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 – DNP
2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List
3. Austin Meadows, CF, Bradenton – 1-for-4, BB
4. Josh Bell, 1B, Altoona – 1-for-3, HR, 5 RBI
5. Reese McGuire, C, Bradenton – 0-for-4
6. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
7. Alen Hanson, 2B, Indianapolis – 1-for-4, RBI
8. Cole Tucker, SS, West Virginia – 3-for-5, 2B
9. Elias Diaz, C, Indianapolis – DNP
10. Mitch Keller, RHP, Extended Spring Training
11. Harold Ramirez, OF, Extended Spring Training
12. Stephen Tarpley, LHP, Extended Spring Training
13. JaCoby Jones, SS, Bradenton – 1-for-3, BB, SB
14. Adrian Sampson, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
15. Trey Supak, RHP, Extended Spring Training
16. Gage Hinsz, RHP, Extended Spring Training
17. Barrett Barnes, OF, Extended Spring Training
18. Clay Holmes, RHP, Bradenton – Disabled List
19. Cody Dickson, LHP, Bradenton – DNP
20. Willy Garcia, OF, Altoona – 0-for-4
21. John Holdzkom, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
22. Jordan Luplow, 3B, West Virginia – 0-for-4, BB
23. Connor Joe, 1B/3B – Extended Spring Training
24. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, Bradenton – 1-for-3, 2 RBI
25. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
26. Steven Brault, LHP, Bradenton – DNP
27. Tito Polo, OF, West Virginia – 1-for-3, BB, SB
28. Tyler Eppler, RHP, Extended Spring Training
29. Luis Heredia, RHP, Extended Spring Training
30. Taylor Gushue, C, West Virginia – DNP
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Pitcher: Josh Smith, LHP – 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Josh Bell, 1B – 1-for-3, HR, 5 RBI
Home Runs: Josh Bell (1)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 6, Lehigh Valley 5
Starting Pitcher: Chris Volstad, RHP – 6.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Jose Tabata, RF – 3-for-5, 3 R, 2B
Other Notable Performers:
Gorkys Hernandez, CF – 3-for-4, 2B
Alen Hanson, 2B – 1-for-4, SF, RBI
Game Notes: Chris Volstad continued his recent rough stretch, but was able to labor through six innings. Volstad pitched around solid contact most of the night, allowing seven hits. However, the damage could have been much worse, as he was able to work out of some jams. Brad Lincoln relieved Volstad and continued his strong run in his return to the Pirates system. Lincoln allowed two base runners in a pair of innings and struck out three. Bobby LaFromboise added a walk and a strikeout in his scoreless inning of work.
Jose Tabata and Gorkys Hernandez picked up three hits each. Alen Hanson added another knock, keeping up his hot hitting of late. Tony Sanchez made two throwing errors, giving him four on the year. Lehigh Valley was 4-for-4 in stolen bases. Indianapolis had 15 hits on the night, including a two-run single by Brent Morel for the walk-off win. – Ryan Palencer
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Altoona 5, Erie 3
Starting Pitcher: Angel Sanchez, RHP – 4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Josh Bell, 1B – 1-for-3, HR, 5 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Keon Broxton, CF – 0-for-2, 3 BB, 3 R, SB
Max Moroff, 2B – 3-for-4, BB, SB
Game Notes: Josh Bell homered on Saturday night for the first time since June 12,2014. He was nearing 400 straight plate appearances without a homer when you include his time in the AFL and the three All-Star games he played last year after his last homer. It was not only a big deal for Bell, but it came in a huge spot. Altoona was down 3-2 with two outs in the ninth, when he connected on a three-run shot for the walk-off win. Max Moroff had three hits and a walk, while Keon Broxton had three walks, scored three runs, stole a base and had an outfield assist. On the downside, Dan Gamache went 0-for-4 and he now has an .061 average.
Angel Sanchez was cruising along through the month of April, getting named the Pirates Prospects Pitcher of the Month, then May happened. He lasted 4.1 innings and had terrible command, walking six batters and he also made two errors on pick-off throws. He had two walks in April and gave up just one run in 22.2 innings. He came into the game with the best WHIP and second best ERA in the Eastern League.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: St. Lucie 6, Bradenton 3
Starting Pitcher: Frank Duncan, RHP – 4.0 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Wyatt Mathisen, 3B – 1-for-3, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Jose Osuna, RF – 1-for-3, BB, 2 R
Austin Meadows, CF – 1-for-4, BB
Game Notes:Angel Sanchez was the best pitcher for the entire Pirates’ system, but Frank Duncan had the best April for Bradenton pitchers. Like Sanchez, he also struggled on Saturday, allowing five runs on 11 hits and two walks in four innings. That put the Marauders down big early and they fell three runs short at the end. Wyatt Mathisen drove in two runs and Justin Maffei had the other RBI. Jin-De Jhang reached base on a walk, but he had his 13-game hit streak snapped. Jose Osuna is hitting .412 in his last ten games. Austin Meadows had a hit and a walk. He has reached base in 19 of his 20 games this season.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: Greensboro 4, West Virginia 1
Starting Pitcher: John Sever, LHP – 4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Cole Tucker, SS – 3-for-5, 2B
Other Notable Performers:
Tito Polo, CF – 1-for-3, SB, BB
Pablo Reyes, 2B – 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Game Notes: John Sever cruised through three innings, then had his worst inning as a pro. Sever gave up four runs in the fourth inning, including a two-run homer. The bright spot was his five strikeouts, which gives him 21 K’s in 18.2 innings. Cole Tucker extended his hit streak to 11 games with a lead-off single. He ended up with three hits, including his third double of the season. Tito Polo had a single, walk, stolen base and an outfield assist. Pablo Reyes drove in the only run with a ninth inning double. Jordan Luplow went 0-for-4 and struck out three times.
