TOP OF THE SYSTEM
A look at how the current top 20 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. Rankings are from the pre-season rankings, and links to each prospect writeup can be found by clicking the player names below. Players who weren’t in the original top 20 are linked to their player page on the site.
1. Gerrit Cole, RHP, Indianapolis (5-3, 2.91) – 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Altoona (3-5, 3.65) – DNP
3. Gregory Polanco, CF, Bradenton (.320) – DNP
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Bradenton (.281) – DNP
5. Luis Heredia, RHP, Extended Spring Training (UPDATE: Where Will Heredia Start the Year?)
6. Josh Bell, RF, West Virginia (.271) – DNP
7. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia (.220) – Low-A DL (UPDATE: Barnes Returning Soon)
8. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, West Virginia (3-1, 3.21) – DNP
9. Kyle McPherson, RHP, Indianapolis (0-1, 19.29) – Triple-A DL
10. Nick Kingham, RHP, Bradenton (6-3, 3.09) – DNP
11. Clay Holmes, RHP, West Virginia (2-4, 5.04) – DNP
12. Dilson Herrera, 2B, West Virginia (.294) – DNP
13. Tony Sanchez, C, Indianapolis (.297) – DNP
14. Bryan Morris, RHP, Indianapolis (0-0, 1.42) – In Majors
15. Wyatt Mathisen, C, West Virginia (.185) – Low-A DL
16. Adrian Sampson, RHP, Bradenton (2-2, 5.96) – DNP
17. Vic Black, RHP, Indianapolis (0-2, 2.63) – Triple-A DL
18. Andy Oliver, LHP, Indianapolis (3-2, 2.87) – DNP
19. Jin-De Jhang, C, Extended Spring Training
20. Stolmy Pimentel, RHP, Altoona (3-3, 3.84) – 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HR
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DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Andrew Lambo, 1B-LF (.292) – 2-for-3, 2B, BB, 2 RBI, SB
Home Runs: None
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 1, Durham 0
Starting Pitcher: Gerrit Cole, RHP (5-3, 2.91) – 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Josh Harrison, DH (.304) – 2-for-2, 2B
Other Notable Performers:
Felix Pie, LF (.282) – 1-for-4, 2B
Kris Johnson, LHP (3.49) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Shortly before Gerrit Cole took the mound today, Wandy Rodriguez left his start with tightness in his left elbow. I wrote earlier that Cole is the best option to take over if Rodriguez goes on the disabled list, and that the next two starts would be a good time for him to step up. Cole did just that today, throwing seven shutout innings and extending his shutout inning streak to 19.2 straight innings. He’s not dominating hitters with strikeouts, but he was efficient tonight, and all against a talented lineup that had prospects like Tim Beckham and Wil Myers. Cole doesn’t look like he’s ready to be an ace, but he’s looking more and more like he’d be ready for the majors.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Altoona 7, Reading 3
Starting Pitcher: Stolmy Pimentel, RHP (3-3, 3.84) – 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Andrew Lambo, 1B-LF (.292) – 2-for-3, 2B, BB, 2 RBI, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Mel Rojas, CF (.263) – 2-for-4, 3B, BB
Adalberto Santos, 3B (.239) – 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Game Notes: Stolmy Pimentel had been struggling in his last five starts. He gave up 25 earned runs in 28 innings after getting off to a dominant start at the beginning of the season. Tonight he got back on track, pitching more like the first six starts than the last five. He did give up a few runs, with one unearned. Another came on a solo homer, which has been an issue for him. He’s given up eight homers in his last seven games after none in his first five. Pimentel did strike out seven, which was the first time he struck out a batter an inning since April 24th. Andrew Lambo is tearing up the Eastern League, with a .310 average and a 1.094 OPS in his last ten games. Mel Rojas is also on a hot streak, with a .405 average and a 1.048 OPS in his last ten games.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Bradenton was postponed today. They will play a double header tomorrow.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
West Virginia had their game suspended in the third inning with Delmarva up 1-0. It will be resumed tomorrow.
Tim: I did not foresee the problems with Jeanmar Gomez last week and then Wandy yesterday when I predicted a week or two ago that Cole would be staying at the Marriott across the street from PNC by June 10 and would be the SP against the Giants on June 11. The day off today helps the Pirates – Liriano Friday, then Burnett Saturday, Locke Sunday, day off Monday (I think) and then Gerrit Cole on Tuesday night at PNC. I love it when a good plan comes together. He will be a crowd draw and it would be near impossible for the Pirates to ignore almost 20 straight shutout innings at AAA – he may or may not be ready, but he has certainly put up the numbers that qualify for him to get the opportunity.
I bet Morton and JMac come back before they promote Cole.
Just a hunch.
🙂
I would take a stat line like Cole’s any time, but it’s just very perplexing how he and Taillon miss so few bats with the kind of stuff they are supposed to have. Not complaining, just perplexed.
i think youre missing something more promising: no one is squaring up on Cole.
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cole has given up 4 homers with 3 of them coming in one start. batters are hitting less than .200 against him. many reports have hitters just trying to make contact and not hitting anything hard.
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would more Ks be nice? yeah. duh. hes still pitching very well and its because hes contolling the free passes and keeping the ball in the yard
Perhaps they’re being taught to pitch to contact?
Just guessing…as perplexed as you are…
Pitching to contact or not, they throw in the high 90’s with some nasty secondary pitches. By default they should be getting more strikeouts just by mixing their pitches. Generally power pitchers don’t have to count on contact to get their outs. Regardless, like I said, I would take Cole’s stat line anytime.