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Prospect Watch: Gift Hits His Fourth Homer

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TOP OF THE SYSTEM

A look at how the current top 10 prospects did today.  Note that this list doesn’t include players currently in the majors. Rankings from the 2012 Prospect Guide, which can be purchased here.

1. Gerrit Cole, RHP (1-1, 3.54) – DNP

2. Jameson Taillon, RHP (2-2, 1.47) – DNP

3. Starling Marte, CF (.268) – DNP

4. Josh Bell, RF (.274) – Low-A DL

5. Luis Heredia, RHP (No Stats) – Extended Spring Training

6. Robbie Grossman, CF (.234) – 1-for-5, 2B

7. Tony Sanchez, C (.258) – 0-for-5, 3 K

8. Stetson Allie, RHP (0-0, 54.00) – Extended Spring Training

9. Kyle McPherson, RHP (No Stats) – AAA DL

10. Nick Kingham, RHP (1-2, 7.43) – DNP

COUPON CODE

The minor league system hit 12 homers last week. The code “HOME RUN” gives you $0.50 off per home run, which is a savings of $6.00. Use the code on the products page of the site to get your discount. Expires Sunday 5/13 at 11:59:59 PM EST.

DAILY SUMMARY

Top Pitcher: Daniel Cabrera, RHP (1-0, 3.24) – 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Gift Ngoepe, SS (.229) – 3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI

Home Runs: Jeremy Farrell (1), Gift Ngoepe (4)

AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

Box Score

Result: Indianapolis 4, Norfolk 1

Starting Pitcher: Daniel Cabrera, RHP (1-0, 3.24) – 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Gorkys Hernandez, CF (.277) – 2-for-3, 2 RBI

Other Notable Performers

Chase d’Arnaud, SS (.263) – 1-for-3, 2B, BB

Matt Hague, 1B (.271) – 2-for-4

Tim Wood, RHP (4.11) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR

Game Notes: Gorkys Hernandez is 12-for-25 in his last seven games. Matt Hague is getting his average and on-base percentage up this year, but he hasn’t been hitting for much power, with just three doubles and no homers in 96 at-bats in Triple-A. Chase d’Arnaud is 5-for-15 since returning from the disabled list. Starling Marte entered the game as a pinch runner.

AA: ALTOONA CURVE

Box Score

Result: Erie 7, Altoona 3

Starting Pitcher: Phil Irwin, RHP (0-1, 7.20) – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Jeremy Farrell, 3B (.215) – 1-for-3, HR, BB, RBI

Other Notable Performers

Robbie Grossman, CF (.234) – 1-for-5, 2B

Game Notes: Phil Irwin made his first start at the Double-A level this year. He made one rehab start in high-A before moving up. Irwin had a 3.81 ERA in 87.1 innings last year in Double-A, with a 7.1 K/9, a 1.0 BB/9, and a 0.9 HR/9 ratio. Tonight he threw 81 pitches, with 42 strikes. Tony Sanchez went 0-for-5, snapping a streak of 19 games where he reached base safely. Heading in to tonight, Robbie Grossman had a .324/.432/.514 line in 37 at-bats in the month of May.

A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS

Box Score

Result: Clearwater 4, Bradenton 3

Starting Pitcher: Hunter Strickland, RHP (2.81) – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Gift Ngoepe, SS (.229) – 3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI

Other Notable Performers

Mel Rojas, CF (.291) – 2-for-5

Stefan Welch, 3B (.301) – 2-for-5, 2B

Jeff Iman, RHP (0.00) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR

Game Notes: Hunter Strickland made his first start since leaving his April 21st start early after being struck by a line drive. He gave up his two runs in the first, then went on to pitch two shutout innings. Gift Ngoepe hit his fourth homer of the year, a two run shot in the bottom of the ninth to tie the score at 3-3. Jeff Inman has now thrown 5.2 shutout innings, allowing one hit, walking two, and striking out one. Mel Rojas is 18-for-47 (.383) in his last ten games, with seven multi-hit games. Stefan Welch extended his hitting streak to 14 games.

A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER

Box Score

Result: Charleston 8, West Virginia 4

Starting Pitcher: Ryan Hafner, RHP (6.75) – 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Gregory Polanco, CF (.306) – 2-for-4, 2B

Other Notable Performers

Dan Gamache, 2B (.273) – 2-for-4, 2B

Carlos Mesa, RF (.229) – 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Emmanuel De Leon, RHP (4.26) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR

Game Notes: After giving up ten earned runs in 6.2 innings over his first two starts, Ryan Hafner has given up two earned runs in 9.1 innings over his last two starts. His control has been rough this year, with an 8:10 K/BB ratio in 16 innings on the season. Gregory Polanco is 16-for-40 (.400) in his last ten games, with two doubles and two homers. He’s struck out just four times in that stretch. Carlos Mesa hit a two RBI double in the bottom of the ninth as part of a three run comeback to tie the score at 4-4, sending the game to extra innings.

ORGANIZATIONAL RECORDS

AAA: Indianapolis Indians – 20-14

AA: Altoona Curve – 13-20

A+: Bradenton Marauders – 17-18

A: West Virginia Power – 11-23

Tim Williams
Tim Williams
Tim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.

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