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 (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-4
2. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Bradenton – DNP
3. Austin Meadows, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (5/30 Update)
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona – 2-for-2, 2 BB
5. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona – 7.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
6. Reese McGuire, C, West Virginia – 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, 2 BB
7. Josh Bell, RF, Bradenton – DNP
8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power – DNP
9. Harold Ramirez, OF, West Virginia – 1-for-4, RBI, BB
10. Andrew Lambo, OF, Indianapolis – Disabled List (5/30 Update)
11. Joely Rodriguez, LHP, Altoona – DNP
12. Blake Taylor, LHP, Extended Spring Training – DNP
13. Cody Dickson, LHP, West Virginia – Cody Dickson, LHP – 4.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 4 K, 1 HR
14. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (5/30 Update)
15. JaCoby Jones, SS, West Virginia – DNP
16. Michael De La Cruz, OF, Extended Spring Training – DNP
17. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, West Virginia – 1-for-4, 2 R
18. Jin-De Jhang, C, Bradenton – DNP
19. Stetson Allie, 1B, Altoona – 1-for-4
20. Mel Rojas Jr., CF- Indianapolis – 1-for-3, 3B
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: Edwin Espinal, 1B – 4-for-5, 3 RBI
Home Runs: None
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Lehigh Valley 3, Indianapolis 1
Starting Pitcher: A.J. Morris, RHP – 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Mel Rojas Jr., LF – 1-for-3, 3B, R
Other Notable Performers:
Gregory Polanco, RF – 0-for-4
Game Notes: For the second straight night, Indianapolis pushed it’s starter back. On Saturday, it was Vance Worley, who will now start Sunday. A.J. Morris got the nod Saturday and made his Triple-A debut. Morris allowed two runs in the first, but settled down nicely after. Morris allowed three runs and six hits in six innings of work, while striking out five.
Indianapolis was only able to muster three hits for the game, as it was shut down by former Pirate prospect Brad Lincoln. Mel Rojas, Jr. had a triple and scored the Indians only run of the game. – Ryan Palencer
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Trenton 4, Altoona 1
Starting Pitcher: Nick Kingham, RHP – 7.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Alen Hanson, SS – 2-for-2, 2 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Elias Diaz, C – 2-for-4
Live Report: The Curve lost in Trenton tonight, falling to the Thunder 4-1.
Starter Nick Kingham showed shades of his 2013 form tonight. After sitting 90-91 in the 1st, Kingham jumped into the 93-95 range and stayed there for the rest of his outing, touching 97 in the 6th. Kingham went seven giving up four runs (three earned), with eight hits, no walks, and striking out six. Tonight’s outing, along with his last handful of starts, may be an indication that Kingham’s early season issues are behind him. Jhonathan Ramos followed Kingham with a shutout 8th, striking out two.
After their offensive explosion last night, the Curve hitters couldn’t string much together tonight. Four players reached base multiple times, but only one hit went for extra bases, the team went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, and they grounded into three double plays. Alen Hanson got on base four times, going 2-for-2 with two walks. Elias Diaz bumped his average to .309 with a 2-for-4 night. Justin Howard had the only extra base hit for Altoona with a double in the 5th. As a team, Altoona struck out nine times, with Keon Broxton, Drew Maggi, and Gift Ngoepe punching out multiple times with two each.- John Kokales
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Game Notes: The Bradenton Marauders had their game suspended due to rain in the top of the fifth inning with the score tied at one. Usually we wait until the game is finished to recap it, but this was a Tyler Glasnow start and his line is obviously done. Glasnow was brilliant, allowing one run on a solo homer, which was the only base runner he allowed. He had seven strikeouts and three ground ball outs. The bad part for Glasnow is that these stats may not count. The game will only be finished if it matters for the playoff standings. Bradenton is 4.5 back in the standings right now, with ten games left until the first half of the season ends. They are also in third place, so they have two teams to surpass for it to matter.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: Hickory 8, West Virginia 7
Starting Pitcher: Cody Dickson, LHP – 4.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 4 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Edwin Espinal, 1B – 4-for-5, 3 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Reese McGuire, C – 1-for-3, RBI, 2BB
Harold Ramirez, CF – 1-for-4, RBI, BB
Game Notes: Cody Dickson has had a tough season so far and it didn’t get any better on Saturday night. He allowed five runs over 4.1 innings and issues five walks. In college, the 2013 fourth round draft pick had problems with his control. With Jamestown last year, he showed much better control, but that hasn’t carried over into the 2014 season. Dickson has walked three or more batters in six of his last eight outings. His ERA dropped to 5.60 on the season. This isn’t what you’d expect to see from a high draft pick out of a major college in their second season of pro ball, playing in low-A.
The offense was led by Edwin Espinal, who collected four singles and drove in three runs. Reese McGuire broke an 0-for-13 slump that started when his 19 game hit streak ended. He had a single and two walks. Elvis Escobar had a tough night at the top of the lineup, despite drawing a walk and driving in a run. He went 0-for-5 and struck out four times. This game featured 18 walks and 21 strikeouts.
RK: DSL PIRATES
The boxscore for Saturday’s game hasn’t been uploaded yet. The Pirates lost 10-7 to the Tigers, dropping to 1-6 on the season. Starter Nestor Oronel took the loss and top prospect Jeremias Portorreal went 2-for-3.
You can check out the DSL Pirates season preview here.
