One of my favorite things to watch each year is the development of guys on the short-season teams. For the most part you want to see numbers at every level, with the results meaning more as you get closer to the majors. You’d like to see good numbers at the lowest levels, but evaluating those players is more than just looking at the numbers.
Evaluating lower level guys is largely about projection and skill. You’re not looking at how many home runs a guy hits in the GCL. You’re looking at his swing style, his ability to make solid contact, and control the strike zone, in an attempt to project the more important thing: how many home runs he could hit in the majors. This is where we’ve gotten the first looks at guys like Mitch Keller, Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, Gregory Polanco, and others over the years.
The hope is that one of the higher upside guys from the lower levels breaks out as a top prospect each year. Get enough players and you greatly increase your chances of this happening. The Pirates have a pretty good group of young players in their lower level rosters this year, fueled by top prep picks from the last two drafts, combined with a few top international guys, and a few interesting guys brought in over the offseason via trade. Below are the highlights that I’ll be looking forward to following this year.
Morgantown
The big thing that stands out for me with Morgantown this year is the development of 2018 prep pitchers Braxton Ashcraft and Michael Burrows. The Pirates have been very successful at turning raw prep pitchers into legit prospects, and they’ve got two strong talents to work with in Ashcraft and Burrows.
Ashcraft is more raw, but with more upside if he adds muscle and fills out. That might start this year, but I think his full upside will take a few years to come into scope. Burrows doesn’t have the tall, projectable frame, but he’s got some projection, and is a bit more polished right now, as was on display last week. The Pirates got more aggressive with these two than they’ve done with previous prep pitchers, skipping them over Bristol. We’ll see if both pitchers can show why they were given such a push.
The other focus for me would be on the new college draft picks, specifically Jared Triolo and Matt Gorski. This is a league filled with college players, so good numbers don’t necessarily reflect future upside, as these two would be used to a college-level league. That’s why I’d focus on the numbers for Ashcraft and Burrows a bit more, as it’s more impressive to see how they do against older competition. The league is also extremely pitcher friendly, which can make the numbers difficult to analyze for both hitters and pitchers. The key thing with the two college guys above is seeing first indications of whether their skills come as advertised.
Bristol
On the pitching side, and perhaps for the whole team, Tahnaj Thomas stands out as the big guy to watch. The Pirates traded Max Moroff and Jordan Luplow to the Indians for Erik Gonzalez and two prospects, with Thomas being the most interesting prospect in the return, and arguably the most interesting player. He’s a lottery ticket, but has a lot of upside with a projectable frame and good raw stuff (fastball that reaches high-90s and a slider that can be a plus pitch).
The pitching is the highlight of this team, with Santiago Florez being the most interesting of the rest. He’s got a huge frame and a fastball that can get up to 96, and already is off to a strong start with five shutout innings in his debut.
Dante Mendoza, the other prospect in the Moroff/Luplow return, will also be pitching in this group, giving a good first look at the third piece in that deal. And I’m really interested to see how Adrian Florencio and Luis Ortiz do after the Pirates aggressively pushed both International signings to Bristol for their debuts. That aggressive push has happened in the past, usually with guys who are much more polished and advanced than the other signings who go to the DSL.
There are some guys to watch on offense, with international hitters Jean Eusebio and Daniel Rivero being the highlights. Eusebio is raw, and hasn’t translated his tools to the stat line yet. Rivero showed some good tools in his debut in the DSL last year, and will get a chance to display his skills at a bit of a higher level than the GCL after getting pushed over the level to Bristol.
GCL Pirates
The GCL team is always fun to watch in years where the Pirates load up on prep players, and that’s pretty much every year. This year’s team will have a lot of top guys to watch, highlighted by first round pitcher Quinn Priester and second round outfielder Sammy Siani. Over-slot prep players Jase Bowen (outfield) and Ryan Harbin (pitcher) are both with the team, and will be joined by any other prep player who signs.
The Pirates have long had a trend of getting their most talented pitching prospects via the draft, and the most interesting hitting prospects from the international side. This year’s team is no different, as two of the highlights on offense are Juan Pie and Angel Basabe, who are moving up from the DSL this year. They’ll join Siani and Bowen in a talented outfield group, with the hopes that one of those four guys can emerge as an MLB prospect.
I’m also looking forward to seeing what Wilkin Ramos can do in his Pirates debut after being added in a trade for Tanner Anderson over the offseason. The Pirates added several lottery ticket type prospects (including Thomas and Mendoza from the Bristol team) and we’re finally going to get our first real look at those guys in the system.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
Today’s Starter and Notes: The Pittsburgh Pirates had off yesterday. They head to Houston today for a three-game series against the Astros. Trevor Williams will be on the mound, making his second start since returning from a right side strain. He allowed seven runs on nine hits, with no walks and seven strikeouts, in five innings against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. The Astros will send out Gerrit Cole, who has a 3.54 ERA in 96.2 innings, with 148 strikeouts and a 1.02 WHIP. He allowed one run over six innings in his last start (Cincinnati Reds) and two runs over six innings in his previous outing (Toronto Blue Jays). This will be his first time facing the Pirates since the trade.
The minor league schedule includes James Marvel going for Altoona, fresh off of him being named to the Eastern League All-Star team on Monday afternoon. He has a 2.36 ERA in four June starts. Tahnaj Thomas makes his second start for Bristol. The #12 prospect in the system recorded just one out in his debut, while allowing two runs on two hits and a walk. He removed after reaching his single inning pitch count. Bradenton will send out Aaron Shortridge, who is coming off two vastly different starts. In his last game, he allowed seven runs in five innings. In his previous outing, he threw seven shutout innings, which got him recognized as the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week.
We mentioned yesterday that Alex Manasa should be going for Greensboro, even though Luis Nova was listed to start. Manasa pitched yesterday, so today is Nova’s turn, coming off of two runs over six innings in his last outing. He struck out seven batters in that game, which tied a career high. Will Kobos makes his second start for Morgantown. He allowed four runs over 2.1 innings in his debut. Indianapolis does not have a starter listed.
MLB: Pittsburgh (36-40) @ Astros (49-30) 8:10 PM
Probable starter: Trevor Williams (4.12 ERA, 49:10 SO/BB, 59.0 IP)
AAA: Indianapolis (40-34) vs Louisville (28-48) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: TBD
AA: Altoona (38-34) @ Richmond (27-46) 6:35 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: James Marvel (3.36 ERA, 71:22 SO/BB, 85.2 IP)
High-A: Bradenton (39-34) @ Jupiter (25-44) 6:30 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Aaron Shortridge (3.95 ERA, 66:14 SO/BB, 79.2 IP)
Low-A: Greensboro (46-28) vs West Virginia (39-36) 7:00 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Luis Nova (2.57 ERA, 14:4 SO/BB, 14.0 IP)
Short-Season A: Morgantown (6-4) @ Batavia (6-3) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Will Kobos (15.43 ERA, 3:4 SO/BB, 2.1 IP)
Rookie: Bristol (1-5) @ Elizabethton (3-3) 6:30 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Tahnaj Thomas (54.00 ERA, 0:2 SO/BB, 0.1 IP)
GCL: Pirates (1-0) vs Twins (0-1) 12:00 PM (season preview)
DSL: Pirates1 (8-12) vs Rangers1 (17-3) 10:30 AM (season preview)
DSL: Pirates2 (17-3) vs Royals2 (9-11) 10:30 AM (season preview)
HIGHLIGHTS
From Indianapolis on Sunday, Cole Tucker hits his sixth home run
Before you close your eyes, we just wanted to remind you that @cotuck homered today.
That is all. Good night.#RollTribe pic.twitter.com/Vm14b0L3rs
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) June 24, 2019
Christian Kelley collects the game-winning hit
Catch nine innings. Deliver game-winning hit. Ensure no extra innings will be played on getaway day.
Have a day, Christian Kelley.@Toyota | #RollTribe pic.twitter.com/Zt4pWFfMjZ
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) June 23, 2019
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
6/24: Oneil Cruz assigned to GCL Pirates on rehab.
6/24: Yandy Vega and Hai-Cheng Gong assigned to GCL Pirates.
6/23: Jordan Lyles assigned to Indianapolis on rehab. Trayvon Robinson activated from Indianapolis injured list.
6/22: Gregory Polanco placed on injured list. Jason Martin recalled from Indianapolis.
6/22: Braeden Ogle promoted to Bradenton. Cody Smith promoted to Greensboro.
6/22: Jesus Liranzo assigned to Altoona.
6/21: Tate Scioneaux and Vicente Campos released.
6/20: Hunter Owen promoted to Indianapolis.
6/20: Lolo Sanchez and Rodolfo Castro promoted to Bradenton. Scooter Hightower assigned to Bradenton.
6/20: Chris Sharpe promoted to Altoona. Kyle Mottice promoted to Greensboro.
6/19: Pirates sign Jase Bowen and Ryan Harbin
6/19: Trevor Williams activated from injured list. Mitch Keller optioned to Indianapolis.
6/19: Hai-Cheng Gong and Yandy Vega assigned to Bristol. Emilson Rosado, Norkis Marcos, Nick Garland and Yoyner Fajardo assigned to GCL Pirates.
6/19: Daniel Amaral and Ryan Valdes placed on Bradenton injured list.
6/19: Jake Elmore placed on Indianapolis injured list.
6/18: Blake Weiman promoted to Indianapolis. Brandon Waddell sent to Altoona.
6/18: JT Brubaker and Brandon Maurer assigned to Morgantown on rehab.
6/18: Chris Stratton activated from injured list. Yefry Ramirez optioned to Indianapolis.
6/17: Pirates sign Matt Eardensohn.
6/17: Pirates sign Kaleb Foster.
6/17: Pirates sign four draft picks.
6/17: Raul Siri added to Bradenton roster.
6/16: Pirates recall Yefry Ramirez. Option Dario Agrazal to Indianapolis.
6/16: Rookie Davis sent to Indianapolis on rehab.
6/15: Pirates sign Darnell Sweeney.
6/15: Pirates add Dario Agrazal to 40-man roster and active roster. Dovydas Neverauskas optioned to Indianapolis. Keone Kela moved to 60-day injured list.
THIS DATE IN PIRATES HISTORY
Six former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, plus a high scoring doubleheader for the Pirates. Starting with the players and we have some recent ones. Paul Maholm and Aramis Ramirez are familiar to even the most recent Pirates’ fans. Maholm played for the team from 2005 until 2011 and Ramirez was with the club from 1998 until 2003. He was then traded away in a deal most people would like to forget. I’ll leave it at that and you can check the link above if you want to torture yourself. Ramirez did come back at the end of 2015 for a farewell tour, so that was fun.
Also born on this date: 1994 pitcher Alejandro Pena, pitcher John Gelnar, who played for the 1964 and 1967 teams. Infielder Bill Webb (1917), and 1929-30 pitcher Ralph Erickson, who is one of a handful of former Major League players who lived to 100 years old. He passed away in 2002.
On this date in 1912, the Pirates took on the St Louis Cardinals in Pittsburgh for two games. By the end of the day, they would collect 35 hits and outscore the Cardinals 29-7. Chief Wilson and Hall of Famer Max Carey each hit grand slams. The Pirates finished second in the NL that year with a 93-58 record.
On this date in 2016, Clint Hurdle picked up his 1,000th managerial win and the Pirates defeated the Dodgers for the 1,000th time in franchise history in an 8-6 win at PNC Park.
