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 – 2-for-4, 2B, HR, BB
2. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Bradenton – DNP
3. Austin Meadows, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/22 Update)
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona – DNP
5. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona – DNP
6. Reese McGuire, C, West Virginia – 3-for-5
7. Josh Bell, RF, Bradenton – 3-for-4, 2 2B, BB
8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power – Disabled List (4/22 Update)
9. Harold Ramirez, OF, West Virginia – 1-for-6
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 – 2-for-2, 3 BB
16. Michael De La Cruz, OF, Extended Spring Training – DNP
17. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, West Virginia – 1-for-4, 2B, BB
18. Jin-De Jhang, C, Bradenton – 0-for-4
19. Brandon Cumpton, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
20. Stetson Allie, 1B, Altoona – 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: Chase d’Arnaud, LF – 3-for-4, 3B, HR
Home Runs: Gregory Polanco (5), Matt Hague (3), Danny Collins (2), Chase d’Arnaud (1)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 14, Norfolk 3
Starting Pitcher: Vance Worley, RHP – 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Chase d’Arnaud, LF – 3-for-4, 3B, HR
Other Notable Performers:
Gregory Polanco, RF – 2-for-4, 2B, HR, BB
Matt Hague, 1B – 2-for-4, HR
Chris Dickerson, CF – 2-for-4
Game Notes: Though Brandon Cumpton was originally listed as the starter, Vance Worley filled in nicely. Worley allowed just six hits and two runs over seven innings. He struck out six and has still yet to walk a hitter in both of his starts, spanning 13 innings. Though there was no word about why he missed the start, Cumpton was just pushed back one day and is the scheduled starter on Tuesday. Gregory Polanco broke out of a 1-for-16 slump with a pair of hits – a home run and a double. Chase d’Arnaud was a double away from the cycle and Tyler Waldron threw another scoreless inning, lowering his ERA to 0.82 on the season at Triple-A. – Ryan Palencer
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona was off today.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Lakeland 4, Bradenton 3
Starting Pitcher: Chad Kuhl, RHP – 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Josh Bell, DH – 3-for-4, 2 2B, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Eric Wood, 3B – 1-for-5
Game Notes: Josh Bell had a big night at the plate, picking up three hits, including two doubles. All three hits went to left field, and were well struck. The first double was ripped down the third base line, and gave the Marauders a 1-0 lead. Bell followed that up with a single between the third baseman and shortstop. Both hits came from the right side against a lefty, which is encouraging, since Bell has struggled against left-handers this year. His third hit was from the left side, and he went opposite field for a double to the gap, bringing in the tying run in the 8th inning. The Marauders were down 4-3 in the 10th inning when Bell came up with two outs and a runner on second. Lakeland intentionally walked him, which made sense with the way he was hitting tonight.
Chad Kuhl ran into trouble tonight early in the game, struggling with his control on his extension fastball inside to left-handers. Kuhl hit three batters in the early innings, including two left-handers. He did a great job the rest of the night with his sinker, with a 9:1 GO/AO ratio. He was working mostly in the 92-93 MPH range with his fastball, touching as high as 96.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: West Virginia 10, Greenville 3
Starting Pitcher: Justin Topa, RHP – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Reese McGuire, C – 3-for-5
Other Notable Performers:
JaCoby Jones, SS – 2-for-2, 3 BB
Danny Collins, DH – 1-for-3, HR, 2 BB
Wyatt Mathisen, 3B – 1-for-4, 2B, BB
Game Notes: Justin Topa made his fourth start in the West Virginia rotation. He has combined for a 4.79 ERA in 20.2 innings, with a 15:3 K/BB ratio. Reese McGuire picked up three hits, and is now hitting for a .342 average over his last ten games, including a six game hitting streak. He hasn’t hit for any power during this stretch, will all 13 hits going for singles. Danny Collins hit his second homer of the year.
