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Prospect Watch: Cole Tucker Makes Debut, Bell and Ramirez Extend Hit Streaks

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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. 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 #1, 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 mid-season top 20 update, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player pages.

1. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Bradenton – DNP

2. Austin Meadows, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (5/30 Update)

3. Reese McGuire, C, West Virginia – 1-for-4

4. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP

5. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona – DNP

6. Josh Bell, RF, Bradenton – 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI

7. Harold Ramirez, OF, West Virginia – 1-for-4

8. Cole Tucker, SS, GCL Pirates – 0-for-3, 2 K, 2 BB, R

9. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power – DNP

10. Mitch Keller, RHP, GCL Pirates – DNP

11. Adrian Sampson, RHP, Altoona – DNP

12. JaCoby Jones, SS, West Virginia – DNP

13. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP

14. Andrew Lambo, OF, Indianapolis – Disabled List (5/30 Update)

15. Joely Rodriguez, LHP, Altoona – DNP

16. Michael De La Cruz, OF, GCL Pirates – 0-for-4, BB

17. Trey Supak, RHP, GCL Pirates – DNP

18. Buddy Borden, RHP, West Virginia – DNP

19. Stetson Allie, 1B, Altoona – Disabled List (6/20 Update)

20. Gage Hinsz, RHP, Unsigned

 

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DAILY SUMMARY

Top Pitcher: Jason Creasy, RHP – 7.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Adam Frazier, SS – 3-for-5, 2 2B, RBI, 3 R

Home Runs: Willy Garcia (10), Chris Dickerson (6), Jose Osuna (3), Eric Wood (2) Kevin Krause (2)

 

AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS    

Box Score

Result: Norfolk 5,  Indianapolis 3

Starting Pitcher: A.J. Morris, RHP – 3.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Chris Dickerson, CF – 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI

Other Notable Performers:

Tony Sanchez, C – 0-for-4

Mel Rojas Jr., RF – 1-for-1, BB, HBP

Game Notes: A.J. Morris has been one of the best pitchers in the Pirates system this year, but Monday afternoon was not a good day for him. He lasted just three innings, giving up five earned runs on eight hits and two walks. The Indianapolis bullpen kept the game close, with five shutout innings. This game actually had no runs scored after the third inning. The Indians got the scoring started in the top of the first with a two-run homer from Chris Dickerson. Chase d’Arnaud scored their only other run with a second inning ground out. Nevin Ashley had three hits in the game and scored a run, while Brent Morel had two hits.

 

AA: ALTOONA CURVE

Box Score

Result: Altoona 4, New Britain 3

Starting Pitcher: Zack Dodson, LHP – 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Matt Curry, DH – 3-for-4, 3B, RBI

Other Notable Performers:

Willy Garcia, RF – 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI

Drew Maggi, LF – 2-for-4, BB

Game Notes: Zack Dodson pitched well over six innings and Willy Garcia had the big hit in a 4-3 victory over New Britain. Dodson allowed two runs and picked up his second victory, while Garcia hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning off of former Pirates starter Virgil Vasquez. Drew Maggi, Jarek Cunningham and Junior Sosa each had two hits. Matt Curry collected three hits, including his first triple of the year. The home run by Garcia was his 10th of the season. He has driven in 32 runs.

 

A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS   

Box Score

Result: Bradenton 11, Palm Beach 6

Starting Pitcher: Jason Creasy, RHP – 7.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Adam Frazier, SS – 3-for-5, 2 2B, RBI, 3 R

Other Notable Performers:

Max Moroff, 2B- 3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI

Josh Bell, RF – 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI

Taylor Lewis, CF – 3-for-5, RBI

Game Notes: The Bradenton bats broke out in a big way on Monday, collecting 11 runs on 18 hits, with seven doubles and two homers. Josh Bell singled to right field in the first inning, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. After that, the team went on a tear. Bell, Adam Frazier, Max Moroff and Taylor Lewis each had three hits apiece. Bell and Frazier each had two doubles and Eric Wood and Jose Osuna each hit a home run. Frazier scored three times, while Moroff drove in three runs. The offensive outburst overshadowed a strong outing from Jason Creasy, who gave up one run over seven innings. The only run came on a solo homer in the second inning. Palm Beach scored four runs in the ninth to make the game seem closer than it really was.

 

A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER   

Box Score

Result: Delmarva 5, West Virginia 1

Starting Pitcher: Dovydas Neverauskas, RHP – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Erich Weiss, 2B – 1-for-3, BB, SB

Other Notable Performers:

Reese McGuire, C – 1-for-4

Edwin Espinal, 1B – 1-for-3, BB

Game Notes: West Virginia bats went cold on Monday and two first innings runs by Delmarva were all that they needed in their 5-1 victory. Harold Ramirez had a third inning single to extend his hit streak to 15 games. The Power had five hits in the games, with five different players contributing a single apiece. Dovydas Neverauskas gave up three runs in five inning, which ended up being his best outing since May 29th. The start wasn’t that bad, especially considering he allowed two first inning runs. Neverauskas had six ground ball outs and five strikeouts.

 

A-: JAMESTOWN JAMMERS   

Box Score

ResultWilliamsport 8, Jamestown 5

Starting Pitcher: Frank Duncan, RHP – 4.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Kevin Krause, DH – 1-for-5, HR, 3 RBI

Other Notable Performers:

Jordan Luplow, LF – 2-for-5

Carl Anderson, CF – 3-for-5, SB

Game Notes: Jamestown used a starting lineup, plus starting pitcher, that were all 2014 draft picks on Monday. They ended up dropping the contest to Williamsport to fall to 3-8 on the season. The defense was poor and starting pitcher Frank Duncan allowed four earned runs in four innings. Jamestown had five errors in the game. The offense was led by Kevin Krause, who hit a three run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning, answering a three run top of the inning by Williamsport. Lead-off hitter Carl Anderson had three hits, improving his average to .340 in 50 at-bats. Third round pick Jordan Luplow had two hits, giving him a .368 average. He has reached base 11 times in five games.

 

RK: BRISTOL PIRATES

Box Score

Result: Burlington 3, Bristol 1

Starting Pitcher: Hector Garcia, LHP – 4.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 2 HR

Top Hitter: Daniel Arribas, 1B – 1-for-3, BB, RBI

Other Notable Performers:

Nick Buckner, RF – 1-for-4

Pablo Reyes, 2B – 1-for-3, BB, 2B

Game Notes: Bristol had no answer on offense for Burlington’s pitching, collecting just three hits in the game. Danny Arribas had the only RBI and Pablo Reyes scored the only run. Hector Garcia got the start and gave up two runs over five innings. The 18-year-old lefty skipped over the GCL, after pitching last year in the Dominican Summer League. Five different Burlington runners stole a base in the game. Shortstop Trae Arbet is now 1-for-17 with 11 strikeouts. Ulises Montilla was injured in yesterday’s game when he collided with Arbet and suffered a severe lower leg injury. The game was delayed 19 minutes and he had to be carted off the field.

Check out the Bristol Pirates season preview.

 

RK: GCL PIRATES

Box Score

Result: Blue Jays 7, Pirates 2

Starting Pitcher: Dario Agrazal Jr., RHP – 3.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Julio de la Cruz, 3B – 3-for-4, 2B, RBI

Other Notable Performers:

Cole Tucker, SS – 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 K, R

Michael de la Cruz- 0-for-4, BB

Nelson Jorge, 2B – 0-for-2, 2 BB

Live Report: 2014 first round pick Cole Tucker made his debut today, although it wasn’t a memorable one. Tucker had three errors, including two throwing errors to first base. Both throws were strong, but faded to the home plate side of the bag, pulling Carlos Munoz off the bag. Tucker had a third throw that went wild, but Munoz was able to pull it in. The first throwing error came after a very nice pick on a hard hit ball that short hopped him. The throwing issues could be chalked up to first game nerves. At the plate, Tucker walked twice, but didn’t record a hit, and had two strikeouts.

Julio De La Cruz was good offensively today, picking up two hits, and making hard contact. He had a double, and his single would have been a double for a runner with more speed. Defensively, he had two short hops that both got past him.

Nelson Jorge also made his debut today, showing off some nice range at second base. The highlight was a diving stop and a flip to Tucker at second on a hard grounder up the middle. Jorge is a shortstop, but will be playing mostly second base with Tucker on the same team.

Eric Thomas Jr., taken in the 21st round, made his debut, but didn’t pick up a hit. He did show off his speed, which received 80 grades before the draft. That grade looked legit today.

Dario Agrazal looked good the first two innings, working in the 87-93 MPH range. He had some trouble in the third inning, then was removed in the fourth. We’ll have video of him tomorrow morning. – Tim Williams

Check out the GCL Pirates season preview.

 

RK: DSL PIRATES

Box Score

Result: Rangers1 4, Pirates 1

Starting Pitcher: Francis Rodriguez, RHP – 4.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Mikell Granberry, C – 2-for-3,  2 BB

Other Notable Performers:

Jeremias Portorreal, RF – 0-for-1, 3 BB

Edison Lantigua, LF – 1-for-2, 3 BB

Game Notes: The Pirates lost their sixth straight game on Monday, falling to 6-14 on the year. They were playing the Rangers1, the best team in the league, so the fact they only lost 4-1 could be counted as a moral victory. Starter Francis Rodriguez allowed all four runs, two were earned. Reliever Carlos Bustamante, who was featured in the DSL Report this weekend(see link below), retired all eight batters he faced. Catcher Mikell Granberry had two hits and two walks, while the top two hitting prospects each showed some strong plate patience. Both Jeremias Portorreal and Edison Lantigua walked three times on Monday. Lantigua also had a hit and he now has 16 walks in 17 games.

You can check out the DSL Pirates week three recap here.

John Dreker
John Dreker
John started working at Pirates Prospects in 2009, but his connection to the Pittsburgh Pirates started exactly 100 years earlier when Dots Miller debuted for the 1909 World Series champions. John was born in Kearny, NJ, two blocks from the house where Dots Miller grew up. From that hometown hero connection came a love of Pirates history, as well as the sport of baseball. When he didn't make it as a lefty pitcher with an 80+ MPH fastball and a slider that needed work, John turned to covering the game, eventually focusing in on the prospects side, where his interest was pushed by the big league team being below .500 for so long. John has covered the minors in some form since the 2002 season, and leads the draft and international coverage on Pirates Prospects. He writes daily on Pittsburgh Baseball History, when he's not covering the entire system daily throughout the entire year on Pirates Prospects.

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