Since April has now ended, we look back at the month by checking the team leaders throughout the system. Of particular note on this list, compare the batting average leaders to the OPS leaders. Also, power is clearly lacking, while two teams have surprisingly low stolen base numbers. On the pitching side, you’ll notice Indianapolis has something the other three clubs lack, while Altoona and Bradenton each have a pitcher standing out above the rest.
Average (minimum 30 plate appearances)
Indianapolis: Jason Rogers .366
Altoona: Erich Weiss .294
Bradenton: Kevin Newman .360
West Virginia: Ke’Bryan Hayes .343
OPS (minimum 30 plate appearances)
Indianapolis: Jason Rogers 1.118
Altoona: Erich Weiss .878
Bradenton: Kevin Newman .870
West Virginia: Ke’Bryan Hayes .826
Home Runs
Indianapolis: Jason Rogers, Josh Bell, Max Moroff 3
Altoona: Jose Osuna 4
Bradenton: Taylor Gushue, Pablo Reyes 2
West Virginia: Daniel Arrias 3
Stolen Bases
Indianapolis: Adam Frazier 9
Altoona: Barrett Barnes 2
Bradenton: six players with 2
West Virginia: Tito Polo 8
ERA (minimum 15 innings pitched)
Indianapolis: Chad Kuhl 1.31
Altoona: Tyler Eppler 3.33
Bradenton: Brandon Waddell 0.93
West Virginia: Mitch Keller 0.86
Strikeouts
Indianapolis: Tyler Glasnow 30
Altoona: Tyler Eppler 17
Bradenton: Brandon Waddell 26
West Virginia: JT Brubaker 33
WHIP (minimum 15 innings pitched)
Indianapolis: Jameson Taillon 0.86
Altoona: Tyler Eppler 1.11
Bradenton: Brandon Waddell 0.52
West Virginia: Mitch Keller 0.62
PIRATES GAME GRAPH
Source: FanGraphs
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
Today’s Starter and Notes: The Pirates won 5-1 on Saturday night over the Reds. Jeff Locke gets the ball today, making his fifth start. He faced the Reds in his season debut and allowed one run over six innings. In his last start, he threw six shutout innings. The Reds will counter with Raisel Iglesias making his sixth start. His best start was against the Pirates on April 9th when he allowed one run over 5.2 innings. He has a 3.49 ERA in 28.1 innings. Iglesias was scratched in favor of Tim Adleman, a 28-year-old righty making his MLB debut.
In the minors, it’s a good day for prospects as two Tylers look to continue their early success, while Yeudy Garcia tries to get on track. Tyler Glasnow goes for Indianapolis for the fifth time. As you saw above, he leads the system with 30 strikeouts. He had 11 in his last outing, which ties Steven Brault for the highest single game total this year. Tyler Eppler has only issued three walks this season and he has gone at least six innings in each start. Yeudy Garcia lasted just 29 pitches in his last game, failing to get out of the first inning.
West Virginia was rained out yesterday. They will play a doubleheader today with Bret Helton starting one of the games.
MLB: Pittsburgh (15-9) vs Reds (9-15) 1:35 PM
Probable starter: Jeff Locke (5.03 ERA, 15:15 BB/SO, 19.2 IP)
AAA: Indianapolis (11-10) @ Norfolk (9-14) 1:35 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Tyler Glasnow (2.57 ERA, 7:30 BB/SO, 21.0 IP)
AA: Altoona (9-13) @ Akron (14-8) 2:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Tyler Eppler (3.33 ERA, 3:17 BB/SO, 24.1 IP)
High-A: Bradenton (10-13) @ Jupiter (10-13) 1:00 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Yeudy Garcia (5.40 ERA, 10:16 BB/SO, 13.1 IP)
Low-A: West Virginia (15-7) vs Asheville (8-13) 1:05 PM DH (season preview)
Probable starter: Bret Helton (4.67 ERA, 6:14 BB/SO, 17.1 IP) and TBD
HIGHLIGHTS
Here is a home run from Max Moroff, his third of the season, which is tied for the team lead.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
4/30: Jared Hughes activated from the disabled list. Rob Scahill sent to Indianapolis.
4/27: Sam Street placed on the temporary inactive list. Jose Regalado added to Bradenton.
4/25: Pedro Florimon added to Indianapolis roster. Antoan Richardson released.
4/25: Austin Meadows added to Altoona roster. Justin Maffei assigned to Morgantown.
4/25: Jake Burnette placed on disabled list. Logan Ratledge assigned to West Virginia.
4/22: Pirates recall Jason Rogers. Cole Figueroa optioned to Indianapolis.
4/21: Pirates release Michael Morse.
4/21: Jhondaniel Medina assigned to Altoona.
4/21: Cory Luebke assigned to Indianapolis on rehab.
4/20: Jared Hughes assigned to Indianapolis on rehab.
4/19: Julio Vivas added to West Virginia roster. Logan Ratledge assigned to Morgantown.
4/18: Jung-ho Kang assigned to Indianapolis on rehab.
4/16: Trevor Williams placed on disabled list. Jhondaniel Medina promoted to Indianapolis.
THIS DATE IN PIRATES HISTORY
Seven former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, plus a trade of note. The most recognizable player born on this date is second baseman Jose Lind, who was a member of the three NL East championship teams from 1990-92. He played 779 games over six seasons and won a Gold Glove in 1992. Lind hit homers during the 1990 and 1992 NLCS series, driving in a total of ten runs over the three years of playoffs.
One interesting set of players born on this date are Bill White and Tom Forster. They shared a birthday and a position during their only year with the team. Both played shortstop for Pittsburgh in 1884 when they were called the Alleghenys and they were still in the American Association, a rival Major League to the National League. Forster was born one year earlier.
Others born on this date include: Second baseman Johnny Berardino (1950,52), pitcher Heinie Meine (1929-34), catcher Billy Kelly (1911-13) and pitcher George McQuillan (1913-15). More on all of them in the link above.
On this date in 1957, the Pirates traded first baseman Dale Long and outfielder Lee Walls to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for first baseman Dee Fondy and infielder Gene Baker. By the end of the year, Fondy would be dealt to the Cincinnati Reds for slugging first baseman Ted Kluszewski. Baker was a backup during the 1960 season, when the Pirates won their third World Series title.