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Prospect Watch: Garcia Homers; Kuhl Continues Strong Pitching From Bradenton

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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 – 1-for-4

2. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Bradenton – DNP

3. Austin Meadows, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (5/30 Update)

4. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona – 1-for-3

5. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona – DNP

6. Reese McGuire, C, West Virginia – 0-for-2

7. Josh Bell, RF, Bradenton – 0-for-2, 2 BB

8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power – Disabled List (4/22 Update)

9. Harold Ramirez, OF, West Virginia – 0-for-2

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 – DNP

14. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (5/30 Update)

15. JaCoby Jones, SS, West Virginia – 0-for-2

16. Michael De La Cruz, OF, Extended Spring Training – DNP

17. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, West Virginia – 0-for-1, BB

18. Jin-De Jhang, C, Bradenton – 1-for-4

19. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP

20. Stetson Allie, 1B, Altoona – 1-for-4

 

2014FrontCoverORDER 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 Pitcher: Chad Kuhl, RHP – 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Willy Garcia, RF – 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 5 RBI

Home Runs: Willy Garcia (8)

 

AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS    

Box Score

Result: Syracuse 5, Indianapolis 1

Starting Pitcher: Jake Brigham, RHP – 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Tony Sanchez, C – 2-for-4

Other Notable Performers:

Gregory Polanco, RF – 1-for-4

Mel Rojas, CF – 1-for-4

Game Notes: Jake Brigham had only had one start where he has given up over three runs this season. Tuesday night continued this streak, as he allowed three runs in 6 innings. Brigham took the loss as he struggled with command, walking four and allowing five hits. He also did not strike out a hitter. It was his first game of the season without a strikeout.

Wirfin Obispo pitched his first game with Indianapolis. He allowed a run on a solo home run in an inning of work, but struck out two.

Tony Sanchez added a pair of hits to break a 2-for-12 slump over the past five games. Matt Hague picked up a single and has reached base in 23 straight games. – Ryan Palencer

 

AA: ALTOONA CURVE

Box Score

Result: Binghamton 15, Altoona 6

Starting Pitcher: Zack Dodson, LHP – 4.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Willy Garcia, RF – 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 5 RBI

Other Notable Performers:

Elias Diaz, C – 2-for-4

Stetson Allie, 1B – 1-for-4

Game Notes: Willy Garcia hit his eighth homer of the year, along with his 11th double. Garcia has been slumping lately, with an OPS under .500 in his last ten games, and an average under .200. Stetson Allie has also been slumping lately. His hit tonight snapped a 1-for-20 stretch in his last six games. Joining the group is Elias Diaz, who picked up two hits tonight, breaking his slump that saw him go 0-for-13 in his last three games, and 2-for-18 in his last five. Zack Dodson went the opposite direction. He had a 2.65 ERA in 17 innings during the month of May, then had his worst outing of the year tonight.

 

A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS   

Box Score

ResultBradenton 7, Clearwater 1

Starting Pitcher: Chad Kuhl, RHP – 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Taylor Lewis, LF – 2-for-4, 3B

Other Notable Performers:

Jordan Steranka, DH – 2-for-4

Jose Osuna, 1B – 1-for-4, 2B

Game Notes: Jose Osuna and Jordan Steranka returned from the disabled list tonight, combining for three hits. Chad Kuhl pitched a gem tonight, continuing strong pitching from himself and the entire Bradenton rotation. Kuhl has given up two earned runs in 20.1 innings over his last three starts, with a 14:4 K/BB ratio. Tonight was his best outing of the season. The Marauders rotation has been on fire lately, with a 1.90 ERA in 90 innings over their last 16 starts.

 

A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER   

Box Score

Result: Kannapolis 3, West Virginia 0

Starting Pitcher: Dovydas Neverauskas, RHP – 5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Erich Weiss, 2B – 0-for-1, BB

Other Notable Performers:

Wyatt Mathisen, 3B – 0-for-1, BB

Game Notes: West Virginia was no-hit tonight, although the no-hitter came with a disclaimer. The game was completed after five innings due to rain. Erich Weiss and Wyatt Mathisen both drew walks, and were the only runners to reach base safely.

 

RK: DSL PIRATES

Box Score

Result: Braves 10, Pirates 6

Starting Pitcher: Yeudy Garcia, RHP – 5.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Sandy Santos, RF-CF – 3-for-5, 2B

Other Notable Performers:

Victor Fernandez, CF – 0-for-1, 2 BB, 3 SB

Eliezer Ramirez, DH – 1-for-3

Game Notes: The DSL Pirates lost for the third straight time to open up the season. As mentioned in the season preview, this team looked to be a strong offensive squad, with little pitching of note. That has held true, as they have put up 24 runs and 37 hits so far, yet still come up empty in the win column. Yeudy Garcia made his first start as a pro and gave up five runs(three earned) over five innings. A trio of bullpen arms followed him and allowed five more runs.

The offense was led by Sandy Santos with three hits, including a double, which was the Pirates only extra base hit of the game. He also picked up two outfield assists in the game. Santos is a 20-year-old, who struggled at the plate as a rookie last season. Eliezer Ramirez made his pro debut and went 1-for-3 with an RBI. The 17-year-old from Venezuela was signed for a $120,000 bonus during the last July 2nd signing period. Victor Fernandez walked twice in three plate appearances and stole three bases. Scouting reports on Fernandez noted that his speed is off the charts and early on, the 19-year-old outfielder is 5-for-7 with two walks and four steals. During Dominican Spring Training, he was reported 14-for-14 in stolen base attempts. Catcher Ramy Perez came in on defense in the eighth inning and picked two runners off base. – John Dreker

You can check out the DSL Pirates season preview here.

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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