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 (Nick Kingham, Jacob Taylor), 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 the mid-season update, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player pages.
1. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Indianapolis -[insert_php]
include_once (‘./p2-stats/stats_functions.php’);
display_top30(607192,’P’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List
3. Austin Meadows, CF, Bradenton -[insert_php]
display_top30(640457,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
4. Josh Bell, 1B, Indianapolis -[insert_php]
display_top30(605137,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
5. Alen Hanson, 2B, Indianapolis -[insert_php]
display_top30(593700,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
6. Reese McGuire, C, Bradenton -[insert_php]
display_top30(624512,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
7. Elias Diaz, C, Indianapolis -[insert_php]
display_top30(553869,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
8. Harold Ramirez, OF, Bradenton -[insert_php]
display_top30(623912,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
9. Cole Tucker, SS, West Virginia – Disabled List
10. Kevin Newman, SS, West Virginia -[insert_php]
display_top30(621028,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
11. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Morgantown -[insert_php]
display_top30(663647,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
12. Mitch Keller, RHP, Bristol -[insert_php]
display_top30(656605,’P’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
13. Clay Holmes, RHP, Bradenton – Disabled List
14. Stephen Tarpley, LHP, West Virginia -[insert_php]
display_top30(605501,’P’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
15. Max Moroff, 2B, Altoona -[insert_php]
display_top30(621559,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
16. Barrett Barnes, OF, Altoona -[insert_php]
display_top30(608627,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
17. Yeudy Garcia, RHP, West Virginia -[insert_php]
display_top30(650817,’P’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
18. Trey Supak, RHP, Bristol -[insert_php]
display_top30(657022,’P’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
19. Gage Hinsz, RHP, Bristol -[insert_php]
display_top30(656543,’P’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
20. Adam Frazier, SS, Altoona -[insert_php]
display_top30(624428,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
21. Willy Garcia, OF, Indianapolis -[insert_php]
display_top30(591994,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
22. Steven Brault, LHP, Altoona -[insert_php]
display_top30(643230,’P’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
23. Kevin Kramer, 2B, West Virginia -[insert_php]
display_top30(596012,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
24. Tyler Eppler, RHP, Bradenton -[insert_php]
display_top30(621169,’P’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
25. Adrian Valerio, SS, GCL -[insert_php]
display_top30(650832,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
26. Connor Joe, 1B, West Virginia -[insert_php]
display_top30(656582,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
27. John Holdzkom, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List
28. Jordan Luplow, 3B, West Virginia – Disabled List
29. Casey Hughston, OF, Morgantown -[insert_php]
display_top30(641713,’B’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
30. Billy Roth, RHP, Bristol -[insert_php]
display_top30(624517,’P’,’20150828′);
[/insert_php]
[insert_php]
display_topperf(‘20150828’);
[/insert_php]
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20150828′,’ind’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
Chris Volstad pitched seven strong innings and he also came up with a couple big hits in the 8-1 Indianapolis win. He gave up just one run on five hits and no walks, while driving home four runs with two doubles. Radhames Liz followed him with a scoreless inning, though it wasn’t pretty. He gave up three hits and struck out two batters. Liz showed some excellent control, throwing 15 of his 17 pitches for strikes. All three hits he allowed were grounders, one being an infield hit.
Josh Bell had three hits to give him a .352 average with Indianapolis. He has reached base safely in 20 of his last 21 games, with the lone exception being a seven inning game during a doubleheader. Elias Diaz also had three hits, including his fourth home run of the season. Travis Snider had two hits, scored two runs and drew a walk. Keon Broxton collected his 11th triple of the season. He has 44 extra-base hits this year. Willy Garcia is in a 2-for-23 slump, striking out ten times over that stretch. He was the only player in the lineup not to collect a hit.
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20150828′,’alt’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
ALTOONA– Chad Kuhl got the start for Altoona, and he took a 17.2 scoreless inning streak into the game with him. Over his last nine starts, Kuhl has 1.20 ERA in 52.2 innings (seven earned runs).
Kuhl worked five quick and effective innings before getting hit hard twice in the sixth (which resulted in two runs). Before giving up two earned runs, Kuhl went a total of 23.1 consecutive shutout innings. He fell 2/3 innings short of the Altoona Curve franchise record for consecutive scoreless innings.
Through the first five innings, Kuhl had a GB:FB ratio of 12:2. He faced two over the minimum through those five innings, and he worked very efficiently. He was able to stay out of the middle of the plate with his fastball, keeping the ball down in the zone the whole game.
In the sixth, Kuhl allowed a groundball single then a walk. The Curve had an opportunity to turn a double play with a groundball hit to Max Moroff, but the Trenton baserunner did a great job avoiding the tag after Moroff had to go to his left to field the ball. Moroff was forced to throw to first for only one out, which ended up being the difference in the game for Kuhl. The next batter hit a hard fly ball for a sacrifice followed by an RBI double, which was the only extra base hit Kuhl allowed on the night.
As a whole, Kuhl looked extremely good again, and he had the opportunity to get out of the game without allowing any runs if not for two rare fly balls in the sixth. He finished the game with a 15:4 GB:FB ratio. His fastball sat around 94-95 MPH, and he topped out at 97 MPH on a couple pitches. Something very unlike Kuhl tonight was the fact that he had just one strikeout. He was not able to finish out at-bats like he has in previous games, but at the very least they were hitting mostly groundballs.
In the ninth inning, Jacob Stallings threw out his 30th runner of the year to give him a caught stealing rate of 37%. Aside from one cross up in the sixth, Stallings was also very good at framing and blocking pitches all night, like he has been all season. Stallings also added two hits tonight, giving him a .270 average on the season. His best at-bat ended with him going right back up the middle with a line drive single.
Also defensively, Adam Frazier and Max Moroff combined for two double plays early in the game, which helped Chad Kuhl fly through the opposing roster twice. On one DP in particular, Frazier went to his right to field and made a very quick turn towards second. Moroff followed by a very quick catch and release to first to turn the play. Both players looked good tonight defensively, especially with all of the groundballs being sent their way. Frazier and Moroff also added one hit tonight, with their averages sitting at .328 and .297, respectively. Moroff’s hit is listed as a triple, but the center fielder never saw the deep fly ball off of the bat and it sailed over his head.
Andy Vasquez homered for the second time in as many nights. During seven games in his most recent stint with Altoona, Vasquez is batting .318 with three home runs, a double, and six RBIs.- Sean McCool
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20150828′,’bra’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
Tyler Eppler has been as good as anyone over his last four starts. Including tonight’s performance, he has thrown 26.2 innings without allowing an earned run. During that span, he has allowed 16 hits and three walks. This game included something that has been missing from most of his starts. Coming into this outing, he had an 0.90 GO/AO ratio, which is one of the lower ones among starters in the system. He improved great out that, with a 10:0 GO/AO ratio in this game. Eppler lowered his season ERA to 2.58 through 66.1 innings.
Bradenton kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 5-3 victory in 11 innings. Chris Diaz had a big day and the big hit in this game. His two-run triple in the 11th was the difference in the score. He had three hits and a walk, drove in a total of three runs and stole his seventh base of the season. Austin Meadows had just one hit, his 21st double of the year. He also picked up his 19th stolen base. Justin Maffei had three hits, scored once and picked up an RBI. Trace Tam Sing scored two runs. Edwin Espinal returned from a two-week trip to the disabled list and went 0-for-3 with a walk, leaving for a pinch-runner in the ninth.
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20150828′,’wva’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
Alex McRae gave up one run over seven innings in his last start. Right before that, he had three starts in which he gave up 17 runs on 29 hits in 15.2 innings. In this game, he added another solid performance, allowing one run over six innings. He gave up five hits, one walk and hit a batter. McRae hasn’t had a good season overall, even before those three straight poor outings. With two straight strong starts, he still has a 4.81 ERA this season.
Kevin Kramer is now 0-for-11 in three games with West Virginia, after collecting five hits in his last game with Morgantown. Kevin Newman hit his first triple for West Virginia, and second as a pro. He also scored a run, drew a walk and drove in two runs. The Power had eight hits and three walks, with Connor Joe being the only player in the lineup not to reach base. They scored all five of their runs in the fourth inning, the same frame that Augusta scored their only run. West Virginia had five hits in the inning, with Newman’s two-run triple being the big hit. He scored right after that on a passed ball.
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20150828′,’wev’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
Dario Agrazal Jr. allowed two runs over five innings in this game, keeping his streak alive of going at least five innings with three earned runs or less in every start this season. He had a poor second inning, allowing three doubles in the frame, accounting for both runs. Agrazal also had some rare command issues throughout the game, hitting three batters. His 2.83 ERA is the sixth best in the NYPL and the best on Morgantown.
It seems like a lot of the game recaps recently have been about how bad the offense has been and this game was no different. Morgantown had five hits, all singles. They drew three walks and went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Their only run needed help from a two-base throwing error and a passed ball. Casey Hughston had a sacrifice fly, but he also couldn’t come through in a big spot. The Black Bear loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth, collecting a single and two walks. Hughston could have made it a game with one swing. Instead, he grounded out to shortstop to end the game with a 6-1 loss. It was a big defeat for Morgantown, as they came into the day with a 1.5 game lead in the wild card.
Christian Kelley went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. He has been hitting well lately, reaching base in each of his previous 13 games. Albert Baur scored the only run after reaching on an error. He also collected two walks.
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20150828′,’bri’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
Trey Supak made his eighth start of the season on Friday night. Unless he gets moved up to Morgantown, this was his last game of the season, as Bristol plays finishes their season up on Tuesday. He missed some time with shoulder soreness and ended up with only 28.1 innings, though he got some pitching in during Extended Spring Training and he will pitch in the Fall Instructional League next month. Supak had a tough time closing out his performance in this one. He looked great through four innings, giving up two hits and a walk, but no runs. In the fifth, he ended up allowing four earned runs on four hits, with one of the runs scoring after he left for a reliever with two outs. Pulaski ended up scoring seven runs in the inning.
Bristol came from behind the win this game, overcoming a five run deficit to pull out a 10-9 victory. Jordan Goerge has been the best hitter for the team in August and he had a big game, going 4-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored. He is hitting .347 in 98 at-bats, with 14 extra-base hits and a 19:15 BB/SO ratio. Nick Buckner drove in four runs, hitting his ninth double and second triple. In his third game since being promoted from the GCL, Raul Siri had three hits, scored once and drove in a run from the lead-off spot. Sandy Santos scored two runs, hit his 11th double and fourth triple. The Pirates had 17 hits in the game.
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20150828′,’pir’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
The GCL Pirates broke an 11-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory, as Sam Kennelly hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning to put them on top. This game had no hits on either side through three innings, with 18-year-old lefty Ike Schlabach looking very strong early. He ran into trouble in the fourth, giving up two runs. Schlabach ended up with his longest outing and it was a decent intro to pro ball for the 19th round pick, who signed an over-slot deal. He pitched four times this season, with a 5.40 ERA in 11.2 innings. He obviously didn’t dominate with that ERA or his 1.46 WHIP, but he has huge upside with a fastball that hits low-90’s and a 6’5″ frame that makes him highly projectable.
The homer for Kennelly was his first as a pro, and just the tenth of the season for the Pirates. No one on the team has more than two home runs. Michael de la Cruz had a nice game with a walk, single, RBI and run scored. He has drawn nine walks in his last nine games, and he has reached base in ten straight games.
Nick Hutchings finished off his season by striking out the side in the fifth inning. That gave him ten strikeouts in 8.1 innings this season, after striking out a batter every other inning last year(24 K’s in 47.1 IP). He missed the beginning of the year due to a shoulder injury.
Chris Plitt picked up the win, throwing the last four innings. The 14th round pick from this year, finished with a 2.88 ERA in 40.1 innings. It’s possible he moves up to get in another appearance or two, as he is a college player and has pitched very well lately against the younger competition.
The Pirates wrap up their season on Saturday.
The DSL Pirates have completed their season. You can read our full season recap here, with reports on 41 different players. There is also a list of 12 players to watch, which can be found here.
