39 F
Pittsburgh

Premium Article Drop

Pirates Prospects Daily

Pirates Win Opener in Extra Innings

The Pittsburgh Pirates won in extra innings on Opening Day, beating the Miami Marlins by a 6-5 score after a Jared Triolo RBI single...

Prospect Watch

ARCHIVES

Indians Routed In Opener In Columbus

Columbus Clippers 17, �Indianapolis Indians 4 � �(box)

img_1551tabataWe were hoping for a glorious AAA debut for top Pirates' prospect 3B Pedro Alvarez. Instead, it was a glorious AAA debut for a different top prospect -- Clippers' C Carlos Santana. �Santana blasted two home runs, a double, and a single to lead the Columbus Clippers in their rout of the Indianapolis Indians at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio. �And the Indians' performance was anything but glorious.

It really didn't start out too badly. �Starter Kevin Hart walked two batters after two outs in the bottom of the 1st inning, but then got Santana to fly out to end the inning. �He also walked the first batter he faced in the 2nd inning, and then gave up a home run to RF Chris Gimenez. �Hart got out of the 3rd inning with a timely double play, and he had made it through 3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits, throwing 66 pitches, 35 for strikes. �It was the 66th pitch, though, that got him into trouble.

After two quick at-bats, the Indians began the 3rd inning with 2B Brian Friday getting hit by a pitch. �Friday moved to second when SS Argenis Diaz grounded back to the mound, and scored on CF Jose Tabata's (photo) single up the middle. �Tabata stole second base, then Alvarez followed with his first AAA home run -- a rocket-powered shot that hit the roof over the 328 sign in right field. �The idea of the glorious debut was looking good, as the Indians took a 3-2 lead.

In the top of the 4th, Brian Friday was hit by a pitch again. �This time it was a high and inside pitch, that skipped off the top of Friday's helmet (the new big style) as he ducked down and away from the plate. �The Indians were not pleased with Friday being hit twice, and manager Frank Kremblas had a quick chat with home plate umpire David Rackley. �Rackley did not make any motions toward the dugouts though, and did not make any show of warning both managers or benches. �So, when Kevin Hart's 66th pitch, the first one to Carlos Santana in the bottom of the frame, went sailing behind Santana, Hart and his teammates were surprised to hear Rackley immediately toss Hart from the game.

Game 3: Belliard’s Bat Sinks Bucs

Ronnie Belliard had three extra base hits and four RBIs to support the pitching of Chad Billinglsey and the Dodgers bullpen. Paul Maholm failed to notch his first career win against Los Angeles and Garrett Jones failed to reach the seats for the first time in 2010.

Opening Day!

mittIt's Opening Day!

The Indianapolis Indians open on the road in Columbus against the Clippers, with Kevin Hart taking the mound at 7:05 pm.  Former Indian/Pirate Brian Bixler is now playing for the Clippers (Cleveland affiliate).  The Indians' home opener will be next Friday, April 16th.

The Altoona Curve open at home against the Harrisburg Senators (Nationals) at 6:30 pm.  Mike Crotta will get the start for the Curve.

Bryan Morris will be on the mound as the newest Pirates' affiliate, the Bradenton Marauders, play their first game at McKechnie Field.  They will face the Ft. Myer Miracle at 7 pm.

The West Virginia Power begin their season facing the Sand Gnats in Savannah.  The game begins at 7:05 pm with Hunter Strickland getting the start for the Power.

Game 2: Cedeno Delivers Walk Off Knock in 10th

Ronny Cedeno delivered a game winning single in the 10th inning. The Pirates held off a couple of late inning threats from LA and Garrett Jones homered for the third time in two games.

Update on Roster Moves

An update on roster moves made by the Pirates over the past few weeks, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The biggest releases: �lefty pitchers Kyle Bloom and Corey Hamman. Bloom started 21 games for the Altoona Curve in 2009, and earned a 6-9 record with a 4.05 ERA, and 71 strikeouts in 104.1 innings. �Hamman made 29 relief appearances for the Curve and 26 relief appearances for the Indianapolis Indians in 2009, with a combined 1-5 record and one save. �He had a 3.68 ERA for the Curve and an 8.01 ERA for the Indians.

Another surprise was reliever RJ Rodriguez, who had a 6-3 record, a league-leading 27 saves, and a 3.08 ERA for the Lynchburg Hillcats in 2009.

Other pitchers released: �Chris Aure, Gerardo Esparza, Brad Clapp, Papiro Juan, Diomedes Garcia, Edgar Gutierrez, Rafael Quintero, Ricardo Paulino, Andres Santos, Edison Barrios, Harrison Bishop, Chris Cullen, Jose R de los Santos, Wilson Ortiz, Nelson Pereira, Moises Robles

Catchers released: �Jesus Aguilera, Daniel Bomback, Billy Killian, Craig Parry,

Infielders released: Carlos Silva, Chris Garcia, Henry Henry,

Outfielders released: Jeff Corsaletti, Gemmy Gonzalez, Ciro Rosero, Edward Garcia

Killian and Chris Garcia were minor league free agents who must not have worked out. �This de los Santos is not the infielder Jose L De Los Santos -- he is still in the organization, at Altoona.

Some Latin American signings, none of whom are expected to play in the US this season:

RHPs: �Jeffrey Jaquez, Jonas Corporan, Melvin German, Yhonatan Herrand, Luis Alexis Ortiz, Carlos Ruiz, Luis Campos, Miguel Gerreras; LHP: Christopher Richarson; SS Jose Luis Solano; OF Yefaine Jerald, Malfre Ramirez

Minor League Managers and Coaches — Part 2

The second part of who's who in the coaching box for the Pirates' minor league affiliates.

Also, the Curve, the Marauders, and the Power have announced their official Opening Day rosters. �The Indians still have just a tentative roster up. �Rosters can be seen here, and will be updated throughout the season. �{UPDATE: �ok, the Indians have a real roster up now too}

Bradenton Marauders (A+)

Manager PJ Forbes

  • second season as manager of the Pirates' A+ level team (last year it was Lynchburg)
  • 6 seasons as manager in the Phillies' organization
  • 13 seasons as an infielder (mostly second base) in the Angels', Orioles', Rangers', and Phillies' organizations
Hitting Coach Dave Howard
  • first season as hitting coach for the Marauders
  • 2004 - hitting coach for Sarasota
  • scout and minor league fielding coordinator in the Red Sox organization from 2005 - 09
  • drafted by the Pirates in the 24th round in 1989
  • 7 major league seasons with the Royals, and one with the Cardinals, as an infielder

Opening Day photos and video

PNC ParkI was down at the ballpark on Monday, enjoying the wonderful Opening Day festivities. Here are a few photos that I snapped from my upper deck seat, as well as a short video of the game's final out. As usual, check the Flickr feed for additional photos.

Minor League Managers and Coaches — Part 1

Who's who in the coaching box for the Pirates' minor league affiliates: � (part one)

Indianapolis Indians (AAA)

Manager Frank Kremblas

  • second season as Indians' manager
  • had four seasons as manager of AAA Nashville (Brewers)
  • former catcher and infielder in the Reds' organization
  • played for the Indians (mostly infield) in 1993 - 96, and hit .227 with 9 home runs and 68 RBI

Hitting Coach Jeff Branson

  • second season as Indians' hitting coach
  • spent two seasons as manager at Lynchburg and 4 seasons coaching in the Pirates' organization
  • played as an infielder for the Indians in 1997 and 1999, and in the major leagues for the Reds, Indians, and Dodgers

Pitching Coach Dean Traynor

  • first season as the Indians' pitching coach, replacing Ray Searage
  • Curve pitching coach in 2009
  • has been manager and pitching coach for 23 seasons in the minor leagues for the Marlins, Dodgers, Expos, Padres, and Cleveland Indians
  • 5 seasons as a minor league pitcher in the Reds' organization

Altoona Curve (AA)

Manager Matt Walbeck

  • second season as Curve manager
  • managed in the Detroit Tigers' minor league season for 4 seasons
  • Texas Rangers' third base coach in 2008
  • 11 years as a major league catcher �with the Cubs, Twins, Tigers, Angels, and Phillies

Pirates reportedly release Nelson Pereira

Tim Williams of Bucco Fans reports that the Pirates have released pitching prospect Nelson Pereira. Pereira, 21, posted a 3.74 FIP in 49.2 innings...

Game 1: Jones’ Blasts Powers Bucco Offense

The Pirates stretched their Opening Day winning streak to four games. Garrett Jones hit two homers and knocked in three and the Pirates also got three RBI from Ryan Doumit and newcomer Ryan Church. That outburst supported Zach Duke, who earned the win with five innings pitched.

Indy Indians Preview: Steve Pearce and Doug Bernier– And Moss

Two more players for the Indy Indians, who open (along with the rest of the minors) on Thursday:

img_9326pearceSteve Pearce was the Pirates' 8th round pick in the 2005 draft. �He exploded onto the Pirates' radar with an amazing 2007 season, during which he hit .347 with 11 homers and 24 RBI in 19 games at A+ Lynchburg, .334 with 14 homers and 72 RBI in 81 games at AA Altoona, and .320 with 6 homers and 17 RBI in 34 games at AAA Indianapolis. �He made his major league debut on Sept 1st of that year, and hit .294 in 23 games with the Pirates, though without any homers. �The 2008 season was more of a struggle for Pearce. �He was busy learning how to play the outfield while in Indianapolis, and he hit better when he played first base than when he was stationed in right field. �He hit .251 overall for the Indians, with 12 homers and 60 RBI, and earned a call up to the Pirates, but also struggled more there, hitting .248 with 4 homers and 15 RBI in 37 games.

Pearce returned to Indianapolis to begin the 2009 season. �He got off to a very slow start, with just 3 hits in his first 9 games. �He got on a roll in the last 8 games of the month, going 13-for- 33, including ging 4-for-5 with a double and a home run on April 23rd. �That slid into more hitting in the first half of May, when Pearce hit .333. �After another slow week, he had 9 hits in 5 games at the end of the month, including another 4-for-5 game on May 29th. �That gave him a .288 average for the month of May, with 3 homers and 15 RBI.

Moss clears waivers, assigned to Triple-A

Rob Biertempfel tweets that the Pirates will likely trade Brandon Moss for a prospect today.
Pirates Prospects Daily

Pirates Prospects delivered to your inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.