will be removed and everyone below him will move up a spot. Removing these guys doesn’t mean they have lost prospect status. It is just an attempt to get 20 active prospects on the list. Rankings are from the 2014 Prospect Guide, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player pages.
1. Gregory Polanco, CF, Indianapolis – 2-for-4, 3B
2. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Bradenton – Disabled List (3/22 Update)
3. Austin Meadows, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/2 Update)
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona – 0-for-4, BB, SB
5. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
6. Reese McGuire, C, West Virginia – 1-for-5
7. Josh Bell, RF, Bradenton – 2-for-4, BB
8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power – DNP
9. Harold Ramirez, OF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/7 Update)
10. Andrew Lambo, 1B, Indianapolis – 1-for-4, BB
11. Joely Rodriguez, LHP, Altoona – DNP
12. Blake Taylor, LHP, Extended Spring Training – DNP
13. Cody Dickson, LHP, West Virginia – 4.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
14. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/7 Update)
15. JaCoby Jones, SS, West Virginia – 0-for-4
16. Michael De La Cruz, OF, Extended Spring Training – DNP
17. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, West Virginia – 2-for-3, 2B, BB
18. Jin-De Jhang, C, Bradenton – DNP
19. Brandon Cumpton, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
20. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
ORDER YOUR 2014 PROSPECT GUIDE
The 2014 Prospect Guide is now available, and is the perfect resource to follow the minor league system during the 2014 season. You can order your copy on the products page of the site.
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Gregory Polanco, RF – 2-for-4, 3B
Home Runs: Willy Garcia (2)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 6, Toledo 4
Starting Pitcher: Jake Brigham, RHP – 4.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Gregory Polanco, RF – 2-for-4, 3B
Other Notable Performers:
Michael Martinez, SS – 2-for-5
Andrew Lambo, DH – 1-for-4, BB
Carlos Paulino, C – 2-for-3, BB
Game Notes: Pirates top prospect Gregory Polanco continued to excite, as the he tripled to center in the third inning and had the fans on the edge of their seats and he was preparing to round third before being held up. He also reached on an infield single in the sixth to drive in a run. It is this speed combined with the power that has so many Pirates fans chomping at the bit to see Polanco in Pittsburgh.
For starter Jake Brigham, unlike his first outing, it was a mixed bag. Brigham struck out seven in just 4.1 innings. However, he walked four and allowed four runs, three of which were earned. With a three run fifth inning, Indianapolis did give Brigham a no decision, however.
Former top Tigers prospect Andy Oliver threw two shutout innings for the save, striking out four. – Ryan Palencer
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Richmond 5, Altoona 4
Starting Pitcher: Nick Kingham, RHP – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Willy Garcia, RF – 1-for-4, HR
Other Notable Performers:
Stetson Allie, 1B – 1-for-3, 2B, BB, SB
Gift Ngoepe, 2B – 1-for-2, 2 BB
Game Notes: Nick Kingham now has one run allowed on six hits in 12 innings of work over his first two starts of the season. He also has ten strikeouts in that time. The one drawback is that he has six walks in those 12 innings. Kingham normally has excellent fastball control, and was never over a 2.6 BB/9 in A-ball (1.8 BB/9 in High-A last year). In his time in Altoona last year he had a 3.7 BB/9 ratio. His numbers have been excellent across the board, with the exception of the walks so far in Double-A. Willy Garcia hit his second homer of the season in 25 at-bats. Stetson Allie picked up his second double in two days.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Jupiter 9, Bradenton 2
Starting Pitcher: John Kuchno, RHP – 3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Josh Bell, RF – 2-for-4, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Jose Osuna, 1B – 2-for-5, RBI, SB
Raul Fortunato, LF – 1-for-4, 2B, BB, SB
Adam Frazier, DH – 1-for-3, BB, SB
Game Notes: Josh Bell now has a hit in all seven of his games this season, including five multi-hit games. He is currently 12-for-28 (.429) with three doubles, a triple, and a homer. Jose Osuna picked up two hits on the night to raise his early season average to .346. He also stole home plate on the back end of a double steal in the first inning. John Kuchno threw five no-hit innings during his last start, but was hit around tonight, giving up seven runs on nine hits.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: Lexington 6, West Virginia 3
Starting Pitcher: Cody Dickson, LHP – 4.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
Top Hitter: Erich Weiss, 2B – 3-for-4, 2B
Other Notable Performers:
Wyatt Mathisen, 3B – 2-for-3, 2B, BB
Justin Maffei, CF – 2-for-2, 2 BB
Game Notes: Erich Weiss picked up three hits tonight, and now has a hit in six straight games, after starting the season 0-for-9 in his first three games. Wyatt Mathisen had a two hit night, and picked up his first extra base hit of the season. Cody Dickson had a great start in his debut, throwing five shutout innings with no walks and seven strikeouts. Tonight he was hit around for six runs on ten hits. The one positive here is that he hasn’t issued a walk in 9.2 innings over his two starts. One of the big issues with Dickson when he was drafted was a lack of control.
