PIRATES PROSPECTSPITTSBURGH PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ARTICLES

A couple of middle infielders to look at today, who fall somewhere between "prospects" and "veterans":

Shelby Ford was the Pirates' 3rd round pick in the 2006 draft. �His career has been plagued by injuries, including back injuries, hip flexors, and a sprained wrist. �When he was healthy in 2008, Ford hit .285, with 23 doubles, 10 triples, 4 homers, and 32 RBI, but that came in only 81 games. �He was assigned to the Arizona Fall League in the fall of 2008, and hit .294 there, with 3 homers and 11 RBI. �Ford was invited to major league camp for spring training in 2009, and guess what happened there ? �He got hurt, of course -- the sprained wrist, which delayed his start to the 2009 season by a week or so.

The Texas native was assigned to AAA Indianapolis when he got off the Disabled List, and got off to a slow start. �In fact, the wrist was still bothering him, and he had to sit out a number of games in the second half of the month. �He got going in the first week of May, going 8-for-23 over the first few days, but then slumped again, and finished May with a .168 average. �Unfortunately, June wasn't any better, with a .154 average, and only 4 RBI. �Ford had some better luck in July, with several multi-hit games, including a 5-for-5 game on July 5th in Norfolk (one homer, four singles). �That gave him a .259 average for July, but couldn't boost his season average enough. �On August 5th, Ford was reassigned to AA Altoona, leaving behind a .188 average in Indianapolis, with 11 doubles, 4 triples, 4 homers, and 27 RBI in 86 games. �He finished the season with the Curve, playing in 29 games over the last month of the season. �Ford went 8-for-24 in his first week in Altoona, but slipped after that. �He finished the season with a .233 average for the Curve, including 2 homers and 17 RBI.

Ford was not invited back to major league camp in 2010, and it's clear that he took a big step backwards last season. �He did get to come up from minor league camp for three Grapefruit League games in March, and had a single and a triple in three plate appearances. �With a crowded middle infield in Indianapolis already -- Brian Friday, Argenis Diaz, Doug Bernier, and even Neil Walker trying out second base -- Ford might not be back in Indianapolis for the start of the 2010 season. �The infield in Altoona is going to be busy too, with Chase d'Arnaud, Jordy Mercer, and Josh Harrison. �At 25 years old, Ford is going to need to stay healthy and get his bat going quickly if he hopes to stick around and not slip further out of the picture.

Philadelphia Phillies �5, �Pittsburgh Pirates (and Altoona Curve) 3 (box)

Several members of the Altoona Curve traveled north with the Pirates to play in two games at Citizens' Bank Park in Philadelphia. �The starting lineup was about what the Pirates' starting nine will be on Opening Day, except for the pitcher -- Zach Duke will be the Opening Day starter, and Ross Ohlendorf made tonight's start. �Unfortunately, it was not a good night for Ohlendorf. �He began the game by giving up a double and two singles to the first three batters he faced, bringing in one run. �He did settle down at that point and retire the next 8 batters he faced, but then surrendered a single and a 2-run homer to Ryan Howard in the 3rd inning. �Back-to-back doubles brought in another run in the 4th, and Chase Utley added a solo home run in the 5th. �Three relievers, Javier Lopez, DJ Carrasco, and Evan Meek each pitched a scoreless inning when Ohlendorf headed to the showers after 5 innings (9 hits, no walks, 5 runs, 3 strikeouts).

The Pirates' 3 runs all came in the 3rd inning, with the major league starters still in the game. �With one out, CF Andrew McCutchen doubled into left field, and he scored on RF Garrett Jones' liner into center field. �Jones advanced to second base on the throw in from the outfield, which was not even close as McCutchen streaked towards the plate. �LF Lastings Milledge brought Jones in from second base with another line drive into center. �Milledge stole second base, then he scored from there when 1B Jeff Clement singled. �The Pirates posted a total of 10 hits, with McCutchen picking up a second hit, and 3B Andy LaRoche also singling twice. �Ross Ohlendorf also had a hit.

From the Curve, two players got into the game: �2B Chase d'Arnaud and LF Miles Durham. They each had a turn at the plate in the 9th inning, but both grounded out. �Still, they got to play on a major league field, and were clearly having fun.

The Pirates have announced that starting pitcher Virgil Vasquez was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, for a player-to-be-named-later.

Vasquez had been invited to spring training with the Pirates and was being considered for a spot in the starting rotation. �But, he did not fare well in three appearances early in March, as he allowed 6 earned runs and 9 hits in just 2.1 innings. �He was reassigned to the minor league camp on March 15th. Vasquez had been expected to start 2010 in the Indianapolis starting rotation, where he made 19 starts and earned a 7-4 record and a 3.93 ERA in 2009. �No word yet about the Rays' plans for Vasquez. �We could see him again when the Indy Indians play the Durham Bulls in late June.

We've looked at a lot of prospects, and now there are a few players left -- mostly veterans, who will likely be playing in Indianapolis in 2010. �Today, a couple of relief pitchers:

Vinnie Chulk is a 31-year old righty, who signed as a minor league free agent with the Pirates during the December Winter Meetings. �The Blue Jays drafted Chulk out of college as their 12th round pick in 2000. �Over the next several years, he pitched in the Toronto organization, including parts of 4 seasons in the majors. �He was traded to the Giants in 2006, and finished that season in their bullpen, then continued to pitch in San Francisco in 2007 and in both San Francisco and AAA Fresno in 2008. �In 2009, Chulk signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians. �He was in the Cleveland bullpen by mid-April, and made 8 relief appearances there over the season, going 12 innings and allowing 5 earned runs on 10 hits, with 10 walks and 4 strikeouts. �For most of 2009, Chulk was stationed in the bullpen for the AAA Columbus Clippers, though he missed some time while on the Disabled List with an ankle strain. �He pitched well in Columbus, making 18 relief appearances (21.2 innings) and allowing 5 earned runs on 22 hits for a 1-0 record, 4 saves, and a 2.08 ERA. �He got the walks back down -- just 7 -- and struck out 16 batters.

The Pirates have dealt minor league pitcher Virgil Vasquez to the Rays for a player to be named later.

Phillies 4, �Pirates 2 �(box)

The Pirates left their Florida home and headed north this evening, after a loss in their last Grapefruit League game. �Once again, the Pirates' batters struggled to get hits, managing only 6. �Two of them were solo home runs: �the first by RF Ryan Church in the top of the 1st inning, and the second by C Ryan Doumit in the 4th inning. �There were two doubles, one by minor leaguer PR/LF Miles Durham, and one by SS Ronny Cedeno; LF Lastings Milledge and 1B Jeff Clement both singled.

Starter Daniel McCutchen pitched 5.1 innings and gave up 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks, with 3 strikeouts. �The Phillies' first run, in the bottom of the 1st, may have initially been ruled unearned, but became earned when the ball that got past a diving 1B Jeff Clement was changed from an error to a hit. �A hit batter, a stolen base, and an RBI single brought in the run to tie the score at 1-1. �In the 2nd inning, a hit fell in between RF Church and 2B Aki Iwamura, then a walk and a single that brought the run in. �The throw in from CF Andrew McCutchen in short center field, sailed over and past C Doumit at the plate. �Doumit's homer tied the score again, at 2-2.

Daniel McCutchen started the 6th inning with an out and a walk, and that gave Hayden Penn his chance. �A passed ball moved the runner to second base, and a ground out advanced him to third base. �An RBI single broke the tie and the Phillies were up 3-2. �Penn gave up a double, then got out of that inning with two strikeouts. �He pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 7th. �Octavio Dotel gave up a solo home run on his first pitch for the Phillies' final run.

Several minor leaguers, mainly from the Altoona Curve, got into the game, and several of them will also accompany the major league team to Philadelphia for the next two games to finish out the pre-season. �In this game: �2B Chase d'Arnaud, CF John Raynor, PH Jim Negrych, Miles Durham, and 3B Josh Harrison.

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The Indy Indians were scheduled to play a AAA game against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees this afternoon. �No word on the results.

I thought it would be cool to see Wins Above Replacement (WAR) numbers for some of the Pirates’ top prospects. So I started doing some calculating. Without further ado, here is estimated 2009 WAR for seven of the Pirates’ top position player prospects.

Looking at two more catchers today -- both veterans:

Erik Kratz was a surprise last year in Indianapolis. �The 29-year-old was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 29th round of the 2002 draft, and spent seven seasons in their organization mostly as a back-up catcher at various levels. �He occasionally took a turn playing first base, and played third twice in 2008, and even pitched in four games along the way (5 innings, 5 hits, 4 runs, 4 walks, and one strikeout). �After the 2008 season, Kratz became a minor league free agent, and he chose to sign a minor league contract with the Pirates for 2009. �The plan was for Kratz to be the back-up catcher behind Robinzon Diaz in Indianapolis.

Things changed when Pirates' catcher Ryan Doumit was injured. �Diaz was called up to Pittsburgh on April 21st, and Kratz became the primary catcher in Indy. �The regular playing time showed off Kratz's skills, and it also gave him the chance to get regular at-bats. �He hit .227 with a home run in April, but went on a 6-game hitting streak (9-for-25) after Diaz left. The average increased to .288 in May, which included four 3-hit games, and rose further to .308 in June, when he had a hit in all but two games that he appeared in (18 games). � Kratz still struck out a lot, but the rate decreased over the season (26% of plate appearances in April, but down to 18% in May, 20% in June, and 14% in July). �Kratz was named the starting catcher for the International League's All Star Game. �He hit the International League team's first hit, which was a double in the 3rd inning, and moments later scored the team's first run. �Then he sealed the win with a 2-run homer in the 6th inning, to give the International League the win and earn himself the game's Top Star (MVP)�honors. �Kratz returned to Indianapolis to find that Robinzon Diaz had been optioned down from Pittsburgh, but this time, Kratz was not automatically bumped back to the back-up role. �He continued to get playing time and at-bats, though he hit only .216 with 3 homers in July. �Then in August, he blasted 5 home runs and hit .329, finishing the season with a solid .273 average in 93 games, including a personal best 30 doubles, 11 homers (he also hit 11 in 2005), and personal best 43 RBI. �Behind the plate, Kratz threw out 25 of 83 runners trying to steal base (30%). � He was named the Indy Indians' Defensive Player of the Year for 2009.

The Pirates' 2010 defensive unit will be average at best. What would it take to repair the defense, and how long should it take? Click to find the answer.

Tigers 8, �Pirates 5 � (box)

The Pirates found their bats again today, but still could not overcome the Tigers in Wednesday's Grapefruit League action. �The Pirates posted 12 hits, and scored all their runs in one inning, a 5-run 4th. �Starter Zach Duke got into trouble in the 2nd inning, when he gave up back-to-back singles, then got a strikeout, then gave up two more back-to-back singles. �The fourth single brought in two runs. �A fly out was next, then another RBI single and a 2-RBI double, and the Tigers had a 5-0 lead.

The Pirates' 4th inning began with LF Lastings Milledge reaching base on a fielding error. �1B Jeff Clement continued his hot hitting with a single into right field. �3B Andy LaRoche brought in both Milledge and Clement with a triple into center field. �Zach Duke contributed an RBI double, plating LaRoche. �SS Bobby Crosby walked, and 2B Aki Iwamura singled into left to load the bases. �CF Andrew McCutchen lifted a sacrifice fly, scoring Duke from third. �After a pop out, C Ryan Doumit singled in Crosby before a ground out ended the inning. �The 5-run rally tied the score, but it didn't stay tied for long.

The Tigers led off the bottom of the 4th with a solo home run, followed by a single and a walk. �A double play erased the walk, but left a runner on third base. �Johnny Damon singled to bring in that run, and an RBI double by Magglio Ordonez scored Damon. �Another single had Ordonez heading for the plate, but an excellent throw in from Milledge in left field to Doumit at home was in time to tag out Ordonez as he tried to score.

Duke took the loss, as he allowed 8 runs on 9 hits over 3.2 innings. �Corey Hamman finished up the 4th inning for Duke, though he allowed 2 hits. �Brendan Donnelly and Jack Taschner each pitched a scoreless inning, and Jeff Sues pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Also in the game: �3B Jose De Los Santos, LF Austin McClune, RF Steve Pearce, and CF John Raynor.

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The Indianapolis Indians were scheduled to play a AAA game against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in Bradenton this afternoon -- no word about the results.

You are relaxing in a Pittsburgh bar, enjoying happy hour with a few acquaintances. One of the televisions is tuned to FSN, and Andrew McCutchen’s face flashes across the screen during a spring training interview. One of your buddies quickly announces that “he will be wearing pinstripes within two years.” Don't know the proper response? We have you covered.

A pair of pitchers, one a prospect and one a returning veteran:

Jeff Karstens is a 27-year-old righty, who was drafted by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 2003 draft. �He began his pro career at the A+ level in 2004, and rose quickly, reaching the major leagues on August 22, 2006. �He made 6 starts and 8 relief appearances for the Yankees that season, earning a 2-1 record and a 3.80 ERA. �Karstens broke his leg and missed most of the 2007 season. �When he returned, he began the season at the Yankees' AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre affiliate. �He made 12 starts at AAA, with a 6-4 record and a 3.80 ERA, before being traded to the Pirates in the big trade that also brought Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen, and Jose Tabata to Pittsburgh. �Since Karstens had been doing well at AAA, the Pirates assigned him to the major league club, where he jumped right into the starting rotation. �His first two starts were excellent -- 6 shutout innings, then 7 no-hit innings -- but he struggled over the rest of the season. �He made a total of�9 starts and earned a 2-6 record and a 4.03 record. �After having thrown 68.2 innings in the Yankees' organization, Karstens pitched another 51.1 innings over the rest of the season for the Pirates. �He gave up 32 runs (23 earned) and 56 hits. �He did not walk a lot (13) and struck out 23.

Karstens returned to the Pirates' starting rotation to begin 2009. �He made 11 starts, which generally did not go well. �In June, when Charlie Morton joined the team, Karstens was moved to the bullpen, where he usually pitched in long relief. �He made 23 relief appearances, but continued to struggle with his command. �In mid-August, back problems put Karstens onto the Disabled List. �He made three relief appearances in Indianapolis on a rehab assignment, pitching 6 scoreless innings, with 4 hits and 7 strikeouts (no walks).