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 – 4-for-4, 2B, 3B
2. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Bradenton – DNP
3. Austin Meadows, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/22 Update)
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona – 2-for-5, 3B
5. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona – DNP
6. Reese McGuire, C, West Virginia – DNP
7. Josh Bell, RF, Bradenton – 1-for-4
8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power – Disabled List (4/22 Update)
9. Harold Ramirez, OF, West Virginia – 1-for-4, 2B, BB
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-5, SB
16. Michael De La Cruz, OF, Extended Spring Training – DNP
17. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, West Virginia – 0-for-4
18. Jin-De Jhang, C, Bradenton – 0-for-3, BB
19. Brandon Cumpton, RHP, Indianapolis – 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
20. Stetson Allie, 1B, Altoona – 1-for-4, HR, BB
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 – 4-for-4, 2B, 3B
Home Runs: Stetson Allie (7), Keon Broxton (4), Gift Ngoepe (3)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 6, Pawtucket 2
Starting Pitcher: Brandon Cumpton, RHP – 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Gregory Polanco, RF – 4-for-4, 2B, 3B
Other Notable Performers:
Chris Dickerson, CF – 2-for-3, BB
Game Notes: Though Brandon Cumpton did not have his best stuff, he still compiled a quality start for a rain-shortened complete game victory. The rain did cost Gregory Polanco a shot at the cycle, as he was a home run short in the sixth inning. Polanco is 6-for-8 in his last two games and has three hits or more in eight games this season. Chris Dickerson added two hits and now has a 12-game hit streak. – Ryan Palencer
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Altoona 10, Binghamton 3
Starting Pitcher: Zack Dodson, LHP – 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Gift Ngoepe, 2B – 2-for-4, HR, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Alen Hanson, SS – 2-for-5, 3B
Mel Rojas, CF – 2-for-5, 2B
Stetson Allie, 1B – 1-for-4, HR, BB
Keon Broxton, LF – 2-for-4, HR, BB
Willy Garcia, RF – 3-for-5, 2B
Tyler Sample, RHP – 4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
Game Notes: The Altoona offense exploded for a big night. Gift Ngoepe hit his third home run of the season. Stetson Allie hit his seventh homer of the year, which leads the minor league system. Keon Broxton added his fourth homer of the year, with all four coming in the last nine games. He has a .424/.472/.939 line in 33 at-bats over his last ten games. Willy Garcia, Alen Hanson, and Mel Rojas each had multi-hit nights, and all three had extra base hits. Zack Dodson returned to the mound for the first time since throwing 5.2 shutout innings on April 14th. The month off led to a shortened start for the left-hander. Tyler Sample piggybacked with Dodson, and didn’t allow a walk for the first time this season.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Lakeland 3, Bradenton 0
Starting Pitcher: John Kuchno, RHP – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Adam Frazier, SS – 1-for-3, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Josh Bell, RF – 1-for-4
Pat Ludwig, RHP – 3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: The Bradenton offense was quiet tonight, only managing four hits. John Kuchno struggled with his control, which has been an issue for him this season. The right-hander has a 19:21 K/BB ratio in 35.2 innings. He has walked 9 batters in 9.1 innings over his last two starts. Pat Ludwig pitched three shutout innings in relief. He has been moved to a piggyback role, making the occasional start over Orlando Castro. Ludwig has a 2.55 ERA in 35.1 innings this season, with a 28:9 K/BB ratio.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: Greenville 7, West Virginia 5
Starting Pitcher: Dovydas Neverauskas, RHP – 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Erich Weiss, 2B – 2-for-4, 2B
Other Notable Performers:
Chris Diaz, 3B – 2-for-4, SB
Justin Maffei, LF – 1-for-3, 2B, 2 BB, SB
Harold Ramirez, CF – 1-for-4, 2B, BB
JaCoby Jones, SS – 1-for-5, SB
Game Notes: Harold Ramirez returned from his hamstring injury on May 8th, then took a few days off before playing in his next game. He has now played in three straight games, so hopefully that’s a sign that the hamstring problems are behind him. He has a hit in each of his four games back, and is 5-for-19 in his return. Erich Weiss picked up two more hits, extending his hitting streak to six games. Dovydas Neverauskas hasn’t shown the best control numbers this year, with a 23:17 K/BB ratio in 31 innings of work.
