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-5
2. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Bradenton – DNP
3. Austin Meadows, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/22 Update)
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona – 2-for-4, 2B
5. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona – DNP
6. Reese McGuire, C, West Virginia – 1-for-4
7. Josh Bell, RF, Bradenton – 1-for-5
8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power – Disabled List (4/22 Update)
9. Harold Ramirez, OF, West Virginia – DNP
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 – 0-for-3, BB
16. Michael De La Cruz, OF, Extended Spring Training – DNP
17. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, West Virginia – 2-for-4, 2B
18. Jin-De Jhang, C, Bradenton – DNP
19. Brandon Cumpton, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
20. Stetson Allie, 1B, Altoona – 0-for-4, BB, K
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: Eric Wood, 3B – 4-for-5, 2B, 3B
Home Runs: Nevin Ashley (2), Jacob Stallings (1)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Norfolk 10, Indianapolis 7
Starting Pitcher: Casey Sadler, RHP – 4.2 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Nevin Ashley, C – 2-for-4, HR
Other Notable Performers:
Jaff Decker, LF – 2-for-4, 2 2B
Chris McGuiness, 1B – 2-for-4, 2B
Chase d’Arnaud, DH – 2-for-4, 3B
Phil Irwin, RHP – 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: In his first start since returning from Pittsburgh, Casey Sadler ran into trouble. He allowed 12 hits, nine of which were singles. Though Sadler did allow four earned runs, he also struck out five. Jaff Decker and Nevin Ashley continued their hot hitting. Decker had a pair of doubles and a run, while Ashley added two hits, including a home run. Phil Irwin tossed 1.1 scoreless innings. It was his third straight scoreless appearance with a trip to Pittsburgh tossed in the middle. For just the fourth time this season, Gregory Polanco failed to reach base. – Ryan Palencer
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Akron 8, Altoona 4
Starting Pitcher: Tyler Sample, RHP – 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Keon Broxton, LF – 2-for-3, 2B, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Alen Hanson, SS – 2-for-4, 2B
Gift Ngoepe, 2B – 2-for-5
Brandon Mann, LHP – 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Tyler Sample had control problems, and left the first inning after throwing 31 pitches, with just one out. Brandon Mann came on in relief, and had a decent outing, dominating with eight strikeouts. Keon Broxton remains hot, extending his hitting streak to nine games. He has six multi-hit games and is 16-for-31 with four doubles, two triples, and three homers during that stretch. Alen Hanson got back on track with a two hit night, after going 0-for-9 his previous two games.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Charlotte 6, Bradenton 5
Starting Pitcher: Jason Creasy, RHP – 4.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Eric Wood, 3B – 4-for-5, 2B, 3B
Other Notable Performers:
D.J. Crumlich, 1B – 2-for-4, BB
Jacob Stallings, C – 1-for-3, HR, BB
Orlando Castro, LHP – 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Jason Creasy struggled tonight, after looking good in his previous two outings. Creasy combined for one run in 10.2 innings in his last two starts, with ten strikeouts and no walks. This time around he gave up four earned runs on eight hits in four innings. Orlando Castro made his first appearance in relief, giving up one run in four innings. Castro and Pat Ludwig should continue rotating between the fifth starter and piggyback roles, as Bradenton currently has six starters for five spots. Eric Wood had been struggling a bit recently, going 6-for-34 in his previous nine games. He had a huge night tonight, getting four hits and two extra base hits.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: Savannah 5, West Virginia 1
Starting Pitcher: Shane Carle, RHP – 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Wyatt Mathisen, 3B – 2-for-4, 2B
Other Notable Performers:
Erich Weiss, 2B – 1-for-3, BB
Henry Hirsch, RHP – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Wyatt Mathisen continued his hot hitting with two hits. He has a .333/.366/.615 line in 39 at-bats over his last ten games, with three homers and two doubles. Shane Carle had some tough luck tonight, giving up five runs, but only one earned. All five runs came in the fourth inning. Danny Collins had an error to lead off the inning, then Carle followed with two singles. A sacrifice fly and a pop out should have ended the inning with just one run allowed had it not been for the error. Two singles, a triple, and a throwing error brought in the other runs. Henry Hirsch has been pitching a lot of long relief appearances, and has given up three earned runs in 21.1 innings over his last eight appearances (dating back to his first three inning outing). He can hit the mid-90s with his fastball, and he could be a candidate to move to the rotation in the second half if a spot opens.
