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Morning Report: Where are the 2014 Draft Picks?

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In yesterday’s Morning Report, I took at look at the 2015 draft picks of the Pirates and their progress through the system. It was a comparison between last year and this year, showing that the Pirates have moved the group through the system rather quickly. That group went from four players in Bradenton (and none above) at this time last year, to seven players in Altoona and 11 in Bradenton this season. It was also interesting to note that 31 of the 33 draft picks were still around.

For comparison, here are the 2014 draft picks and how they have progressed. For this one, I’m going to go through the players individually, listing where they were at this time last year and where they are this season. As a note, only 26 of the 32 players signed were still in the system at this time last year and I’m not including them below. One was traded (Trey Supak), one retired (John Sever) and David Andriese, Palmer Betters, Michael Clemens and Eric Dorsch were all released.

Cole Tucker – Last year at this time he was in Extended Spring Training (EST) rehabbing from his labrum surgery. Now he’s the shortstop for Bradenton.

Connor Joe – Third baseman for Bradenton last year, now he’s mostly at first base for Altoona.

Mitch Keller – Just gaining attention as a starter for West Virginia last year. He’s the #1 pitching prospect in the system, starting at Bradenton.

Jordan Luplow – Has gone from the outfield in Bradenton to the outfield in Altoona.

Taylor Gushue – Went from catcher for Bradenton to catching in the Washington system after being traded for Chris Bostick.

Michael Suchy – Same as Luplow.

Tyler Eppler – Altoona starter to Indianapolis rotation.

Nelson Jorge – Has gone from EST to mayor of EST.

Austin Coley – Starter for Bradenton last year, to spot starter/long relief for Altoona this year.

Kevin Krause – In EST recovering from Tommy John surgery, to backup outfielder for Bradenton this year.

Alex McRae – Starter for Bradenton last year, to starting for Altoona this year.

Gage Hinsz – In EST, weeks away from joining West Virginia. Now in the Bradenton rotation.

Tyler Filliben – West Virginia bench last year, released after the season.

Frank Duncan – Altoona bullpen, though not far from going to Indianapolis rotation. Now he’s learning that pitching in Reno (PCL) isn’t fun for anyone except the hitters.

Chase Simpson – 1B/3B for Bradenton, to same role in Altoona.

Sam Street – Reliever for Bradenton last year and this year.

Erik Lunde – Third string catcher for Bradenton, released last year.

Carl Anderson – Injured in EST last year, retired after the season due to injuries.

Eric Thomas Jr – In EST, released a short time later.

Eric Karch – West Virginia bullpen, released last year.

Erik Forgione – In EST, retired this spring.

Jerrick Suiter – Bradenton first baseman, now in EST returning from an injury. Appears to be headed to Altoona when healthy.

Jess Amedee – EST last year, now in Bradenton bullpen.

Nick Neumann – Reliever for Bradenton, released this spring.

Luis Paula – Injured in EST, released this off-season.

Montana DuRapau – Currently Altoona’s closer for the second straight season.

So here’s the current breakdown of the 32 draft picks:

Indianapolis: One player (Eppler)

Altoona: Seven players

Bradenton: Six players

Ten players released, three traded, three retired, one injured, one in EST.

PIRATES GAME GRAPH


Source: FanGraphs

TODAY’S SCHEDULE

Today’s Starter and Notes: The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 11-5 on Saturday to the New York Yankees. They now send Ivan Nova to the mound for his fourth start of the season. In his last outing, he allowed two runs over eight innings in a complete game loss to the St Louis Cardinals. His opponent will be 24-year-old lefty Jordan Montgomery, who is making his third career start.

In the minors, Yeudy Garcia makes his third start of the season and hopes for better results than his first two games. He reached his pitch limit before getting out of the first inning in his season debut, then had a rough four innings in his next start. West Virginia was rained out yesterday. They will make that game up as part of a doubleheader today. No starter has been listed for game two, while James Marvel is scheduled for the opener.

MLB: Pittsburgh (7-10) vs Yankees (11-6) 1:35 PM
Probable starter: Ivan Nova (2.25 ERA, 0:8 BB/SO, 20.0 IP)

AAA: Indianapolis (4-12) vs Scranton-WB (8-7) 1:35 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Drew Hutchison (5.51 ERA, 7:13 BB/SO, 16.1 IP)

AA: Altoona (9-6) @ Akron (6-9) 2:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Yeudy Garcia (9.64 ERA, 3:4 BB/SO, 4.2 IP)

High-A: Bradenton (9-8) vs Jupiter (9-8) 1:00 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Pedro Vasquez (2.63 ERA, 2:11 BB/SO, 13.2 IP)

Low-A: West Virginia (7-9) vs Lakewood (9-7) 12:05 PM DH (season preview)
Probable starter: James Marvel (1.93 ERA, 5:14 BB/SO, 14.0 IP) and TBD

HIGHLIGHTS

Here is the full at-bat from Steven Brault’s ninth strikeout on Friday night.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

4/20: Chris Diaz assigned to Altoona

4/19: Brett McKinney assigned to Extended Spring Training. Johnny Barbato added to Indianapolis roster.

4/18: Starling Marte suspended 80 games by MLB. Pirates recall Jose Osuna

4/18: Brandon Waddell placed on disabled list

4/18: Joey Terdoslavich added to Indianapolis roster

4/18: Pedro Vasquez added to Bradenton roster. Julio Eusebio assigned to Extended Spring Training

4/17: Pirates acquire Johnny Barbato from New York Yankees. Barbato optioned to Indianapolis.

4/15: Cam Vieaux added to West Virginia roster. Mike Wallace assigned to Extended Spring Training

4/13: Julio Eusebio added to Bradenton roster. Pedro Vasquez assigned to Extended Spring Training

THIS DATE IN PIRATES HISTORY

Five former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, including one that made his only big league appearances in a significant game in Pirates history. Connie Walsh pitched one inning in the Majors, playing his only game on September 16,1907. He pitched in relief of Babe Adams, who was making his first start with the Pirates. Adams went on to win 194 games with the Pirates, the second highest total in team history. Walsh gave up one run on a walk and a hit in his inning. He pitched in the minors until 1914 and managed for three seasons, but never made it back to the Majors. During that Walsh/Adams game, the Pirates lost 5-1 to the St Louis Cardinals in a game that took 90 minutes to play. It was the second game of a doubleheader. The Pirates won game one by a 4-2 score.

Other Pirates players born on this date include: Pitcher Dave Davidson (2007), pitcher Ron Blackburn (1958-59), pitcher Ray Starr (1944-45) and outfielder Bob Ganley (1905-06). Ganley was a late-season addition in 1905, hitting .315 in 32 games. That earned him the right field job in 1906, and he hit .258 with 41 walks, 63 runs scored and 19 stolen bases in 137 games. The Pirates sold him to the Washington Senators at the end of the season.

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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