All eight teams are on the schedule today, with a morning start time for West Virginia and an early afternoon start for Indianapolis. Both Bristol and Jamestown had their starts postponed due to weather. Each team will make up the game as part of a doubleheader later in the season. Check out the Prospect Watch from last night. All minor league transactions over the last month can be found at the bottom of the page. Click the link on each pitcher’s name for more information.
AAA: Indianapolis (51-41) vs Lehigh Valley (43-48) 1:35pm
Probable starter: Jay Jackson (5-2, 3.75)
Yesterday’s Result: Indianapolis 1, Lehigh Valley 0
Jay Jackson will make his 11th start of the season today. He has also pitched ten times in relief this year. As a starter, Jackson has a 3.59 ERA in 47.2 innings. In his last start, he gave up two runs over 6.2 innings. Prior to that start, he had three straight shutout appearances totaling 12.2 innings.
AA: Altoona (35-56) vs Erie (40-49) 7:00pm
Probable starter: Pat Ludwig (1-3, 6.14)
Yesterday’s Result: Erie 8, Altoona 4 (game one) Erie 11, Altoona 5 (game two)
Pat Ludwig will make his fifth start for Altoona and his ninth start of the season tonight. He posted a 3.96 ERA in 50 innings with Bradenton. In his last start, Ludwig gave up one run over six innings. In his previous two starts combined, he allowed ten runs on 14 hits in eight innings. In 72 innings this year, Ludwig has an 18/54 BB/SO ratio and a 1.25 GO/AO ratio.
High-A: Bradenton (45-41, 10-7 2nd half) vs St Lucie (52-33) 6:30pm
Probable starter: John Kuchno (3-8, 4.08)
Yesterday’s Result: Bradenton 11, St Lucie 5
John Kuchno will make his 18th start of the season today. He has thrown a total of 88.1 innings, surrendering 88 hits, three homers and 39 walks. He has 45 strikeouts, an impressive 2.49 GO/AO ratio and a .265 BAA. In his last start, Kuchno struggled, giving up four runs over 4.2 innings. In the month of June, he had a 3.55 ERA in five starts. At home this season, he has a 3.57 ERA in seven starts. Left-handed batters are hitting .284 against Kuchno.
Low-A: West Virginia (30-58, 9-10 2nd half) @ Delmarva (48-41) 10:35am
Probable starter: Justin Topa (3-5, 5.95)
Yesterday’s Result: Delmarva 3, West Virginia 2
Justin Topa will make his 12th start of the season today. He has also pitched five times in relief. He has thrown a total of 62 innings, giving up 80 hits, seven homers and 13 walks. Topa has 44 strikeouts, a 1.47 GO/AO ratio and a .319 BAA. In his last start, he went 3.1 innings, allowing three runs(one earned) on five hits and two walks.
Short-Season A: Jamestown (8-16) vs Tri-City (16-9) 7:05pm
Probable Starter: Montana DuRapau (0-0, 1.88)
Yesterday’s Result: Jamestown was rained out yesterday
Montana DuRapau will make his third pro start. He has also pitched three times in relief. The 32nd round pick from this year went 4.1 innings in his last game, allowing two runs(one earned) on seven hits and no walks. In 14.1 innings, he has a 1/13 BB/SO ratio.
RK: Bristol (4-13) @ Bluefield (9-10) 7:05pm
Probable Starter: Billy Roth (0-3, 5.40)
Yesterday’s Result: Bristol was rained out last yesterday
Billy Roth will make his fourth start of the season tonight. The 16th round draft pick from last year has given up 14 runs over 11.2 innings, though half those runs are unearned. Roth has 13 strikeouts, a 1.88 GO/AO ratio and a .255 BAA. Those are all strong numbers that suggest he could turn things around quickly. Poor Bristol defense has hurt Roth this year, causing him to work harder during his outings, limiting his innings. After the draft last year, Baseball America called Roth one of the best late-round signings. Check out the Bristol season preview.
GCL: Pirates (8-8) vs Blue Jays (6-9) 12:00pm
Yesterday’s Result: Pirates 2, Yankees1 1
Check out the GCL Pirates season preview.
DSL: Pirates (13-20) vs Brewers (16-16) 10:30am
Yesterday’s Result: Pirates 11, Brewers 2
Check out the DSL Pirates fifth week recap.
Recent Transactions
7/8: Thomas Harlan promoted to Altoona
7/7: Francisco Liriano assigned to Indianapolis on rehab. Brent Morel activated from disabled list.
7/7: Chris Dickerson traded to Cleveland Indians.
7/7: Justin Howard placed on disabled list. Dan Gamache and Nate Baker assigned to Altoona.
7/7: Mike Fransoso assigned to West Virginia Power. Harold Ramirez placed on disabled list.
7/7: Collin Balester has his rehab assignment transferred from GCL Pirates to Bristol.
7/7: Cristian Mota promoted from DSL Pirates to GCL Pirates. Jhoan Herrera reassigned to DSL Pirates.
7/7: Jake Burnette sent to GCL Pirates on rehab.
7/7: Edgardo Munoz promoted from GCL Pirates to Bristol.
7/5: Tyler Waldron placed on disabled list. John Holdzkom assigned to Indianapolis.
7/5: Dean Anna assigned to Indianapolis.
7/4: Jarek Cunningham placed on DL. Jeff Inman sent to Altoona.
7/3: Justin Maffei and Ashley Ponce promoted to Bradenton.
7/3: Bradenton placed Jonathan Schwind and Taylor Lewis on the disabled list.
7/3: Danny Collins and Francisco Diaz activated from disabled list.
7/3: Clario Perez promoted to West Virginia. Andy Otamendi assigned to Jamestown.
7/3: Austin Meadows assigned to Bristol.
7/1: Andy Otamendi assigned to West Virginia.
7/1: Connor Joe placed on temporary inactive list.
6/30: Austin Meadows, Barrett Barnes and Collin Balester assigned to GCL Pirates on rehab.
6/28: Stetson Allie activated from disabled list.
6/28: Omir Santos activated from disabled list. Brent Morel placed on disabled list.
6/28: JaCoby Jones activated from disabled list. Wyatt Mathisen placed on disabled list.
6/28: Nate Baker and Dan Gamache assigned to Jamestown on rehab.
6/28: Pirates release Alexander Gutierrez.
6/27: Jandy Vasquez played on 60-day disabled list.
6/26: Dan Gamache assigned to GCL Pirates on rehab.
6/26: Adalberto Santos traded to San Francisco Giants.
6/26: Danny Collins placed on disabled list. Justin Topa activated from West Virginia disabled list.
6/25: John Holdzkom assigned to Altoona roster.
6/25: Walker Gourley activated from Bradenton disabled list.
6/25: A.J. Morris placed on disabled list. Jhonathan Ramos promoted to Indianapolis.
6/24: Nate Baker added to GCL roster on rehab assignment.
6/23: JaCoby Jones and Justin Topa placed on West Virginia disabled list. Zack Von Rosenberg activated from disabled list.
6/23: Jeff Roy and Ashley Ponce sent to West Virginia. Candon Myles sent to Jamestown.
6/23: Ulises Montilla added to 60-day disabled list.
6/21: Jason Townsend assigned to Altoona from Jamestown. Matt Benedict sent to Bradenton.
6/20: Stetson Allie placed on disabled list. Kelson Brown activated from disabled list.
6/20: Carlos Paulino assigned to GCL Pirates on rehab.
6/20: Jake Brigham activated from disabled list.
6/19: Jared LaKind assigned to Jamestown
6/18: Pirates release Cody Eppley.
6/17: Jason Townsend sent to Jamestown on rehab assignment.
6/12: Nick Kingham promoted to Indianapolis. Kenn Kasparek added to Altoona roster.
6/12: Pat Ludwig promoted to Altoona. Robby Rowland activated from Bradenton disabled list.
6/10: Gregory Polanco promoted to Majors. Brent Morel activated from disabled list.
