Four afternoon games on Sunday and three pitchers starting today have had terrific seasons to this point. Casey Sadler, Adrian Sampson and Orlando Castro have each looked good all year and they hope that trend continues today. Check out the Prospect Watch from last night. For a look at possible starters down the line, check out our Probable Starter Chart. All minor league transactions over the last month can be found at the bottom of the page. Click the link on each pitcher’s name for more information.
AAA: Indianapolis (28-19) @ Charlotte (15-31) 2:05pm
Probable starter: Casey Sadler (5-1, 2.22)
Yesterday’s Result: Charlotte 3, Indianapolis 1
Casey Sadler will make his eighth start of the season today. He has also pitched four scoreless innings of relief over two appearances for the Pirates. Sadler has thrown 44.2 innings for Indianapolis, allowing 36 hits, two homers and nine walks. He has 33 strikeouts, a 1.74 GO/AO ratio and a .222 BAA. In his last start, he gave up two earned runs over seven innings. In five away starts, Sadler has a 1.85 ERA.
AA: Altoona (20-28) @ Erie (19-28) 1:35pm
Probable starter: Adrian Sampson (3-3, 2.17)
Yesterday’s Result: Altoona 2, Erie 0 (game one) Erie 7, Altoona 6 (game two)
Adrian Sampson will make his tenth start of the season today. He has thrown a total of 49.2 innings, allowing 40 hits, two homers and 14 walks. He has 41 strikeouts, a 1.12 GO/AO ratio and a .219 BAA. In his last start, Sampson allowed one run over seven innings and struck out a career-high eight batters. This season has been a drastic turnaround for him, as he led the Pirates minor league system with 177 hits allowed last year. Right-handed batters are hitting just .159 against him this season.
High-A: Bradenton (23-26) @ Charlotte (25-23) 1:00pm
Probable starter: Orlando Castro (3-2, 2.90)
Yesterday’s Result: Charlotte 9, Bradenton 5
Orlando Castro will make his ninth start of the season. He has also pitched once in relief. Castro has thrown 49.2 innings, allowing 41 hits, two homers and seven walks. He has 35 strikeouts, a 1.48 GO/AO ratio and a .229 BAA. In his last start, he threw 6.2 shutout innings. In his previous game, Castro retired the first 18 batters he faced. Surprisingly, lefties are hitting better off the southpaw, collecting a .266 average versus .209 against right-handed batters.
Low-A: West Virginia (16-32) vs Lakewood (19-27) 2:05pm
Probable starter: Shane Carle (1-4, 3.55)
Yesterday’s Result: Lakewood 7, West Virginia 0
Shane Carle will make his tenth start of the season this afternoon. He has thrown 45.2 innings, allowing 55 hits, three homers and four walks. He has 27 strikeouts, a 1.83 GO/AO ratio and a .304 BAA. In his last start, Carle went six innings, giving up four runs(one earned) on five hits and one walk. He hasn’t walked more than one batter in any start this year. Carle has been hurt by bad defense, leading to unearned runs in five of his starts. In his last five starts combined, he has just eight strikeouts. In the three prior starts, he struck out 19 batters.
Recent Transactions
5/24: Andy Otamendi assigned to Extended Spring Training. Orlando Castro assigned to Bradenton.
5/23 Tony Sanchez assigned to Indianapolis.
5/23: Josh Wall assigned to Indianapolis roster.
5/22: Edwin Espinal activated from disabled list. Candon Myles placed on disabled list.
5/21: Andy Otamendi added to Bradenton roster. Orlando Castro assigned to Jamestown.
5/20: Omir Santos placed on disabled list. Ralph Henriquez assigned to Indianapolis.
5/19: Jared LaKind added to West Virginia roster. Will Kendall placed on disabled list.
5/19: Brandon Cumpton reassigned to Indianapolis. Ralph Henriquez sent from Indianapolis to Altoona
5/18: West Virginia sends Kawika Emsley-Pai to Altoona. Francisco Diaz added off Jamestown roster.
5/18: Ralph Henriquez sent from Altoona to Indianapolis.
5/16: Edwin Espinal placed on disabled list. Adam Landecker added to West Virginia roster.
5/16: Jaff Decker sent from Pittsburgh to Indianapolis. Cody Eppley transferred to Jamestown roster.
5/13: Activated Zack Dodson from disabled list. Ryan Beckman transferred to Jamestown roster.
5/12: Signed Nathan Sopena.
5/12: Released Christian Santiago, Arquimedes Lorenzo, Ramon Rodriguez and Marcus Beltrez.
5/9: Miguel Rosario added to West Virginia roster. Jerry Mulderig assigned to Jamestown roster.
5/9: Kenn Kasparek assigned to Jamestown roster.
5/8: Harold Ramirez activated from disabled list. Michael Fransoso assigned to Jamestown roster.
5/8: Matt Curry activated from disabled list and assigned to Altoona.
5/7: Andrew Lambo placed on disabled list.
5/6: Jeff Locke assigned to Indianapolis. Phil Irwin promoted to majors.
5/6: Vance Worley added to Indianapolis roster.
5/5: Duke Welker placed on disabled list. Adalberto Santos assigned to Indianapolis roster.
5/5: Jeff Locke promoted to Pirates. Casey Sadler assigned to Indianapolis.
5/4: Jose Osuna placed on disabled list. D.J. Crumlich added to Bradenton roster.
5/4: Kenn Kasparek promoted to Indianapolis.
5/3: Cody Eppley assigned in Indianapolis roster.
5/3: Reese McGuire activated from disabled list. Francisco Diaz assigned to Jamestown roster.
5/2: Benji Gonzalez traded to San Diego Padres.
5/2: Kenn Kasparek activated from Altoona disabled list. Carlos Paulino placed on disabled list.
5/2: Jordan Steranka placed on disabled list. Taylor Lewis added to Bradenton roster.
5/1: Robert Andino activated from Indianapolis disabled list. Adalberto Santos assigned to Jamestown roster.
5/1: Wandy Rodriguez assigned to Altoona roster on rehab.
4/30 Elvis Escobar added to West Virginia roster. Adam Landecker assigned to Jamestown roster.
4/29: Cody Eppley transferred to Jamestown roster.
4/29: Ralph Henriquez added to Altoona roster.
4/27: Reese McGuire placed on disabled list. Kawika Emsley-Pai added to West Virginia roster.
4/27: Casey Sadler promoted to majors. Jared Hughes sent to Indianapolis.
4/27: Tyler Waldron promoted to Indianapolis.
4/27 Omir Santos added to Indianapolis roster.
4/27: Josh Smith assigned to Bradenton roster. Oderman Rocha sent to Extended Spring Training.
4/26: Bryton Trepagnier assigned to Bradenton roster. Andy Otamendi sent to Extended Spring Training.
4/26: Brandon Mann added to Altoona roster. Kenn Kasparek placed on disabled list.
