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 – 3-for-3, 2B, BB, SB
2. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Bradenton – 5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K, 0 HR
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 – 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 – 0-for-2, 2 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 – 3-for-6, 2B, HR
16. Michael De La Cruz, OF, Extended Spring Training – DNP
17. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, West Virginia – 1-for-5
18. Jin-De Jhang, C, Bradenton – DNP
19. Casey Sadler, 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: Gregory Polanco, RF – 3-for-3, 2B, BB, SB
Home Runs: JaCoby Jones (6)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 5, Buffalo 2
Starting Pitcher: Vance Worley, RHP – 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Gregory Polanco, RF – 3-for-3, 2B, BB, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Brent Morel, 3B – 2-for-4, 2B
Jaff Decker, LF-CF – 2-for-4
Game Notes: Gregory Polanco has been in a bit of a slump lately, going 5-for-35 in his previous nine games, and going 1-for-15 in his last four. He got back on track today, picking up three hits, with his 15th double of the season, and his 11th stolen base. Vance Worley had an outstanding start, striking out ten batters in eight innings of work, and needing just 97 pitches on the day. Worley now has a 3.82 ERA in 33 innings this year with Indianapolis, along with a 27:2 K/BB ratio. Chris Dickerson was removed from the game in the second inning. Ryan Palencer reports that it was due to a hamstring injury.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona’s game was suspended due to rain, tied 1-1 in the fifth inning.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 3, Tampa 0
Starting Pitcher: Tyler Glasnow, RHP – 5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Walker Gourley, 1B – 2-for-4, 2B, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Josh Bell, DH – 1-for-4
Game Notes: Tyler Glasnow looked like the 2013 version today, striking out 12 batters in 5.2 innings of shutout ball, and allowing just one hit. So far this season, Glasnow has been going heavy with his fastball, and hasn’t used his curve as often. The report I got on today’s start said that his success was largely due to getting ahead in the count consistently, which hasn’t been the case in previous outings. He had a few strikeouts on his curveball, but mostly his success today was due to being aggressive with the fastball, and getting ahead in the count with the pitch. He had 72 pitches through five innings, which is more efficient than the times I’ve seen him at home. The fact that he had this much success, while still going with an extreme fastball approach, really makes this start look much better.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: West Virginia 11, Rome 6
Starting Pitcher: Justin Topa, RHP – 5.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: JaCoby Jones, SS – 3-for-6, 2B, HR
Other Notable Performers:
Justin Maffei, LF – 2-for-5, BB
Harold Ramirez, CF – 0-for-2, 2 BB
Elvis Escobar, RF – 3-for-4, 2B, SB
Danny Collins, DH – 2-for-5
Game Notes: JaCoby Jones picked up his sixth home run of the season, and his ninth double. He fell a triple shy of the cycle. Jones has an .861 OPS in his last ten games, although he’s got a .776 OPS on the season. He’s getting on base at a good rate, and hitting for good power from the middle infield spot. He’s got a .240 average in the month of May, although his walk rate and his ISO have been up. After getting multiple hits in three straight games, Harold Ramirez went hitless, but did reach twice, both times on walks. He now has a .371 OBP this season, and a .402 OBP in May, since returning from his injury. Elvis Escobar had three hits, and has been on fire lately, with a .902 OPS in his last ten games.
