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, GCL Pirates – 2-for-2, 3B, BB
3. Reese McGuire, C, West Virginia – 1-for-4
4. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
5. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona – 2-for-5, HR
6. Josh Bell, RF, Bradenton – 3-for-5, 2B
7. Harold Ramirez, OF, West Virginia – DNP
8. Cole Tucker, SS, GCL Pirates – DNP
9. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power – DNP
10. Mitch Keller, RHP, GCL Pirates – DNP
11. Adrian Sampson, RHP, Altoona – 6.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
12. JaCoby Jones, SS, West Virginia – 1-for-3
13. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – 5.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
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-0, BB
17. Trey Supak, RHP, GCL Pirates – DNP
18. Buddy Borden, RHP, West Virginia – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 3 HR
19. Stetson Allie, 1B, Altoona – DNP
20. Gage Hinsz, RHP, Unsigned
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DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Max Moroff, 2B – 3-for-5, 2B, HR
Home Runs: Chris Dickerson (7), Alen Hanson (7), Matt Curry (4), Max Moroff (1), Edgardo Munoz (1)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Louisville 5, Indianapolis 4
Starting Pitcher: Casey Sadler, RHP – 5.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Chris Dickerson, CF – 1-for-3, HR, 2 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Tony Sanchez, C – 2-for-4, 2B
Game Notes: While Casey Sadler’s ERA is still at 2.43 for the season, the righty sinkerballer has certainly allowed some good contact this season. In eight Triple-A starts since May 9, Sadler has allowed at least six hits in five of those outings. Three of those were 12, nine and eight hits respectively. In these five starts, Sadler did have one shutout where he stretched seven hits over seven innings. However, he has allowed four runs in three of those starts and three in the other. In the three starts with four hits or less, Sadler has allowed just two runs – one earned.
Wirfin Obispo has not allowed an earned run in almost a month – since June 5. The string has lasted over nine appearances and 9.1 innings. He struck out 10 and walked three over that time frame. Obispo sits in the mid to upper 90s, between 95-97 with his fastball.
Chris Dickerson hit his seventh home run of the season, as he is playing through a dislocated finger. – Ryan Palencer
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Altoona 5, Bowie 1
Starting Pitcher: Adrian Sampson, RHP – 6.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Matt Curry, 1B – 2-for-4, HR, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Alen Hanson, SS – 2-for-5, HR
Elias Diaz, C – 3-for-5
Game Notes: Alen Hanson hit his seventh homer of the season. Matt Curry hit his fourth homer of the year. Adrian Sampson got back on track after his worst start of the year last time out. Sampson gave up just one run on eight hits in six innings, with no walks and four strikeouts. In his last start he gave up seven runs on 11 hits in 6.1 innings. Sampson has a 2.82 ERA in 99 innings this year, with a 75:20 K/BB ratio.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 6, Fort Myers 5
Starting Pitcher: Chad Kuhl, RHP – 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Max Moroff, 2B – 3-for-5, 2B, HR
Other Notable Performers:
Josh Bell, RF – 3-for-5, 2B
Jordan Steranka, DH – 2-for-5, 2 2B
Eric Wood, 3B – 2-for-4, 2B
Game Notes: Bradenton blew a 5-0 lead in the ninth inning, but won in the bottom of the tenth after Jordan Steranka scored on a fielder’s choice. Steranka reached on his second double of the game. He’s been on fire lately, with a .341/.372/.756 line in 41 at-bats over his last ten games. Josh Bell snapped a 14-game hitting streak with back-to-back 0-for-4 days to end the month of June. He got back on track tonight with three hits, including his 20th double of the season. Max Moroff hit his first homer of the year. Chad Kuhl pitched seven shutout innings for the second time in his last three starts.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: Hickory 5, West Virginia 1
Starting Pitcher: Buddy Borden, RHP – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 3 HR
Top Hitter: Jeff Roy, CF – 1-for-2, BB, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Shane Carle, RHP – 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 2 HR
Adam Landecker, DH – 1-for-4, 2B
Game Notes: Buddy Borden returned to the rotation after pitching one outing in relief. In Borden’s last start, he gave up three runs in one inning of work. He struggled in June, putting up a 6.63 ERA in 19 innings, with a 12:12 K/BB ratio. Tonight’s results weren’t the best, as he was plagued by the long-ball, but his K/BB ratio was strong. The home run has been as issue for him, with nine homers in 34 innings over his last eight games. He’s given up at least one home run in each of his last seven starts.
A-: JAMESTOWN JAMMERS
Result: Williamsport 6, Jamestown 4
Starting Pitcher: Alex McRae, RHP – 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Taylor Gushue, C – 2-for-4, 2B, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Jordan Luplow, LF – 1-for-3, 2 BB
Game Notes: Dan Gamache played seven innings for the second game in a row, getting closer to the end of his rehab from a broken foot. Jordan Luplow is off to a good start with Jamestown, putting up a 1.088 OPS in 38 at-bats in his first 11 games in pro ball. Taylor Gushue has also been doing well, with a 1.176 OPS in 56 at-bats in 16 games. He’s done an outstanding job reaching base, with a .479 OBP, and more walks (14) than strikeouts (12).
RK: BRISTOL PIRATES
Bristol was off today.
RK: GCL PIRATES
Result: Pirates 5, Tigers 4
Starting Pitcher: Gerardo Navarro, LHP – 2.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Edgardo Munoz, 3B – 2-for-4, 2B, HR
Other Notable Performers:
Austin Meadows, CF – 2-for-2, 3B, BB
Barrett Barnes, LF – 1-for-2, 2B
Game Notes: Austin Meadows and Barrett Barnes both made their second rehab appearances, playing half a game. They will each have about 3-4 more games, depending on their progression, before returning to West Virginia. Meadows has hit well in his two games, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, and two walks. We know he can hit in the GCL, based on his results last year. It will be interesting to see how he does in West Virginia, which will be a much bigger challenge. Edgardo Munoz hit his first homer of the year.
RK: DSL PIRATES
Result: Pirates 2, Angels 0
Starting Pitcher: Yeudy Garcia, RHP – 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Adrian Valerio, SS – 1-for-2, 2B, 2 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Sandy Santos, CF – 2-for-4
Game Notes: The Pirates won 2-0 behind the pitching of Yeudy Garcia, who had his third appearance in which he threw five shutout innings. Garcia is the hardest throwing starter on the DSL Pirates, touching 95 MPH. Garcia has made six starts, throwing 15 shutout innings between his best three starts and giving up 12 runs over 14 innings in his other three outings. Relievers Raymond Rodriguez and Hector Garcia combined for four no-hit innings. Hector Garcia picked up his second save. Shortstop Adrian Valerio had a double, two walks and scored a run. The double was his ninth of the season. Third baseman Johan De Jesus had the Pirates only RBI. Sandy Santos had two hits. Jeremias Portorreal and Mikell Granberry had tough games at the plate, each going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. – John Dreker
You can check out the DSL Pirates week four recap here.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
Meadows didn’t play at Bradenton today. Assuming he is either on his way to Jamestown or Charleston.
Was at the Altoona game last nite and first, Sampson did a nice job. Got into trouble in the 1st, but wiggled his way out of it and cruised until the 6th where Bowie was hitting the ball pretty hard. But got thru 6 and made some nice pitches.
Alen Hanson was really good. His HR left the yard like a rocket. I would like to see and try to understand why folks say he can’t stick at SS!! The dude is athletic, has great range, his arm is strong, he is confident in his ability, and he knows he is good. He is learning how to be a pro. I understand that kids mature at a different pace and he has had his issues, but this kid is a Beast!! His is growing up and he will be fine.
Willie Garcia had a nice game and a nice catch out in right field where he had to run a long way and reach across his body to pull the ball in!! Hellva catch!!
Hope Broxton is ok. Got drilled late in the game and limped off and didn’t return!!
I know. If he can stay at SS the Pirates will have a ridiculously athletic lineup by next June. They could be like the Reds of the 70’s.
I saw him play in AFL and he was very good, I agree he is going to be a beast, the only thing that bothered me about him is he reminds me of Phillips from the Reds, he takes routine plays for granted and seems bored until he has to make an above average play.
Players get labeled and it takes a lot to remove that label, Hanson is very athletic, but he has trouble concentrating, I still think when he learns to concentrate he will be a dynamic player for the Pirates, he is still very young.
I was thinking the same thing about him being Brandon Phillips!! LOL!!