A look at how the current top 30 prospects did today. If a player is in the majors for an extended time (Trevor Williams, Alen Hanson, Jose Osuna), or loses his prospect eligibility, he will be removed from this list. 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 more active prospects on the list. Rankings are from the 2017 Prospect Guide, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player pages.
1. Austin Meadows, CF, Indianapolis -[insert_php]
include_once (‘./p2-stats/stats_functions.php’);
display_top30(640457,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
2. Mitch Keller, RHP, Bradenton – [insert_php]
display_top30(656605,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
3. Kevin Newman, SS, Altoona – [insert_php]
display_top30(621028,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
4. Cole Tucker, SS, Bradenton – [insert_php]
display_top30(657061,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
5. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Bradenton -[insert_php]
display_top30(663647,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
6. Will Craig, 3B, Bradenton – [insert_php]
display_top30(643269,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
7. Taylor Hearn, LHP, Bradenton – [insert_php]
display_top30(621368,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
8. Gage Hinsz, RHP, Bradenton – [insert_php]
display_top30(656543,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
9. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
display_top30(592468,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
10. Steven Brault, LHP, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
display_top30(643230,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
11. Clay Holmes, RHP, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
display_top30(605280,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
12. Braeden Ogle, LHP, Extended Spring Training – [insert_php]
display_top30(669180,’P’,’20170416′);
[/insert_php]
13. Max Kranick, RHP, Extended Spring Training – [insert_php]
display_top30(668820,’P’,’20170416′);
[/insert_php]
14. Elias Diaz, C, Pirates – [insert_php]
display_top30(553869,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
15. Edgar Santana, RHP, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
display_top30(650828,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
16. Luis Escobar, RHP, West Virginia – [insert_php]
display_top30(650813,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
17. Dovydas Neverauskas, RHP, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
display_top30(596720,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
18. Yeudy Garcia, RHP, Altoona -[insert_php]
display_top30(650817,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
19. Kevin Kramer, 2B, Altoona -[insert_php]
display_top30(596012,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
20. Tyler Eppler, RHP, Indianapolis -[insert_php]
display_top30(621169,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
21. Stephen Alemais, SS, West Virginia – [insert_php]
display_top30(641301,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
22. Brandon Waddell, LHP, Altoona – [insert_php]
display_top30(663399,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
23. Travis MacGregor, RHP, Extended Spring Training – [insert_php]
display_top30(669740,’P’,’20170416′);
[/insert_php]
24. Barrett Barnes, LF, Indianapolis -[insert_php]
display_top30(608627,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
25. Max Moroff, 2B, Pirates -[insert_php]
display_top30(621559,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
26. Eric Wood, 3B, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
display_top30(607780,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
27. J.T. Brubaker, RHP, Altoona – [insert_php]
display_top30(664141,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
28. Chris Bostick, INF/OF, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
display_top30(607471,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
29. Connor Joe, 3B, Altoona – [insert_php]
display_top30(656582,’B’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
30. Pat Light, RHP, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
display_top30(572990,’P’,’20170603′);
[/insert_php]
[insert_php]
display_topperf(‘20170603’);
[/insert_php]
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20170603′,’ind’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
INDIANAPOLIS — Nick Kingham had been putting together progressively longer outings each time on the mound this season.
But he took a slight step backwards in that trend against Gwinnett on Saturday in his Victory Field season debut. Kingham allowed three runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings. He struck out five and walked two, throwing 59 of his 93 pitches for a strike.
In his previous three starts with Indianapolis, Kingham completed 5.2, 6 and 6.1 innings.
“I feel like up until tonight I feel like I’ve progressed a little better every start and went a little deeper,” Kingham said. “Overall, tonight is going to happen. You don’t want to think about it and you want to prevent it. You learn from it and maybe make some different pitch selections or have the pitches be a little sharper.”
Indianapolis lost to Gwinnett, 6-4, in 11 innings and showed no life offensively until the eighth inning, scoring three runs and later tying the game on Joey Terdoslavich’s solo home run to lead off the ninth inning. Indianapolis reliever Edgar Santana allowed a two-run home run to Ozzie Albies, the Braves’ top-ranked prospect in the 11th inning.
Kingham’s outing immediately got off to an auspicious start, needing 25 pitches to get out of the first inning. He allowed a triple, double and walk, and got bailed out by Barrett Barnes’ leaping catch against the wall in right field that took away an extra-base hit.
And Barnes’ catch came at a good time. Kingham was ahead 0-2 before allowing a triple to Ozzie Albies, and he was ahead 1-2 on Jace Peterson before giving up a double. Kingham was ahead of Mel Rojas Jr., 0-2, before he worked the count even. On the 2-2 pitch, Rojas Jr. hit a ball to right field that Barnes made a leaping catch on against the fence.
“I think they just hit good pitches. They were laying off the ones off the plate and making me throw the ball over the plate and doing damage on the pitches they should’ve. They made me work for it and make me thrown them a better hit. They were doing what they were supposed to do.”
Gwinnett had three consecutive hits in the third inning, which produced two runs. Mel Rojas singled and scored on Lane Adams’ triple. Dustin Peterson had an RBI double that scored Adams.
Five of Gwinnett’s seven hits off Kingham were with two strikes.
“I think he just made some mistakes ahead in the count,” Indianapolis manager Andy Barkett said. “You’ve got to put people away or at least initiate weak contact when you’re ahead like that. He just made some mistakes. It was a learning experience for him.”
Drew Hutchison worked around a two-out single in the sixth inning, inducing three groundouts. Hutchison would have been scheduled to start on Sunday, but was scratched in order to make this relief appearance.
As for the offense, Indianapolis didn’t have much with just three hits during the first seven innings. Gwinnett starter Patrick Weigel labored through five scoreless innings. He struck out five and only allowed three hits, but issued four walks and threw just 59 of his 110 pitches for a strike.
Indianapolis put together a rally in the eighth inning, scoring three runs and almost were in a good position to tie the game.
Austin Meadows walked and Christopher Bostick was hit by a pitch to open the inning. They scored on Jason Rogers’ double to the right-centerfield gap. That two-run double chased Gwinnett reliever Mauricio Cabrera, who hit 101 MPH in the seventh inning and was sitting high-90s.
Danny Ortiz’s flyout to deep center advanced Rogers and Eric Wood walked to put runners on the corner with one out. Josh Lindblom hit for himself, dragging a bunt down the first base line that deflected off the glove of Gwinnett first baseman Carlos Franco. Rogers scored, but Wood was thrown out on a close play, trying to reach third, and Jackson Williams grounded out to end the inning.
Joey Terdoslavich led the ninth inning off with a home run to right field that tied the game at 4.
Hutchison is not transitioning to the bullpen, but instead getting some extra rest. The same move was done with Tyler Eppler and Clay Holmes over the past few weeks.
Santana allowed the game-winning home run to Albies in the 11th inning. He ended the inning by inducing a grounder back to himself, which he very nonchalantly fielded and tossed to first base.
After the play Barkett didn’t look pleased and Santana went out of his way to exit the field at the far end of the dugout away from the coaching staff.
“That’s not something he needs to be doing. He needs to do a better job of professionalism handling a comebacker like he’s supposed to handle it. It was addressed in the dugout. He’s a young player and made a mistake. He was probably disappointed in himself for giving up a home run. But you can’t show negative emotion. He’s a good kid and he’ll be back at it next time out. I talked to him about it and it’s not a big deal.”
Gift Ngoepe started at shortstop and hit in the leadoff position in his first game back after being optioned to Indianapolis. He went 0-for-3 with three walks and two strikeouts.
He made a spectacular play in the field, going to his backside and fielding a grounder on the edge of the outfield grass, before throwing across his body to first base for the out.
Indianapolis threatened in the second inning with Danny Ortiz’s lead-off double into the right field corner. But Ortiz was stranded there after Eric Wood struck out, Barnes was hit by a pitch, and Jackson Williams hit into an inning-ending double play. – Brian Peloza
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20170603′,’alt’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
Altoona won 2-0 over Bowie on a two solo homers and some strong pitching from Alex McRae. Backup catcher Tomas Morales hit his first homer of the season and just the third of his seven-year career. The other homer was from a source you would expect. Jordan Luplow connected on his team-leading 12th home run. Luplow and Morales each added a single, while singles by Kevin Newman, Kevin Kramer and Chase Simpson accounted for the rest of the Altoona offense. Connor Joe went 0-for-2 with two walks. Jerrick Suiter also reached via walk.
Alex McRae threw seven shutout innings and he did that despite giving up seven hits and two walks. He also failed to retire the side in order during any inning, although he ended three innings by getting ground ball double plays. McRae threw 98 pitches in this game, which is his season high. It’s a total he reached four times last year after being promoted mid-season to Altoona. He had just three strikeouts on the night, while posting a 9:4 GO/AO ratio. McRae was our Pitcher of the Month in April thanks in part to a 2.12 ERA. In May, he posted a 5.33 ERA in five starts, so he was glad to see that month end.
Tate Scioneaux finished off the win with two scoreless innings to pick up his fourth save. Altoona now has a 2.5 game lead over Bowie for first place in the division. The two teams play again tomorrow.
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20170603′,’bra’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
Bradenton won 5-2 on Saturday behind some solid pitching by Dario Agrazal and nice production from the top of the lineup, which had a couple of unfamiliar names.
Agrazal went seven innings on 76 pitches in this game and allowed two solo homers, which accounted for all of the offense by Lakeland. Agrazal allowed just one other hit (a single), didn’t walk a batter and he retired 14 of the last 15 batters he faced. He posted a 9:4 GO/AO ratio, threw strikes on 75% of his pitches and had six strikeouts. He now has a 3.03 ERA in 68.1 innings and he’s gone at least six innings in nine of his 11 starts. Agrazal has eight walks and 51 strikeouts this season.
Earlier this week, Agrazal was one of nine Marauders selected for the FSL All-Star game. Two other pitchers going to the All-Star game, finished the day off for Bradenton with a scoreless inning each. Jake Brentz struck out two of the three batters he faced, while Seth McGarry lowered his ERA to 1.21 through 22.1 innings.
Ke’Bryan Hayes had a scheduled night off on Saturday and Cole Tucker jammed his thumb on Friday night, so he was a late scratch from the starting lineup. That left Logan Ratledge in the lead-off spot and Jordan George hitting second. They both had two hits, while George scored two runs and drove in a run. Will Craig had a nice game with his 13th double and his first triple of the season. He scored a run and picked up an RBI. Logan Hill, Christian Kelley and Mitchell Tolman each drove in a run. Tolman connected on his fourth homer of the season.
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20170603′,’wva’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
West Virginia lost 4-3 to Rome on Saturday night. Cam Vieaux came into this game with a 1.81 ERA, which led the farm system at the beginning of the day. He had his longest outing of the season, but he also allowed all four runs.
In his last start, Vieaux gave up three runs over 5.2 innings. In was the first time this year that he surrendered more than one run in a start. He went seven innings on Saturday, but it was still another down outing after giving up a total of six runs in his first seven starts combined. Vieaux threw a lot of strikes in this game, with a 67% strike rate, which led to no walks and four strikeouts. He was also getting his share of grounders with a 12:1 GO/AO ratio. So despite the season-high in runs allowed, there were still some strong points to his outing. His ERA now sits at 2.26 through 51.2 innings.
West Virginia scored in three different innings, failing to come up with the big hits when they had their chances. In the fourth, Hunter Owen scored on an Arden Pabst ground out. In the fifth inning, Andrew Walker walked to lead-off the frame, then scored three batters later on a ground out by Clark Eagan. In the eighth, Owen scored on a Carlos Munoz single, which was the only hit for the Power with runners in scoring position. Owen, Munoz and Alexis Bastardo each had two hits in the game.
[expand title=”Box Score” tag=”span”]
[insert_php]
create_boxscore(‘20170603′,’dpi’);
[/insert_php]
[/expand]
The DSL Pirates won their opening game by a 5-4 score. Once the boxscore has been uploaded, we will post a recap.
