Below are the lineups, pitchers, and notes for each game. The Triple-A and Double-A squads are home. Also, Duke Welker will be throwing a simulated game. Welker was experiencing some shoulder soreness earlier in Spring Training, before being demoted to minor league camp.
One big difference this year at Pirate City is that the Pirates haven’t been playing many games with their lower level guys. That’s because they don’t have enough position players in the short-season leagues to fill out two teams. There might be some guys currently playing with the A-ball teams who will end up with the short-season teams in 2013. However, I’d expect a few organizational guys to be taken in the June draft if a need is still present.
Triple-A (Home)
Lineup: Andrew Lambo (7), Brett Carroll (8), Matt Hague (DH), Jerry Sands (9), Jared Goedert (5), Matt Curry (3), Ivan De Jesus (6), Oscar Tejeda (4), Adalberto Santos (DH), Carlos Paulino (2)
Pitchers: Brandon Cumpton, Bryan Morris, Erik Cordier, Kyle Waldrop, Robbie Kilcrease
Notes: I could see most of the hitters making the Triple-A squad. Two exceptions would be Curry and Santos. I think that Matt Hague, Jared Goedert, and Clint Robinson will take up time at the infield corners, and the DH spot. That won’t leave Curry with regular playing time, keeping him in Double-A. Santos will be blocked at second base and the corner outfield spots when the final major league cuts come down. Both players could make it to Indianapolis by the end of the year.
Double-A (Home)
Lineup: Andy Vasquez (4), Mel Rojas Jr. (8), Alex Dickerson (DH), Chris Lashmet (3), Stefan Welch (DH), Justin Howard (9), Dan Grovatt (7), Charlie Cutler (2), Kelson Brown (5), Benji Gonzalez (6)
Pitchers: Casey Sadler, Eliecer Navarro, Jhonathan Ramos, Kenn Kasparek, Joan Montero
Notes: I’ve seen some good things out of Mel Rojas Jr. this Spring, but that’s not new. I’ve seen good things out of him the last two years. The problem has been consistency. He would always go on a tear for a few games, then go on a huge slump. He’s been playing a lot with the Double-A squad, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets pushed up a level, even with sub-par results in high-A.
High-A
Lineup: Alen Hanson (6), Taylor Lewis (7), Gregory Polanco (8), Jose Osuna (3), Dan Gamache (4), Willy Garcia (9), Jonathan Schwind (DH), Eric Avila (5), Elias Diaz (2)
Pitchers: Robby Rowland, Josh Smith, Quinton Miller, Nathan Kilcrease, Axel Diaz
Notes: I haven’t had a chance to see Robby Rowland this Spring, since he’s been pitching on the road every time. However, I’m sure I’ll get plenty of chances to see him this season, as it looks like he’ll be going to Bradenton. The Bradenton team could be the best in the system this year, which isn’t a big surprise since it’s most of the 2012 West Virginia roster taking the next step up.
Low-A
Lineup: Jodaneli Carvajal (6), Jimmy Rider (4), Josh Bell (DH), Stetson Allie (3), Jordan Steranka (9), Eric Wood (5), Jesus Vasquez (7), Francisco Diaz (2), Raul Fortunato (8)
Pitchers: Clay Holmes, Lance Breedlove, Tom Harlan, Kevin Kleis, Logan Pevny, Yhonathan Herrand
Notes: Stetson Allie looked pretty good at the plate and on the field yesterday. Check out last night’s Prospect Notebook for the report. West Virginia should have another good team this year. Two of the potential key players are off today — Dilson Herrera and Max Moroff. I was really impressed with Moroff’s range at short in yesterday’s game.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
Just putting this out there….not a fan of the red links. I think it’s hurting my eyes, the red on white.
Tim – what’s your impression so far of Eric Wood? He was drafted pretty high out of Canada I believe.