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Prospect Watch: A Night Filled With Prospects on the Mound

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TOP OF THE SYSTEM

A look at how the current top 30 prospects did today.  Note that this list doesn’t include players currently in the majors. 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, 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 30 active prospects on the list. Rankings are from early season update, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player pages.

1. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Altoona – 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 0 HR

2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List

3. Austin Meadows, CF, Bradenton – 2-for-4, 2B

4. Josh Bell, 1B, Altoona – 2-for-4, RBI

5. Reese McGuire, C, Bradenton – 1-for-4

6. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List

7. Alen Hanson, 2B, Indianapolis – Disabled List

8. Cole Tucker, SS, West Virginia – 0-for-3, R

9. Elias Diaz, C, Indianapolis – 0-for-3

10. Mitch Keller, RHP, Bristol – DNP

11. Harold Ramirez, OF, Bradenton – 1-for-4, 3B, RBI, R

12. Stephen Tarpley, LHP, West Virginia – DNP

13. JaCoby Jones, SS, Bradenton – DNP

14. Adrian Sampson, RHP, Indianapolis – 6.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

15. Trey Supak, RHP, Bristol – 3.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 0 HR

16. Gage Hinsz, RHP, Bristol – DNP

17. Barrett Barnes, OF, Bradenton – DNP

18. Clay Holmes, RHP, Bradenton – 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR

19. Cody Dickson, LHP, Bradenton – DNP

20. Willy Garcia, OF, Indianapolis – 0-for-3

21. John Holdzkom, RHP, Indianapolis

22. Jordan Luplow, 3B, West Virginia – 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI

23. Connor Joe, 1B, West Virginia – 0-for-2, BB

24. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, Bradenton – 1-for-3

25. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List

26. Steven Brault, LHP, Altoona –  DNP

27. Tito Polo, OF, West Virginia – 1-for-3, SB, R

28. Tyler Eppler, RHP, Bradenton – DNP

29Luis Heredia, RHP, Bradenton – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR

30. Taylor Gushue, C, West Virginia – 0-for-2, BB

 

DAILY SUMMARY

Top Pitcher: Luis Heredia, RHP – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter:  Jhoan Herrera, DH – 3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R

Home Runs: Jordan Luplow (4)

AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS    

Box Score

Result: Columbus 6, Indianapolis 1

Starting Pitcher: Adrian Sampson, RHP – 6.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Keon Broxton, LF – 1-for-3, 3B, BB, R, SB

Other Notable Performers:

Brent Morel, 3B – 1-for-4, 2B

 Gustavo Nunez, 2B – 1-for-1, RBI

Game NotesOnce again the first innings did in Adrian Sampson, as he allowed three hits, three runs, and a home run. Two of the hits and all of the runs crossed the plate with two outs in the frame. The rough June continues for Sampson, as he came into the game allowing a 4.61 ERA and 31 hits in 27.1 innings pitched. Much of the night on Monday, Sampson was hittable as he was up in the zone.

Yhonathan Barrios relieved Sampson and allowed just one hit in his inning of work. In his sixth outing of the season with Indianapolis, Barrios has allowed just one run. Josh Wall allowed a triple and a run to score on a wild pitch in his inning of work. Blake Wood had a tough ninth inning, allowing two hits, two walks and a run.
 
Indianapolis was only able muster three hits for the game. However, this did include a triple by Keon Broxton, who also had a walk and a stolen base – Ryan Palencer

 

AA: ALTOONA CURVE

Box Score

Result: Harrisburg 4, Altoona 2

Starting Pitcher: Tyler Glasnow, RHP – 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Josh Bell, 1B – 2-for-4, RBI

Other Notable Performers:

Max Moroff, 2B – 2-for-2, 2B, BB

Adam Frazier, SS – 1-for-3, BB

Game Notes: Tyler Glasnow made his return to Altoona, and while he wasn’t efficient with his pitches, he threw 3.2 innings without an earned run and he had seven strikeouts. Glasnow threw 70 pitches(46 for strikes) in his brief outing, showing there is still some rust. His last appearance with Altoona was back on May 17th, when he gave up five earned runs over 3.2 innings, before going on the disabled list with a sprained ankle.

The Curve had chances to score, as Adam Frazier, Max Moroff and Josh Bell were on base seven times in the game. Despite the production from the top of the order, they scored just two runs. Bell drove in his 45th run of the year. Max Moroff hit his 17th double of the season. Jose Osuna had a nice all-around day, collecting an RBI, stealing a base and picking up an outfield assist.

 

A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS   

Box Score

Result:Brevard County 4, Bradenton 2

Starting Pitcher: Luis Heredia, RHP – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Harold Ramirez, RF – 1-for-4, 3B, RBI, R

Other Notable Performers:

Wyatt Mathisen, 3B – 1-for-3

Austin Meadows, CF – 2-for-4, 2B

Erich Weiss, 2B – 1-for-2, BB

Game Notes: Luis Heredia opened the season with seven straight appearances in which he was limited due to his pitch counts. He went five innings last week for the first time, then put together a solid outing on Monday, allowing three unearned runs over six innings. Almost everything against him came in the sixth inning. Prior to that, he allowed a single and hit a batter in the first inning. Heredia then retired 13 straight batters, with the string broken by an error from Wyatt Mathisen which started the sixth. He threw 73 pitches, 57 for strikes and had 11 ground ball outs.

The Marauders were shutdown by former Pirates’ farmhand Wei-Chung Wang, who has pitched poorly all season. The Brewers dropped the 23-year-old lefty from their 40-man roster recently and coming into this game, he had a 5.27 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. Wang threw eight shutout innings and Bradenton only broke through for two runs after he left the game.

Austin Meadows had two hits, including his 14th double. He has eight hits in his last three games. Harold Ramirez connected on his third triple of the year. He’s in a mini-slump compared to the .412 season average he had four days ago. Ramirez is 3-for-17 in his last four games, dropping him down to a Ty Cobb-like .378 mark.

 

A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER

Box Score

Result: West Virginia 3, Greensboro 2

Starting Pitcher: Yeudy Garcia, RHP – 4.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Jordan Luplow, 3B – 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI

Other Notable Performers:

Tito Polo, CF – 1-for-3, SB, R

Pablo Reyes, 2B – 2-for-2

Michael Suchy, RF – 1-for-2, BB, SB

Elvis Escobar, LF – 1-for-3, 2B

Game Notes: This game was ended early due to rain, giving the Power a victory in 6 1/2 innings. Yeudy Garcia allowed a lot of hits, but they amounted to just one run and he struck out six batters. He has 58 strikeouts in 60 innings this year. The difference in the score came courtesy of a two-run homer by Jordan Luplow, his fourth of the season. Pablo Reyes had two hits for the second straight game. Tito Polo stole his 22nd base of the year. Cole Tucker went 0-for-3, snapping his 12-game hit streak

 

A: WEST VIRGINIA BLACK BEARS

Box Score

Result: Hudson Valley 7, West Virginia 1

Starting Pitcher: Bret Helton, RHP – 3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Chris Harvey, C – 1-for-3, 3B

Other Notable Performers:

Alexis Bastardo, LF – 1-for-3

Ulises Montilla, 2B – 1-for4

Game Notes: Once again, the Black Bears got behind early, struggled offensively and lost to Hudson Valley. West Virginia starting pitcher, righty Bret Helton, looked very good early on. He only had one hard hit ball off him and struck out five through his first two innings of work. However, control became an issue in the third as he walked one, hit two more and gave up a line shot to the left center field gap staking the Renegades to a 2-0 lead.

Helton’s fastball was strong, touching 94 MPH. His curve had good horizontal and vertical break while ranging from 78-81. A National League scout on hand commented that Helton “looked good, but command was an issue.” Helton walked three and hit two more in his three innings of work. After the game, he said that he felt like his start was a step in the right direction. He went on to say that he was a bit nervous his last time out when he made his professional debut. Coach Wyatt Toregas wanted to see Helton use his fastball more, but reminded everyone that it was only his second professional start.

Pimentel, who relieved Helton in the fourth, had his fastball hover around 90-91 MPH. He throws over the top and hides the ball fairly well. After his initial struggles, he settled down nicely not allowing a hit through the 5th and 6th innings. However, he started the 7th by hitting the Renegades lead-off hitter.

Offensively, the Bears did little all game. They had four infield hits and another that was scored a single that was actually a soft liner off the first baseman’s glove. There were only a handful of hard hit balls. Chris Harvey lined a fastball for a triple to the center field wall in the 7th, though he was left stranded.  In the head-scratcher department, with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, and the Bears trailing 5-1, left fielder, Alexis Bastardo, attempted to steal second. Besides the fact that running in that situation (down by four) is usually not a good move, Bastardo is definitely no speed merchant. He was thrown out easily ending the inning. Toregas chalked it up to a miscommunication and said that they had talked.

Third round pick, Casey Hughston out of Alabama, continues to struggle at the plate. He went 0-4 which makes him 1-26 on the season. Toregas thinks that Hughston has had some bad luck. He has hit four or fine line drives right at people.

One of the few highlights of the night was the defensive play of catcher, Deybi Garcia, who threw out an astonishing four runners, on the bases, trying to steal or move up on pitches in the dirt. He cut down three of the runners at third. – Jamey Conlin

 

RK: BRISTOL PIRATES

Box Score

Result: Elizabethton 6, Bristol 0

Starting Pitcher: Trey Supak, RHP – 3.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Enyel Vallejo, RF – 0-for-2, BB

Other Notable Performers:

Carlos Munoz, 1B – 1-for-4

Palmer Betts, RHP – 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 0 HR

Game Notes: Trey Supak had a strong first outing this season, but his second one didn’t go so well. He lasted just three innings and allowed runs in all three frames, giving up a total of five runs on eight hits and three walks. In his first game, the 2014 2nd round pick allowed two runs over five innings and had no walks and seven strikeouts. Palmer Betts followed Supak and went the rest of the way, giving up one run over five innings. His line looks great, but he also threw three wild pitches and hit two batters.

The Pirates’ offense was almost non-existent, with two singles and three walks. They didn’t get their first hit until the seventh inning and that was immediately erased on a double play. They didn’t have a runner in scoring position until the ninth inning. Logan Ratledge has got off to a tough start, going 1-for-22 with no walks. As a college senior that turns 23 in three weeks, he should be tearing up the Appalachian League.

You can view the Bristol season preview here.

 

RK: GCL PIRATES

Box Score

Result: Pirates 11, Yankees2 4

Starting Pitcher: Clay Holmes, RHP – 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Jhoan Herrera, DH – 3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R

Other Notable Performers:

Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B – 2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB, 2 R

Raul Siri, 2B – 2-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 R, SB

Michael de la Cruz, CF – 2-for-5, 3B, 4 RBI

Game Notes: This game got off to a very bad start, then things turned around in a hurry for the Pirates. With Clay Holmes on the mound making his second rehab start, the Pirates made three errors in the top of the first, which led to two unearned runs. After that, it was all Pirates in this game. Holmes ended up going 4.2 innings, with one more run allowed. He had six ground ball outs and four strikeouts. Last time out, he went 3.2 innings and gave up two earned runs. Holmes is now up to a pitch/inning count where he should be able to move on to Bradenton for his next start, but nothing has been decided.

Ke’Bryan Hayes made his pro debut, three weeks after he was selected by the Pirates with the 32nd overall pick in the amateur draft. He had a strong game, collecting two hits, driving in two runs and drawing a walk. He wasn’t the only big bat in this game though. Jhoan Herrera had three hits, scored twice and drove in three runs. Michael de la Cruz had four RBIs, including a two-run triple. Raul Siri reached base four times and finished the day with a .480 average though seven games.

Nicholas Economos made his pro debut and allowed one run over the final two innings. He was drafted in the 21st round this year.

You can view the GCL season preview here.

 

RK: DSL PIRATES

Box Score

Result: Rangers2 6, Pirates 4

Starting Pitcher: Brian Sousa, RHP – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Melvin Jimenez, SS – 2-for-5, 2B, RBI

Other Notable Performers:

Gabriel Brito, C – 1-for-2

Christopher Perez, 2B – 1-for-4, 2B, RBI

Game Notes: Brian Sousa started his first game since suffering a lat strain two weeks ago. The 17-year-old righty pitched one inning of relief on Friday, but otherwise hasn’t pitched since his start on June 10th. On Monday, he went three innings, allowing two runs, both unearned. Sousa had seven ground ball outs and one strikeout.

Catcher Gabriel Brito caught for the first time this season. He signed for $200,000 last July, the second highest price paid by the Pirates for an international player during this past signing period. He had been limited to DH appearances prior to Monday and he only caught six innings in his first game behind the plate. Brito went 1-for-2 and had a throwing error and a passed ball.

Christopher Perez had a double in this game, just his third hit in 37 at-bats. He signed for $150,000 last July.

John Dreker
John Dreker
John started working at Pirates Prospects in 2009, but his connection to the Pittsburgh Pirates started exactly 100 years earlier when Dots Miller debuted for the 1909 World Series champions. John was born in Kearny, NJ, two blocks from the house where Dots Miller grew up. From that hometown hero connection came a love of Pirates history, as well as the sport of baseball. When he didn't make it as a lefty pitcher with an 80+ MPH fastball and a slider that needed work, John turned to covering the game, eventually focusing in on the prospects side, where his interest was pushed by the big league team being below .500 for so long. John has covered the minors in some form since the 2002 season, and leads the draft and international coverage on Pirates Prospects. He writes daily on Pittsburgh Baseball History, when he's not covering the entire system daily throughout the entire year on Pirates Prospects.

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