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 – 0-for-4, BB
4. Josh Bell, 1B, Altoona – DNP
5. Reese McGuire, C, Bradenton – 1-for-5
6. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
7. Alen Hanson, 2B, Indianapolis – 1-for-5, 3B, 3 RBI
8. Cole Tucker, SS, West Virginia – 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB
9. Elias Diaz, C, Indianapolis – 3-for-5, HR, RBI, 2B
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 – 0-for-4, 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 – DNP
21. John Holdzkom, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
22. Jordan Luplow, 3B, West Virginia – 2-for-5, 2B
23. Connor Joe, 1B/3B – Extended Spring Training
24. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, Bradenton – 1-for-2, BB, RBI
25. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
26. Steven Brault, LHP, Bradenton – 1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
27. Tito Polo, OF, West Virginia – 0-for-4
28. Tyler Eppler, RHP, Extended Spring Training
29. Luis Heredia, RHP, Extended Spring Training
30. Taylor Gushue, C, West Virginia– 2-for-5, 2B, RBI
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Erich Weiss, 2B – 3-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Home Runs: Elias Diaz (1), Erich Weiss (1), Edwin Espinal (1)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 8, Columbus 6
Starting Pitcher: Chris Volstad, RHP – 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Alen Hanson, 2B – 1-for-5, 3B, 3 RBI, R
Other Notable Performers:
Tony Sanchez, C – 0-for-5, 3 K
Gorkys Hernandez, CF – 2-for-5, 3B
Elias Diaz, DH – 3-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 R
Mel Rojas Jr., LF – 3-for-4, 2B, RBI
Game Notes: Indianapolis had a crazy win over Columbus on Wednesday afternoon. Their bats collected 15 hits, but also struck out 14 times and their pitchers gave up 11 walks. Alen Hanson had the big hit in the game, an eighth inning, three-run triple that gave the Indians a lead that they would barely hold. Elias Diaz, Steve Lombardozzi and Mel Rojas Jr. each had three hits. Diaz hit his first double and first homer of the season. Tony Sanchez was the only player without a hit. In his two games back, he is 0-for-9 with five strikeouts.
Chris Volstad went five innings in his third start and allowed three earned runs, giving him a 3.18 ERA through 17 innings. He had some control issues that led to three walks and 95 pitches in his limited work. Charlie Leesman followed him and labored through 2.2 innings, giving up two runs on two hits and four walks. He threw 63 pitches, with just 28 going for strikes. Brad Lincoln faced two batters, coming in with the bases loaded and he ended up walking both of them.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona had their game rained out on Wednesday.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 7, Charlotte 6
Starting Pitcher: Steven Brault, LHP – 1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Erich Weiss, 2B – 3-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Henry Hirsch, RHP – 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO, 0 HR
Edwin Espinal, 1B – 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Wyatt Mathisen, 3B – 1-for-2, RBI, BB
Game Notes: Starter Steven Brault had a rough outing, giving up four runs in just 1.2 innings. Andy Otamendi followed him and gave up consecutive homers to the first two batters he faced. He was thrown out of the game, as was manager Michael Ryan. At that point, it looked like the Marauders were on the way to a loss and might need a position player to finish out the night. Then Henry Hirsch stepped in and threw 4.1 scoreless innings, striking out seven batters. Clario Perez threw three no-hit innings, picking up five strikeouts to get the win.
On offense, Edwin Espinal and Erich Weiss both had big games, each collecting three hits and driving in two runs. Both hit their first homers of the season. Junior Sosa drove in two runs. Reese McGuire is in a 2-for-21 slump. JaCoby Jones is 2-for-19 in his last five games.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: Kannapolis 10, West Virginia 5
Starting Pitcher: Alex McRae, RHP – 3.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Michael Suchy, RF – 2-for-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Cole Tucker, SS – 1-for-3, 2B, BB, RBI
Jordan Luplow, 3B – 2-for-5, 2B
Taylor Gushue, C – 2-for-5, 2B, RBI
Game Notes: West Virginia pitchers had a tough day on the mound Wednesday morning. Alex McRae gave up four runs in his three innings of work, then Yeudy Garcia replaced him and allowed three runs as well. Garcia did retire the first seven batters he faced and was hitting 94 MPH, so there were some good signs to his fourth extended relief outing. Nick Neumann pitched the last two innings and he gave up three runs as well. The Power did manage to look good at the plate, collecting 12 hits. Jordan Luplow, Michael Suchy, Taylor Gushue and Jeff Roy each had two hits apiece. Chase Simpson saw his 11-game on-base streak end, a streak that began on Opening Day. Catcher Francisco Diaz suffered a concussion in Tuesday night’s game and was replaced on the roster by Kawika Emsley-Pai
