TOP OF THE SYSTEM
A look at how the current top 20 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. Rankings are from the mid-season rankings, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player page.
1. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Indianapolis (1-1, 3.75) – DNP
2. Gregory Polanco, CF, Altoona (.270) – 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
3. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, West Virginia (8-3, 2.29) – DNP
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona (.226) – 1-for-4
5. Austin Meadows, CF, GCL Pirates (.299) – 1-for-2, BB
6. Josh Bell, RF, West Virginia (.277) – DNP
7. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona (3-3, 2.98) – DNP
8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power (5-3, 3.11) – DNP
9. Reese McGuire, C, GCL Pirates (.331) – 1-for-2, 2B
10. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia (.261) – Low-A DL
11. Kyle McPherson, RHP, Indianapolis (0-1, 19.29) – Triple-A DL
12. Stetson Allie, 1B, Bradenton (.221) – 0-for-4, 2 K
13. Wyatt Mathisen, C, Jamestown (.350) – 2-for-3, BB
14. Clay Holmes, RHP, West Virginia (5-6, 4.19) – DNP
15. Stolmy Pimentel, RHP, Indianapolis (2-6, 3.33) – DNP
16. Vic Black, RHP, Indianapolis (5-3, 2.51) – DNP
17. Harold Ramirez, CF, Jamestown (.288) – 2-for-7
18. Blake Taylor, LHP, GCL Pirates (0-2, 2.57) – DNP
19. Jin-De Jhang, C, Jamestown (.278) – 1-for-2
20. Elvis Escobar, OF, Jamestown (.280) – 4-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI
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DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Elvis Escobar, RF (.280) – 4-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Home Runs: Darren Ford (2), Gregory Polanco (6), Walker Gourley (6)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Toledo 6, Indianapolis 2
Starting Pitcher: Jameson Taillon, RHP (1-2, 3.77) – 7.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Darren Ford, CF (.235) – 1-for-3, HR
Other Notable Performers:
Robert Andino, SS (.305) – 2-for-4
Jared Goedert, 3B (.246) – 2-for-4, 2B
Game Notes: Jameson Taillon has a 3.77 ERA in 31 innings in his time in Triple-A, with 31 strikeouts. His 31 strikeouts are the most by a starter in the time since he has been in Triple-A. Taillon has struggled with his control so far, but is seeing improvements in that area in the last three starts, with eight walks in 19 innings, after seven in 12 innings his first two starts. Darren Ford hit his second homer of the year. Jared Goedert hit his 31st double and also extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Harrisburg 6, Altoona 3
Starting Pitcher: Eliecer Navarro, LHP (4-7, 4.34) – 5.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Gregory Polanco, RF (.270) – 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Adalberto Santos, 3B (.282) – 2-for-4, 2B
Alex Dickerson, LF (.285) – 1-for-3, 2B, BB, SB
Game Notes: Gregory Polanco hit his sixth homer of the year for Altoona, and his 12th of the season. Polanco also started his fourth straight game in right field. However, I’d say the chances of him getting a September callup are pretty much at zero now with today’s addition of Marlon Byrd. Alex Dickerson hit his 35th double of the year, and also stole his ninth base. Adalberto Santos hit his 23rd double of the year.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 3, Jupiter 2
Starting Pitcher: Joely Rodriguez, LHP (2.67) – 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Dan Gamache, 2B (.258) – 1-for-3, 2B, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Elias Diaz, C (.286) – 2-for-4
Jose Osuna, DH (.248) – 2-for-4
Game Notes: Joely Rodriguez now has a 2.67 ERA in 67.1 innings in Bradenton, with a 44:19 K/BB ratio. This was the second time he has gone seven innings with the Marauders. Rodriguez has given up two earned runs in 12 innings in his last two games. Elias Diaz had his seventh multi-hit game in his last ten games. This month he has a .444/.500/.528 line in 36 at-bats. Dan Gamache hit his 33rd double of the year.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: West Virginia 5, Asheville 2
Starting Pitcher: Jason Creasy, RHP (5-4, 2.79) – 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Walker Gourley, 1B (.312) – 1-for-4, HR
Other Notable Performers:
Josh Bell, RF (.280) – 2-for-3, BB
Ryan Hafner, RHP (3.11) – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Jason Creasy has a 1.55 ERA in 29 innings this month in the West Virginia rotation, with a 26:3 K/BB ratio. Walker Gourley hit his sixth homer of the year, and extended his hitting streak to six games. Josh Bell had a two hit night, snapping an 0-for-11 stretch over his last three games. With the win, West Virginia lowered their post-season magic number to three.
A-: JAMESTOWN JAMMERS
Result: Jamestown 8, Mahoning Valley 0
Starting Pitcher: Isaac Sanchez, RHP (3.40) – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Elvis Escobar, RF (.277) – 3-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Edwin Espinal, 1B (.290) – 2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI
Harold Ramirez, CF (.292) – 2-for-4
Wyatt Mathisen, C (.350) – 2-for-3, BB
Result: Jamestown 1, Mahoning Valley 0
Starting Pitcher: Buddy Borden, RHP (0.77) – 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Michael Fransoso, SS (.255) – 1-for-2, 2 SB
Other Notable Performers:
Elvis Escobar, RF (.280) – 1-for-2
Jin-De Jhang, C (.278) – 1-for-2
Game Notes: Jamestown took both games of a double-header, pitching two shutouts. They currently have the wild card spot in the NYPL, but moved to a half game back from State College in their division. Elvis Escobar went 4-for-5 on the day. With the trade of Dilson Herrera, Escobar was added to the back end of the top 20 prospect list from our mid-season rankings. He’s got a lot of upside with the bat, and is showing that lately with a .462/.481/.654 line in 26 at-bats over his last ten games. 2013 7th round pick Buddy Borden made his second start, throwing four shutout innings. Borden has given up one earned run in 11.2 innings, with six hits, four walks, and 20 strikeouts.
RK: GCL PIRATES
Result: Pirates 5, Blue Jays 2
Starting Pitcher: James McDonald, RHP (6.35) – 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Nick Buckner, RF (.250) – 2-for-3, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Wei-Chung Wang, LHP (1-3, 3.23) – 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Enyel Vallejo, LF (.320) – 1-for-3, 3B
Austin Meadows, CF (.299) – 1-for-2, BB
Reese McGuire, DH (.331) – 1-for-2, 2B
Game Notes: The GCL Pirates clinched their division today with a win and a loss by the GCL Phillies. The game was shortened by rain today. Wei-Chung Wang picked up the win with four shutout innings. Wang looked great on the mound, sitting 90-91 MPH in the first inning, but eventually seeing his velocity increase to 93-94 MPH in his final inning of work. This was the sixth time in his last ten starts that he threw four innings with one or fewer runs allowed. Enyel Vallejo extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Reese McGuire hit his 11th double of the year.
