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 – 2-for-5, 2B, BB
4. Josh Bell, 1B, Altoona – 3-for-3, 2 3B, BB
5. Reese McGuire, C, Bradenton – DNP
6. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
7. Alen Hanson, 2B, Indianapolis – 1-for-3, 3B, BB
8. Cole Tucker, SS, West Virginia – 0-for-4
9. Elias Diaz, C, Indianapolis – 1-for-1, 3 BB
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 – 3-for-4, 2B, 2 BB
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 – 1-for-5, 2B
21. John Holdzkom, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
22. Jordan Luplow, 3B, West Virginia – 1-for-2, 3 BB, SB
23. Connor Joe, 1B/3B – Extended Spring Training
24. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, Bradenton – DNP
25. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
26. Steven Brault, LHP, Bradenton – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 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 – 0-for-5
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Pitcher: Casey Sadler, RHP – 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Josh Bell, 1B – 3-for-3, 2 3B, BB
Home Runs: Chase Simpson (4)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 6, Lehigh Valley 2
Starting Pitcher: Casey Sadler, RHP – 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Elias Diaz, C – 1-for-1, 3 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Alen Hanson, 2B – 1-for-3, 3B, BB
Brent Morel, 1B – 2-for-5
Game Notes: Casey Sadler has shown a trend in his early starts at the Triple-A level. In each outing, he has gone at least six innings, with three or fewer runs. There was actually only one outing with three runs, and each of the other starts saw one or two runs. The encouraging thing about tonight’s outing is that he had a 1.23 GO/AO ratio, which was his best mark on the season. It also reversed a trend over the last two outings where he was getting more fly ball outs than ground outs. That’s not what you want to see from a sinkerball pitcher. Elias Diaz reached base safely in all four plate appearances, drawing three walks. Diaz has shown some strong plate patience, with seven walks and three strikeouts in 64 at-bats this year in Triple-A.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Altoona 7, Erie 4
Starting Pitcher: Jason Creasy, RHP – 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Josh Bell, 1B – 3-for-3, 2 3B, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Keon Broxton, CF – 1-for-2, 2B, 2 BB
Willy Garcia, LF – 1-for-5, 2B
Game Notes: Josh Bell continued his impressive hitting, picking up three more hits tonight, including two triples. The triples give him four on the season, which leads the Pirates’ organization. He hasn’t shown a lot of home run power at the Double-A level, but has shown an impressive bat, with a .395/.452/.568 line in 81 at-bats this season, along with an advanced 7:10 K/BB ratio. There is still a small sample size at work here. Bell’s slugging percentage has gone up 100 points in the last two games after a home run and two triples. He currently has a seven game hitting streak, which has raised his slugging percentage over 200 points. It only takes a few games to change the look of the overall results, so it’s too early to make anything of them. Jason Creasy only gave up one run, but walked three batters for the second time this season. Creasy’s biggest asset in the past has been his control and fastball command, but that hasn’t been working for him as often this year.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 11, St. Lucie 4
Starting Pitcher: Steven Brault, LHP – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: JaCoby Jones, SS – 3-for-4, 2B, 2 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Austin Meadows, CF – 2-for-5, 2B, BB
Michael Fransoso, 3B – 3-for-5, BB
Jin-De Jhang, C – 3-for-5
Erich Weiss, 2B – 2-for-5, BB
Jordan Steranka, DH – 3-for-6
Game Notes: Bradenton had a huge night on offense, with six players picking up multiple hits. JaCoby Jones led the way, with a double and two walks, reaching base five times on the day. Austin Meadows picked up his fifth double of the season. The overall stat line isn’t outstanding for Meadows, as he has a .770 OPS. However, he has reached base safely in 20 of his 21 games this year, and has hits in 17 of those games, including five straight. Jin-De Jhang has also been impressive, reaching base safely in 17 of 18 games, and getting hits in 16 of those games. Today was the fourth time this year that he had 3+ hits, and the seventh time he had multiple hits.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: West Virginia 4, Greensboro 2
Starting Pitcher: Alex McRae, RHP – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Chase Simpson, 1B – 1-for-4, HR
Other Notable Performers:
Jordan Luplow, DH – 1-for-2, 3 BB, SB
Elvis Escobar, CF – 2-for-4
Tyler Filliben, 3B – 2-for-4
Game Notes: West Virginia was active on the bases, stealing six bases in seven attempts. Pablo Reyes picked up two of those stolen bases, while Jeff Roy had three. Chase Simpson hit his fourth homer of the year, which ties him for the minor league system lead with Deibinson Romero. Jordan Luplow reached base four times with a single and three walks. He’s not hitting for a high average at this point, but his OBP is over 100 points higher than the average due to his high walk rate.
