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Prospect Watch: Chris Plitt Off to a Strong Start in His Pro Career

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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 – 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

29Luis 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

Box Score

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

Box Score

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.

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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