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 (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 – 0-for-4, 3 K
2. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Bradenton – DNP
3. Austin Meadows, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/22 Update)
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona – 0-for-3, BB
5. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona – DNP
6. Reese McGuire, C, West Virginia – DNP
7. Josh Bell, RF, Bradenton – 0-for-2, BB
8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power – Disabled List (4/22 Update)
9. Harold Ramirez, OF, West Virginia – 0-for-3
10. Andrew Lambo, OF, Indianapolis – Disabled List (5/7 Update)
11. Joely Rodriguez, LHP, Altoona – DNP
12. Blake Taylor, LHP, Extended Spring Training – DNP
13. Cody Dickson, LHP, West Virginia – DNP
14. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/14 Update)
15. JaCoby Jones, SS, West Virginia – 1-for-3, 2B
16. Michael De La Cruz, OF, Extended Spring Training – DNP
17. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, West Virginia – 1-for-2, 2B, BB
18. Jin-De Jhang, C, Bradenton – 0-for-3
19. Brandon Cumpton, RHP, Indianapolis – 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
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: Robert Andino, SS – 2-for-4, HR
Home Runs: Robert Andino (1)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 4, Gwinnett 2
Starting Pitcher: Brandon Cumpton, RHP – 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Robert Andino, SS – 2-for-4, HR
Other Notable Performers:
Chris Dickerson, CF – 2-for-4, 2B
Gregory Polanco, RF – 0-for-4, 3 K
Game Notes: Though there is continued buzz about why Gregory Polanco is not in Pittsburgh, the better question may be why Brandon Cumpton is not? Cumpton has been dominant in each of his starts at Triple-A this season, boasting a 1.35 ERA. Cumpton was consistently hitting 94 and 95 MPH, as he has done much of the season. Command has been a huge part of the success for Cumpton this season. Of his 98 pitches on Tuesday night, 59 were for strikes. His two walks put him up to 10 for the season in 40 innings. His six strikeouts put him up to 21.
Polanco had a tough night at the plate, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. However the at bat that was not a strikeout, he drove in a run with a fielder’s choice. A night after his 16-game hitting streak was ended, Chris Dickerson added two more knocks. – Ryan Palencer
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Akron 1, Altoona 0
Starting Pitcher: Adrian Sampson, RHP – 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Willy Garcia, RF – 1-for-3, 3B
Other Notable Performers:
Matt Curry, DH – 1-for-4
Game Notes: Adrian Sampson had another great start in Altoona this year, throwing seven innings with one run allowed on three hits, along with a season-high eight strikeouts. Sampson has been dominant this year, with a 2.17 ERA in 49.2 innings, along with a 41:12 K/BB ratio. Earlier today, John Kokales wrote about what is working for Sampson this year. His changeup has been a big difference this year, compared to what I saw last year in Bradenton. John also wrote that he’s searching for consistency, which is something he lacked last year, especially in early innings. Sampson didn’t get much help from the offense, as Altoona combined for three hits.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 3, Dunedin 0
Starting Pitcher: Orlando Castro, LHP – 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jeff Roy, CF – 1-for-4, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Josh Smith, LHP – 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Bradenton’s offense didn’t do much tonight, but somehow managed three runs on two walks and three hits. Jeff Roy got one of the hits, and now has a hit in eight of his last nine games. He stole his 10th base of the season tonight. Orlando Castro continued to pitch well for the Bradenton rotation. On the season, he has a 2.90 ERA in 49.2 innings, with a 35:7 K/BB ratio. He’s taking a similar path in High-A to the one he took in West Virginia. He started off as a reliever with poor results, then returned to the rotation the following year with a lot of success. He could end up in Altoona by the end of the 2014 season, which will be the big test for his future as a prospect.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: West Virginia 4, Delmarva 1
Starting Pitcher: Buddy Borden, RHP – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: JaCoby Jones, SS – 1-for-3, 2B, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Wyatt Mathisen, 3B – 1-for-2, 2B, BB
Justin Maffei, LF – 2-for-5
Game Notes: Buddy Borden might not be this year’s Tyler Glasnow, but he is off to an impressive start, and he’s starting to become a guy to watch every start. Borden gave up one run in five innings, following his strong outing last time out where he threw six no-hit innings. On the season, Borden has a 2.18 ERA in 41.1 innings, with a 39:18 K/BB ratio. Walks have been an issue for him this year, but he hasn’t given up many hits, with a .185 BAA. JaCoby Jones recorded a stolen base for the fourth game in a row.
