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 – DNP
4. Josh Bell, 1B, Altoona – DNP
5. Reese McGuire, C, Bradenton – DNP
6. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List
7. Alen Hanson, 2B, Indianapolis – DNP
8. Cole Tucker, SS, West Virginia – DNP
9. Elias Diaz, C, Indianapolis – DNP
10. Mitch Keller, RHP, Bristol – DNP
11. Harold Ramirez, OF, Bradenton – Pan-Am Tournament
12. Stephen Tarpley, LHP, West Virginia – DNP
13. JaCoby Jones, SS, Bradenton – DNP
14. Adrian Sampson, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
15. Trey Supak, RHP, Bristol – DNP
16. Gage Hinsz, RHP, Bristol – DNP
17. Barrett Barnes, OF, Bradenton – DNP
18. Clay Holmes, RHP, Bradenton – DNP
19. Cody Dickson, LHP, Bradenton – DNP
20. Willy Garcia, OF, Indianapolis – DNP
21. John Holdzkom, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List
22. Jordan Luplow, 3B, West Virginia – DNP
23. Connor Joe, 1B, West Virginia – DNP
24. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, Bradenton – DNP
25. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List
26. Steven Brault, LHP, Altoona – DNP
27. Tito Polo, OF, West Virginia – Pan-Am Tournament
28. Tyler Eppler, RHP, Bradenton – DNP
29. Luis Heredia, RHP, Bradenton – DNP
30. Taylor Gushue, C, West Virginia – DNP
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Pitcher: Chris Plitt, RHP – 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Raul Siri, DH – 2-for-4, BB, SB
Home Runs: None
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Indianapolis has off until Thursday due to the International League All-Star game.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona was off today.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Bradenton was off today.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
West Virginia was postponed due to rain.
A: WEST VIRGINIA BLACK BEARS
West Virginia was off today.
RK: BRISTOL PIRATES
Bristol was off today.
RK: GCL PIRATES
Result: Astros 7, Pirates 6
Starting Pitcher: Chris Plitt, RHP – 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Raul Siri, DH – 2-for-4, BB, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B – 2-for-5
Jhoan Herrera, 1B – 2-for-4, BB
Victor Fernandez, RF – 1-for-2, 3B
Game Notes: I wrote about Chris Plitt after his last outing, noting that he doesn’t have strong stuff, but has good mechanics, a good downward plane on his fastball, and strong command. Last time out he showed a fastball that mostly tops out at 88 MPH, and sits in the mid-80s in the later innings Despite this lack of velocity, he has gotten strong results this year, with an 0.87 ERA in 10.1 innings over three starts, with a 6:1 K/BB ratio. That’s due to the good downward movement on his fastball, and good command and location with the pitch. He probably won’t have the same success in the upper levels, but he does have a very skinny frame and loose, effortless arm action, meaning he could eventually add velocity. Added velocity with his current command and movement would make him an interesting pitching prospect to follow.
Ke’Bryan Hayes continues to hit, and is now hitting for a .389/.468/.500 line in 54 at-bats. Hayes has at least one hit in 11 of his 14 games this year, and has reached base safely in 13 games. The Pirates have been aggressive in sending high school hitters to the West Virginia Power in their first full season, and with his advanced approach and smooth defense at third base, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hayes make that jump next season. Raul Siri has also been impressive, hitting for average and getting on base at a strong rate, while showing off his speed with seven stolen bases in eight attempts.
RK: DSL PIRATES
Result: Pirates 4, Mets2 2
Starting Pitcher: Yerry De Los Santos, RHP – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Ramy Perez, 3B – 1-for-2, BB, 3B, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Jeremias Portorreal, RF – 1-for-3, R
Yondry Contreras, CF – 2-for-3, R
Game Notes: Yerry De Los Santos put together one of the better starts for a DSL Pirates pitcher this season, giving up one run over five innings in Tuesday’s 4-2 win. All five hits he allowed were singles and he got seven ground ball outs, to go along with two strikeouts and no walks. He has a 4.75 ERA in eight starts, but has kept the opposition to two earned runs or less in six of those games. All-Star reliever Ramon Garcia got the win, but he had a strange outing. He came into this game with just two walks allowed all season. In two innings, he walked four batters and gave up his third run of the season.
Yondry Contreras had two hits for the second straight day. In his previous seven games combined, he had two hits in 28 at-bats. Jeremias Portorreal had a single and scored a run, raising his average to the .250 mark. With his 32 walks in 32 games, he now has a .432 OBP. He has reached base in 16 straight games. Ramy Perez had the big hit in this game, driving in two runs with a second inning triple.