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 (Tony Sanchez #11, Stolmy Pimentel #13). 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 (Jameson Taillon #2, Clay Holmes #12), 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 20 active prospects on the list. Rankings are from the 2014 Prospect Guide, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player pages.
1. Gregory Polanco, CF, Indianapolis – 0-for-3, BB
2. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Bradenton – Disabled List (4/14 Update)
3. Austin Meadows, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/2 Update)
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona – 0-for-4, BB
5. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona – DNP
6. Reese McGuire, C, West Virginia – DNP
7. Josh Bell, RF, Bradenton – DNP
8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power – Disabled List (4/14 Update)
9. Harold Ramirez, OF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/14 Update)
10. Andrew Lambo, 1B, Indianapolis – 1-for-4, 2B, BB
11. Joely Rodriguez, LHP, Altoona – 4.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
12. Blake Taylor, LHP, Extended Spring Training – DNP
13. Cody Dickson, LHP, West Virginia – DNP
14. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/14 Update)
15. JaCoby Jones, SS, West Virginia – DNP
16. Michael De La Cruz, OF, Extended Spring Training – DNP
17. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, West Virginia – DNP
18. Jin-De Jhang, C, Bradenton – 0-for-3
19. Brandon Cumpton, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
20. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
ORDER YOUR 2014 PROSPECT GUIDE
The 2014 Prospect Guide is now available, and is the perfect resource to follow the minor league system during the 2014 season. You can order your copy on the products page of the site.
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Mel Rojas Jr, CF – 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Home Runs: None
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Louisville 4, Indianapolis 2
Starting Pitcher: Adam Wilk, LHP – 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Matt Hague, 3B – 2-for-4, RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Brent Morel, 2B – 1-for-2, 2 BB
Gregory Polanco, RF – 0-for-3, BB
Andrew Lambo, 1B – 1-for-4, 2B, R
Phil Irwin, RHP – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: After allowing a run in the top of the first, Indianapolis starter Adam Wilk settled down to retire 10 straight hitters. However, he ran into some trouble in the sixth, allowing two more runs. Phil Irwin threw two strong innings in relief. Irwin allowed one run on two hits and two walks, one intentionally. He also struck out a pair.
Gregory Polanco had a tough night at the plate, striking out twice and grounding out weakly to first against Louisville starter Jeff Francis. Polanco appeared outmatched by Francis’ off speed pitches and breaking ball, which provide a nice test for what he will see at the next level.
Matt Hague went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the Tribe, but struck out with the tying run at third and the go-ahead run at second in the eighth with one out. – Ryan Palencer
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Richmond 7, Altoona 3
Starting Pitcher: Joely Rodriguez, LHP – 4.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Mel Rojas Jr, CF – 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Alen Hanson, SS – 0-for-4, BB
Willy Garcia, RF – 1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB
Game Notes: What should have been an intriguing pitching duel between prospects Joely Rodriguez and Kyle Crick, turned into an exhibition of missing control. The Curve uncharacteristically waited Giants’ top prospect Crick out, drawing six walks in 3.1 innings. Altoona walked 11 times in total today.
Rodriguez lasted 4.1 innings, picking up the loss. He generally worked in the 87-89 MPH range with his fastball, generating a heavy dose of ground balls in the process. The one bright spot for the Curve pitching staff today was Quinton Miller, striking out the side in the seventh, and working 90-93 MPH.
Mel Rojas Jr. and Willy Garcia paced the offense today, each getting on base three times. Garcia contributed an RBI single, along with his two walks. Rojas had a double of his own, as well as two walks.- John Kokales
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 4, Jupiter 0
Starting Pitcher: Chad Kuhl, RHP – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Adam Frazier, SS – 3-for-4, RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Jose Osuna, 1B – 0-for-4, R
Jin-De Jhang, C – 0-for-3
Game Notes: Chad Kuhl threw six shutout innings on Saturday night and continued to show impressive control this year. He had seven strikeouts and no walks, giving him two walks and 16 strikeouts over his four starts this year. All three hits Kuhl allowed were singles. He had seven ground ball outs, giving him a 1.83 GO/AO ratio this year. Josh Smith followed him with two shutout innings, giving him 9.1 scoreless frames this season. Robby Rowland closed out the win with a perfect ninth. The offense came off the bat of Adam Frazier with three hits and a run scored, plus a double and two RBIs from Walker Gourley. Josh Bell did not play.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
West Virginia was rained out for the second straight day.
