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Prospect Watch: Reyes, Barnes, Jhang, and Polo Among Many With Homers

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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 – DNP

2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List

3. Austin Meadows, CF, Bradenton – 2-for-5

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

5. Reese McGuire, C, Bradenton – DNP

6. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List

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

8. Cole Tucker, SS, West Virginia – 2-for-4, 3B, BB

9. Elias Diaz, C, Indianapolis – DNP

10. Mitch Keller, RHP, Bristol – DNP

11. Harold Ramirez, OF, Bradenton – 1-for-5

12. Stephen Tarpley, LHP, West Virginia – DNP

13. JaCoby Jones, SS, Bradenton – 0-for-2, BB

14. Adrian Sampson, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP

15. Trey Supak, RHP, Bristol – DNP

16. Gage Hinsz, RHP, Bristol – DNP

17. Barrett Barnes, OF, Bradenton – 2-for-5, HR

18. Clay Holmes, RHP, Bradenton – DNP

19. Cody Dickson, LHP, Bradenton – DNP

20. Willy Garcia, OF, Indianapolis – 0-for-4

21. John Holdzkom, RHP, Indianapolis – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

22. Jordan Luplow, 3B, West Virginia – DNP

23. Connor Joe, 1B, West Virginia – 1-for-4, 2B

24. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, Bradenton – 1-for-4, 2B

25. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List

26. Steven Brault, LHP, Altoona –  DNP

27. Tito Polo, OF, West Virginia – 2-for-4, 2B, HR

28. Tyler Eppler, RHP, Bradenton – DNP

29Luis Heredia, RHP, Bradenton – DNP

30. Taylor Gushue, C, West Virginia – DNP

 

DAILY SUMMARY

Top Pitcher: Clayton Richard, LHP – 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter:  Pablo Reyes, 2B – 2-for-5, 2B, HR

Home Runs: Pablo Reyes (7), Barrett Barnes (6), Dan Gamache (5), Jin-De Jhang (1), Tito Polo (1), Francisco Diaz (1), Logan Hill (1), Henrry Rosario (1)

AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS    

Box Score

Result: Indianapolis 5, Syracuse 1

Starting Pitcher: Clayton Richard, LHP – 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Brent Morel, 3B – 2-for-4, 2 2B

Other Notable Performers:

Jaff Decker, CF – 1-for-3

Tony Sanchez, C – 1-for-4, 2B

Pedro Florimon, SS – 2-for-4, 3 SB

Game Notes: Clayton Richard had his best start of the year, giving up one run on three hits and no walks in seven innings, with five strikeouts. Richard needed just 77 pitches to get through the outing, with 55 strikes. On the season he has a 2.09 ERA in 56 innings with Indianapolis, along with a 25:13 K/BB ratio. John Holdzkom pitched a shutout frame, but more importantly, he only needed 11 pitches to get through the inning, with seven strikes. Holdzkom had an issue with high pitch counts per inning early in the season, but has averaged 10 pitches per inning over his last three outings, while striking out six in five innings and only allowing one hit. That looks more like the 2014 version than the early 2015 version. Pedro Florimon picked up two hits, but also stole three bases, giving him eight steals on the year.

 

AA: ALTOONA CURVE

Game One Box Score

Result: Harrisburg 3, Altoona 2

Starting Pitcher: Zack Dodson, LHP – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Dan Gamache, 3B – 2-for-3, HR

Other Notable Performers:

Josh Bell, 1B – 2-for-2, 2B, BB

Jose Osuna, LF – 1-for-3, SB

Game Notes: Zack Dodson got credit for the complete game, throwing six innings in Altoona’s loss in game one of the double header. He had given up 13 runs in 12.2 innings over his last two starts, so today’s outing was a bit of a rebound. He also struck out six batters, matching his total from his last three starts. Dan Gamache hit his fifth homer of the year in 151 at-bats. He’s got a .166 ISO on the season, showing some nice power so far. Josh Bell only played the first game today, and picked up two hits. Bell has at least one hit in 20 of his last 22 games.

Game Two Box Score

Result: Harrisburg 4, Altoona 3

Starting Pitcher: Tom Harlan, LHP – 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Adam Frazier, CF – 3-for-4, 2B

Other Notable Performers:

Max Moroff, 2B – 2-for-4, SB

Jacob Stallings, C – 2-for-3, 2B

Game Notes: It’s early in his season, but Adam Frazier continues to hit well, with a .357/.413/.487 line in 115 at-bats. He played center field in this game, and has been moved to a super utility role after spending almost all of his time at shortstop in Bradenton last year. Max Moroff has slowed his pace a bit, hitting for just a .250 average in his last ten games. That includes two hits in this game, leading to a 2-for-7 day. He did steal his 11th base of the year. Jacob Stallings extended his hitting streak to six games.

 

A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS   

Box Score

Result: Bradenton 4, Brevard County 3

Starting Pitcher: Jayson Aquino, LHP – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Barrett Barnes, LF – 2-for-5, HR

Other Notable Performers:

Jin-De Jhang, C – 1-for-4, HR

Austin Meadows, CF – 2-for-5

Erich Weiss, 2B – 2-for-5, 2B

Montana DuRapau, RHP – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 HR

Game Notes: Barrett Barnes stayed hot at the plate, homering for the second day in a row, and the third time in his last nine games. This was also his third straight multi-hit game, and his fifth in his last ten games. On the season, Barnes has a .274/.359/.470 line in 168 at-bats, with six homers and a .196 ISO. Austin Meadows hasn’t had the best year at the plate, but followed his four hit day yesterday with two more hits today. Jayson Aquino now has a 3.54 ERA in 56 innings with the Marauders since being acquired earlier this season. Montana DuRapau continued his impressive pitching, and now has an 0.84 ERA in 21.1 innings, with a 16:2 K/BB ratio. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but throws four pitches for strikes with a bit of deception and outstanding command.

 

A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER

Box Score

Result: West Virginia 13, Greensboro 3

Starting Pitcher: Alex McRae, RHP – 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Pablo Reyes, 2B – 2-for-5, 2B, HR

Other Notable Performers:

Tito Polo, CF – 2-for-4, 2B, HR

Francisco Diaz, C – 1-for-3, HR

Cole Tucker, SS – 2-for-4, 3B, BB

Michael Suchy, RF – 2-for-2, 2 BB

Jerrick Suiter, DH – 3-for-5, 2B, 3B

Elvis Escobar, LF – 3-for-5

Game Notes: The West Virginia offense exploded today, led by Pablo Reyes, Tito Polo, and Francisco Diaz, who all homered.  It was the seventh homer of the year for Reyes, while the other two each hit their first of the season. Reyes also connected for his 14th double of the year. He’s not hitting for a high average, but has some impressive power from the middle infield, with a .178 ISO. Cole Tucker hit his first triple of the year, while Jerrick Suiter got his third of the year, and his fifth double. Suiter has just 152 at-bats, and is hitting for a .316/.410/.428 line.

 

A: WEST VIRGINIA BLACK BEARS

Box Score

Result: Hudson Valley 11, West Virginia 5

Starting Pitcher: JT Brubaker, RHP – 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Logan Hill, RF – 1-for-4, HR

Other Notable Performers:

Ty Moore, LF – 1-for-4, 3B

Albert Baur, 1B – 1-for-4, 2B

Casey Hughston, CF – 1-for-4, 3B

Game Notes: West Virginia’s bats awoke late, but it was not nearly enough as the Hudson Valley Renegades defeated the home-standing Black Bears 11-5. Starting pitcher, right-hander, JT Brubaker, recently drafted in the 6th round out of Akron, allowed four runs in the first three innings to propel the Renegades to an early 4-1 lead. Brubaker threw both a two-seam and fourseam fastball, sitting around 92 MPH in his four innings of work. He kept his two-seamer down in the zone. Hudson Valley’s first run came on a wild pitch that was a two-seamer that skirted through the catcher’s legs. Brubaker also gave up back to back line drive doubles in the second and a 2-run homer in the third. He pitched well in the fourth, setting down the Renegades in order.

The Bears got the bats going in the 7th scoring two and two more in the 8th, but it was too little, too late. Hudson Valley starter, Roel Ramirez, kept the Bears in check allowing only one hit and one walk in his 6 innings of work before being removed for a reliever. Logan Hill had a home run in the second on a hanging breaking ball. He also had a deep drive to center in his next at bat and an RBI ground out late. Hill, who is batting clean up, takes a vicious rip when he swings. He entered the game batting over .300, and looks like he will hit.

West Virginia climbed closer in the 7th, when third round pick, Casey Hughston, got his first hit of the year. The left-handed hitting Hughston hit a deep drive to right-center which landed short of the warning track after turning the right fielder around several times. First baseman, Albert Baur, another left-hander, ripped a line shot to the right field wall for a double scoring Hughston and catcher Christian Kelley rifled a single to right scoring Baur.

The Bears were able to push across two more runs in the bottom of the 8th before Hudson Valley put the game away with three runs in the top of the 9th. Kevin Kramer, the second round pick out of UCLA led off the bottom of the 8th with a bunt single. Kramer had also attempted to bunt leading off the bottom of the first, though it was unsuccessful. Manger Wyatt Toregas said that the bunts were called. After the leadoff bunt single, Ty Moore, who has been hitting the heck out of the ball, rolled a double down the first base line. The ball got away from the right fielder, allowing Moore to go to third (though it was scored a triple) giving the Bears their fourth run. Hill’s RBI ground out to SS, was the final run for the day.

On a positive note, Kevin Kramer, who started 61 games at shortstop for UCLA this past spring, looks comfortable at second, as that is where he has been playing. He made two above average plays, both times going to his right. On the first, with two-outs and a runner on third, he went hard to his right on a bouncing ball headed up the middle. He gloved it and threw across his body to first to end the inning. He also started a nice 4-3 double play going to his right later in the game. Kramer, who injured his throwing shoulder and missed the 2014 season, said the shoulder “still doesn’t feel 100%.” It appears that he will be at second base moving forward, with first pick, Kevin Newman at shortstop. Kramer also looked very disciplined at the plate.

Another bright spot was Edgar Santana, a reliever out of the Dominican Republic. Santana pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He has very good pop on his fastball which sits around 94-95 MPH. He also has a good slider, and is working on his sinker, with the pitch sometimes having too much movement to control. – Jamey Conlin

 

RK: BRISTOL PIRATES

Box Score

Result: Bristol 4, Princeton 3

Starting Pitcher: Logan Sendelbach, RHP – 2.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Julio De La Cruz, 3B – 2-for-4, 2B, BB

Other Notable Performers:

Erik Lunde, C – 2-for-5

Carlos Ozuna, 2B – 2-for-4

Edgar Figueroa, CF – 2-for-3, BB

Game Two Box Score

Result: Bristol 7, Princeton 6

Starting Pitcher: Neil Kozikowski, RHP – 3.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Henrry Rosario, LF – 1-for-3, HR

Other Notable Performers:

Enyel Vallejo, RF – 3-for-3, 2B

Carlos Ozuna, 2B – 2-for-4

Game Notes: Bristol swept Princeton in a double header, winning both games by one run. They took the second game thanks to a seven run third inning. That included a three run homer by Henrry Rosario, for his first of the season. Carlos Ozuna also had a big day, going 4-for-8 at the plate, with two hits in each game. Enyel Vallejo picked up three hits and a double in game two, after serving as a pinch runner in game one. The starters were disappointing tonight, with Logan Sendelbach leaving in the third inning, and Neil Kozikowski only lasting three innings while giving up six runs, three earned. The bullpen combined for 11.1 innings with just one run allowed.

You can view the Bristol season preview here.

 

RK: GCL PIRATES

 

The GCL Pirates were off today.

You can view the GCL season preview here.

 

RK: DSL PIRATES

 

The DSL Pirates were off today.

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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