TOP OF THE SYSTEM
A look at how the current top 30 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, 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 30 active prospects on the list. Rankings are from early season update, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player pages.
1. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Altoona – Disabled List
2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List
3. Austin Meadows, CF, Bradenton – 0-for-4
4. Josh Bell, 1B, Altoona – DNP
5. Reese McGuire, C, Bradenton – DNP
6. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List
7. Alen Hanson, 2B, Indianapolis – 2-for-4, 3B, RBI
8. Cole Tucker, SS, West Virginia – 1-for-3, BB, SB
9. Elias Diaz, C, Indianapolis – 2-for-3, RBI
10. Mitch Keller, RHP, Extended Spring Training
11. Harold Ramirez, OF, Bradenton – 1-for-3
12. Stephen Tarpley, LHP, West Virginia – DNP
13. JaCoby Jones, SS, Bradenton – 1-for-4
14. Adrian Sampson, RHP, Indianapolis – 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
15. Trey Supak, RHP, Extended Spring Training
16. Gage Hinsz, RHP, Extended Spring Training
17. Barrett Barnes, OF, Bradenton – DNP
18. Clay Holmes, RHP, Bradenton – Disabled List
19. Cody Dickson, LHP, Bradenton – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
20. Willy Garcia, OF, Altoona – 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, HBP
21. John Holdzkom, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List
22. Jordan Luplow, 3B, West Virginia – 1-for-5, 2B
23. Connor Joe, 1B, West Virginia – DNP
24. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, Bradenton – DNP
25. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
26. Steven Brault, LHP, Bradenton – DNP
27. Tito Polo, OF, West Virginia – DNP
28. Tyler Eppler, RHP, Extended Spring Training
29. Luis Heredia, RHP, Bradenton – DNP
30. Taylor Gushue, C, West Virginia – 0-for-5
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Pitcher: Cody Dickson, LHP – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Willy Garcia, LF – 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, HBP
Home Runs: Jerrick Suiter (2), Willy Garcia (1)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 10, Toledo 5
Starting Pitcher: Adrian Sampson, RHP – 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Tony Sanchez, DH – 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Alen Hanson, 2B – 2-for-4, 3B, RBI
Jaff Decker, LF – 2-for-2, 2B, RBI, BB
Elias Diaz, C – 2-for-3, RBI
Gorkys Hernandez, CF – 2-for-4, 3B
Game Notes: Adrian Sampson did not have his normal sharp stuff, but still worked his way through six-plus innings. The curveball lacked its typical break, but the change up was still strong with an average 89-91 fastball. Sampson also struggled with control early, but it settled late, as he was able to salvage the start. After loading the bases in the first Sampson was able to get a double play and was able to work around base runners most of the night as well.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: New Britain 9, Altoona 5
Starting Pitcher: Matt Benedict, RHP – 5.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
Top Hitter: Willy Garcia, LF – 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, HBP
Other Notable Performers:
Max Moroff, 2B – 2-for-5, 2B, RBI
Adam Frazier, SS – 1-for-3, 2B, BB
Stetson Allie, RF – 1-for-2, RBI, BB, 2 R
Game Notes: Willy Garcia hit his first homer of the season, as Altoona lost 9-5 on Thursday morning. It was back to the old Garcia day, as he struck out twice after the home run. Recently, he has turned into a singles hitter that has been almost impossible to strikeout, which is a complete 180 from where he has been his entire career. Thursday’s performance is what we are used to seeing with him.
Starter Matt Benedict and reliever John Kuchno both got hit around in the game, allowing a combined nine runs on 14 hits in 7.2 innings. Dan Gamache and Max Moroff each had two hits, while Stetson Allie came of the bench and had a hit, walk and scored two runs. Moroff struck out twice, which gives him ten in his last eight games. Despite the increase in strikeouts recently, he is hitting .333 over his last ten games. Josh Bell had the day off, just his third all season.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 3, Daytona 1
Starting Pitcher: Cody Dickson, LHP – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Edwin Espinal, 1B – 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Harold Ramirez, RF – 1-for-3, R
Jose Osuna, 1B – 1-for-3, RBI
Erich Weiss, 2B – 2-for-4, 2B
Game Notes: Cody Dickson had a strong stat line, although the actual results weren’t so good. Dickson was a bit wild, although he was getting opposing hitters to swing and miss a lot, sometimes at bad pitches. He did walk three batters in five innings, but limited the damage by allowing just one hit. He’s got some good velocity, sitting in the low 90s, and good movement on his fastball, so he’ll be able to get away with some mistakes at times, like he did tonight.
Harold Ramirez picked up a hit tonight, extending his hitting streak to 26 games, spanning back to last year. The addition of Ramirez has shaken up the team a bit, moving Jose Osuna to first base, and moving Edwin Espinal to the bench. That will change after tonight, as Osuna was promoted to Altoona after the game. I’d expect Espinal to be back at first base going forward.
Erich Weiss continued his strong hitting tonight, picking up two hits, including his seventh double of the year. Weiss is another talented second base prospect who has a chance to reach the majors, although his profile and upside fits more of a utility role than a potential starter. He’s got some power, but not enough to make it as a starter at either second or third base.
Bradenton got some strong innings from their bullpen tonight, with hard throwers Clario Perez and Brett McKinney giving up one run in four innings of work. McKinney closed it down by striking out the side, getting a lot of swings and misses on his fastball. – Tim Williams
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: Delmarva 6, West Virginia 4
Starting Pitcher: Austin Coley, RHP -5 .0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Jerrick Suiter, LF – 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Cole Tucker, SS – 1-for-3, BB, SB
Connor Joe, 1B – 1-for-3, RBI
Jordan Luplow, DH – 1-for-5, 2B
Game Notes: Austin Coley had his worst outing of the season, giving up five runs over five innings. He walked two batters, which doesn’t sound bad, but it’s actually the first time that has happened this season. He previously had four games with no walks and four games with one walk. Coley also threw a wild pitch and committed a balk. With the addition of Stephen Tarpley to the rotation, John Sever was pushed to the bullpen, where he will see work in long relief. He followed Coley and went the final three innings, giving up one run on five hits and two walks, with three strikeouts.
Jerrick Suiter provided half the offense with a two-run homer, his second of the year. Connor Joe knocked in Cole Tucker with a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Tucker stole his 12th base of the year earlier in Joe’s plate appearance. Jordan Luplow collected his 11th double. Chase Simpson is in a 4-for-23 slump.
