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 mid-season rankings, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player page.
1. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Altoona (3-7, 3.75) – 3.1 IP, 13 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
2. Gregory Polanco, CF, Altoona (.287) – DNP
3. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, West Virginia (5-2, 2.48) – DNP
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Bradenton (.280) – 0-for-8, 5 K
5. Austin Meadows, CF, GCL Pirates (.118) – 1-for-4
6. Josh Bell, RF, West Virginia (.282) – 2-for-3, 2 2B, BB
7. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona (2-2, 3.41) – DNP
8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power (1-1, 1.59) – DNP
9. Reese McGuire, C, GCL Pirates (.519) – DNP
10. Dilson Herrera, 2B, West Virginia (.260) – DNP
11. Tony Sanchez, C, Indianapolis (.282) – 2-for-9, 2B, 2 RBI
12. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia (.248) – 1-for-5
13. Kyle McPherson, RHP, Indianapolis (0-1, 19.29) – Triple-A DL
14. Stetson Allie, 1B, Bradenton (.233) – 2-for-6, 2B
15. Wyatt Mathisen, C, West Virginia (.185) – Low-A DL
16. Clay Holmes, RHP, West Virginia (3-5, 4.59) – DNP
17. Stolmy Pimentel, RHP, Indianapolis (2-1, 2.77) – DNP
18. Vic Black, RHP, Indianapolis (1-2, 2.18) – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
19. Harold Ramirez, CF, Jamestown (.337) – 2-for-4, BB
20. Blake Taylor, LHP, GCL Pirates (0-0, 0.00) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
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DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Brian Bocock, SS (.190) – 4-for-11, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB
Home Runs: Jared Goedert (10), Felix Pie (7), Brian Bocock 2 (1, 2), Jeff Larish (2), Danny Collins (6)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 9, Columbus 6
Starting Pitcher: Andy Oliver, LHP (3.29) – 3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Brian Bocock, SS (.196) – 2-for-7, 2 HR, 3 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Jared Goedert, 2B (.250) – 3-for-8, HR, 2 RBI
Felix Pie, CF (.260) – 3-for-8, 3B, HR, 2 RBI
Tony Sanchez, C (.294) – 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Jerry Sands, 1B (.207) – 4-for-7, BB
Duke Welker, RHP (2.95) – 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Atahualpa Severino, RHP (2.59) – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Vic Black, RHP (2.18) – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Indianapolis resumed their game from a few days ago, which was postponed tied at 4-4 in the 13th inning. Andy Oliver threw 74 pitches, with 39 strikes in three innings. The Indians bullpen had a big game, giving up two earned runs (three runs) in 13 innings. Brian Bocock hit two homers in this game. The first one came a few days ago in the fourth inning. The second homer came today when the game resumed, helping to give the Indians the lead in the 16th inning. Jared Goedert hit his tenth homer of the year. Felix Pie hit his seventh homer of the year, and his third in his last eight games.
Result: Columbus 5, Indianapolis 2
Starting Pitcher: Brandon Cumpton, RHP (3.53) – 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jeff Larish, DH (.170) – 1-for-2, HR, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Ivan De Jesus, 2B (.330) – 2-for-3, 2B
Jose Contreras, RHP (0.93) – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Brandon Cumpton has given up two or fewer earned runs in eight of his last ten games. Since coming back down from his last start he has given up three earned runs in 11.1 innings, with a 7:5 K/BB ratio. Jose Contreras now has an 0.93 ERA in 19.1 innings in Triple-A, with a 24:5 K/BB ratio. Since going back down to Triple-A he has given up one earned run in 16.1 innings, with a 19:5 K/BB ratio. Jeff Larish hit his second homer of the year.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Akron 10, Altoona 3
Starting Pitcher: Jameson Taillon, RHP (3-7, 3.75) – 3.1 IP, 13 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Alex Dickerson, RF (.266) – 2-for-4
Other Notable Performers:
Charlie Cutler, DH (.304) – 2-for-4, 2B
Game Notes: Jameson Taillon was hit hard tonight. He gave up five runs in the first inning, then five more in the fourth. That was more earned runs than he gave up in his last six starts. The start raised Taillon’s ERA from 2.94 to 3.75. Alex Dickerson went 2-for-4, and has a .359/.405/.564 line in 39 at-bats in the month of July. Mel Rojas has been hot lately, although he went 0-for-5 tonight with four strikeouts.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Tampa 10, Bradenton 0
Starting Pitcher: Robby Rowland, RHP (3-7, 4.91) – 4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Stetson Allie, DH (.260) – 2-for-3, 2B
Other Notable Performers:
Jose Osuna, 1B (.236) – 1-for-3, 2B
Result: Tampa 3, Bradenton 2
Starting Pitcher: Pat Ludwig, RHP (3.18) – 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jose Osuna, 1B (.236) – 1-for-3, 2B
Other Notable Performers:
Ryan Beckman, RHP (4.00) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Stetson Allie has picked it up at the plate lately. In his last ten games he has a .294/.400/.529 line in 34 at-bats, with two doubles and two homers. Jose Osuna had two doubles on the night, giving him 13 on the year. Robby Rowland struggled in game one, and has been doing the same lately. In his last ten starts he has a 5.24 ERA in 44.2 innings, with a 19:27 K/BB ratio. Pat Ludwig made the start in game two. He has a 3.18 ERA in 11.1 innings in his time with Bradenton. Alen Hanson combined to go 0-for-8 with five strikeouts.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: West Virginia 5, Asheville 1
Starting Pitcher: John Kuchno, RHP (4-4, 4.65) – 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Josh Bell, RF (.282) – 2-for-3, 2 2B, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Eric Wood, 3B (.238) – 2-for-4
Game Notes: Josh Bell hit two doubles, giving him 26 on the year. Five of those doubles have come in eight games in the month of July. Eric Wood had a great month of April, but had a .677 OPS in May, a .563 OPS in June, and has a .454 OPS in July. He’s been on a mini hot streak lately, going 4-for-10 in his last three games. John Kuchno had his best start as a pro. It was the first time he went beyond six innings in his career, and only the fourth time he pitched six innings or more.
A-: JAMESTOWN JAMMERS
Result: Lowell 5, Jamestown 4
Starting Pitcher: Isaac Sanchez, RHP (4.09) – 4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: JaCoby Jones, CF (.375) – 2-for-5, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Adam Frazier, SS (.361) – 2-for-5
Harold Ramirez, RF (.337) – 2-for-4, BB
Danny Collins, 1B (.278) – 1-for-5, HR
Erich Weiss, 3B (.300) – 2-for-4, 2B
Game Notes: JaCoby Jones now has a .375 average and a 1.005 OPS in his first nine games as a pro. Harold Ramirez continues his hot month of July, with a .478/.564/.674 line in 46 at-bats. He has seven multi-hit games in his last nine games, along with three straight multi-hit games where he has gone 8-for-13. Danny Collins hit his sixth homer of the year.
RK: GCL PIRATES
Result: Phillies 5, Pirates 1
Starting Pitcher: Blake Taylor, LHP (0.00) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Ulises Montilla, 2B (.296) – 2-for-3, 2B, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Adam Landecker, 3B (.281) – 2-for-4, 2B
Austin Meadows, CF (.118) – 1-for-4
Game Notes: Second round pick Blake Taylor made his pro debut, throwing two perfect innings with two strikeouts. Ulises Montilla picked up his eighth double in his last ten games. On the season he has a .296/.403/.519 line in 54 at-bats, with ten doubles and a triple.
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.
Dylan Bundy had a 7.02 K/9 and 4.32 B/9 in 3 AA starts before being inexplicably called up to the majors to blow out his elbow. He is the poster boy for exactly how NOT to handle a prep pitching prospect. But if you consider that to be dominant, then you should be thrilled with Taillon’s 8.5 and 3.1, and the fact that he’s tied for 4th in the league in Ks, 9th in IP, and is an Eastern League All Star.
I never said Taillon has been pitching great all season, or that he should or shouldn’t be dominating the Eastern League. He has had some dominate performances (twice hitting 10 Ks) mixed in with poor performances like last night. The idea isn’t to dominate the Eastern League, it’s to continue to develop and become more consistent so when he gets to Pittsbugh next summer, he can dominate the National League. You want him to get there and stick, and not get sent down repeatedly like Baily, or overthrow and blow out his elbow like Bundy.
Good grief, one bad start in AA and the sky is falling, the sky is falling. Lets hurry up and trade him away… Before that game his numbers were sparkling and he deserved to move up a level. Short memory, move on, nothing to see here. He’s right on track ok.
It was one awful start last night, but he has been mostly mediocre at best for the past 1-2 months. If was pitching great all season, and had the one bad start, I would not be concerned at all.
Thats just not true. Since June 1st, not including last night, he’s had 1 start where he gave up more than 2 ER and he’s got a 23:7 k:bb rate in 34.1 IP. He’s not mediocre, he’s right on track to be in Pittsburgh next June. Just because he’s not in your timetable doesn’t make him mediocre or a disappointment. It’s a process and he’s going to have bumps along the way, but it doesn’t take anything away from his prospect status or lower his ceiling at all. He’s still one of the top RHP prospects in baseball pitching in what would have been his junior year in college. I can’t even believe I have to defend this guy. Find someone else to throw under the bus cuz Taillon is just fine.
Well, I guess my expectations for a pitcher who is supposed to be a dominant pitcher are much higher than yours. He is not facing the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, or St Louis Cardinals – these Eastern League lineups are pretty week. One could argue that David Bromberg has outpitched Taillon over the past month or more.
I hope he does turn it around and end up being the pitcher he is projected to be, as I’ve been a PIrates fan since 1970.
On another note, he is not as highly ranked on the prospects list as he was – he is still in most top 10-15, but he is dropped down several spots over the past year – and he will drop more if he doesn’t start pitching better.
On top of all of that, he’s probably staring a promotion right in the face. He made 23 starts at WV before moving up, and 23 in Bradenton before he was moved. Give him another 2-3 starts to recover and he could be in Indy by the end of the month. And then you can complain when he doesn’t K 15 per IP in his first taste of AAA.
Objective? You’re throwing out blanket statements like “he’s been mostly mediocre at best” , and “he needs to start earning that huge contract”. And these ridiculous expectations like he “should be knocking on the door for a call-up to Pittsburgh”. When is the last time a 21 year old stepped on the mound for the Bucs, cuz that’s what you asking for and expect from him.
I’m not his uncle, but your opinions about what he should be doing are just absurd. And he just might turn into Harvey, but you’ve got to give him a chance. Harvey was taken out of college and still needed almost 50 starts and 225+ IP in the minors before he made it. Baily is a better comp as he was also drafted in the top 10 as a prep pitcher, but guess what? He still needed parts of 5 seasons in the minors and 94 starts before he stuck in the Reds rotation.
Taillons performance and where he has developed to are completely fine and in line with what should be expected. I think it’s your expectations that are a little unreasonable at this point. Again, just let him keep pitching and developing and he will be in Pittsburgh next summer. One bad start doesn’t make him a disappointment and won’t keep him from making it to the Bigs.
Okay, in your mind he has been pitching great all season – and last night was his first sub-par performance. That isn’t reality, but keep believing that. With his stuff, he should be dominating AA – I don’t care if he is 21 or 25. His performance does not equate to his talent level. In fact, since the first two months of the season, he has actually regressed – if we are willing to be honest about it. Dylan Bundy managed to be pretty dominating in AA and I believe he was even younger.
In the future, I will try to not post anything that might be considered negative about any Pirates prospects.
Bostons – Can we stop with the absurd statements – I never said anything about expecting 15 Ks per 9 innings, so drop that crap. You lose all credibility with statements like that. You can disagree with me if you want, but don’t stoop to distorting my concerns with sarcasm.
I’m sorry, I didn’t know making a objective observations about a player is now considered bashing?? Are you his father in law or uncle??
23 Ks in 34 innings in AA – big deal. Take away his name and where he was taken in the draft, he wouldn’t be in the top 50 just based on performance to date. I was hoping he would be our version of Matt Harvey – now I am just hoping he will at least be Homer Bailey.
I love my Pirates, but I am not so blind that I cannot be objective. INMHO, Kingham has already passed him up – and Glasnow is right on his bumper. He needs to start earning that huge contract.
Bromberg has pitched in the Eastern League for parts of 4 seasons with almost 70 starts! I would expect him to be able to handle hitters at that level by now. Taillon has 21 starts at the level, or about 2/3 of a full season. Just let the kid pitch and you will see him in Pittsburgh next Summer.
And to be seen as one of the top 10-15 prospects for 3 straight years is exactly what you want to see from him. He’s holding his value as he moves from level to level. You really need to find someone else to bash on.
Big league team is good, farm system is very good…people will always complain about something. One bad start means a guy’s a disappointment these days, I guess.
Amen BC. As I stated above, his AA numbers are very similar to Wheeler’s. About a K per inning, and a little too wild to go along with that.
And oh yeah…its one start.
We really have to stop thinking these guys are untouchable. I’m not saying trade them away for anything, but with the well documented risks of ‘potential’ in baseball, if we wouldn’t trade JT and Polanco for Stanton, we’re nuts.
Ya think Florida would make that deal?
I think not!
jmho
I wouldnt worry too much just yet. Most that are really worried about Taillon are those who still pine for Machado.
I was wondering the same about the Jammers roster, they are killing it right now. Funny, all this time State College wanted a team with decent offense, and now it’s in another town.
I still pine for Machado. I thought it was the wrong pick at the time and still do.
However, I also USED to think JT was going to be better than Cole.
No more, though.
I think JT will be ‘okay’, but nothing more.
Luckily, right now, we can wait for JT to hopefully iron things out.
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Foo
I think you’re reading a bit too much into one start from last night. Yes, that was a terrible start, and raised his ERA about a whole run, but before that start, he’d had a pretty solid year.
His numbers at AA are actually very comparable to Zack Wheeler’s were at AA Binghamton. Pretty early in a guy’s career to just say he’s going to be OK and leave it at that.
Minor bump in the road for Taillon. The Minor League system exists in part for this very reason. Let him take his lumps at this level and learn how to adjust and overcome adversity before he gets to the Show. My money is on a solid outing the next time out for Jameson.
realize it’s a small sample size, but any reason to think that Jamestown has a better than usual group of position players? I thought the NYPL was notorious for pitcher friendly parks but they seem to be hitting lights out lately… is their home park more friendly than most of something else that’s not easily understood from the daily prospect reports?
Wow, what a disappointment Taillon has been this year?? I would have thought he would be in AAA by now and knocking on the door for a call-up to Pittsburgh.
Its a good thing guys like Glasnow, Cumpton, and Kingham have all stepped up this year.
I don’t think he’s been a disappointment at all, really. There are some things he needs to work on (bringing down the walks) but he’s basically been striking out a batter per inning. He may take a little longer than initially thought, but that doesn’t make him a disappointment.
So, you think a pitcher who was drafted as high as he is, has the stuff he supposedly has, should have a losing record and ERA of close to 4.00 in AA? I don’t know how you could not be disappointed in his performance to date. This year, on most of the AA teams in the Eastern League, the lineups are very subpar – he should be dominating them.
I have not given up on him, but it is time for him to step up. He’s not even the best SP on Altoona’s staff – Kingham is.
Thats such a Johnny-come-lately comment, I don’t know where to begin. One horrific outing like last night can destroy a pitcher’s ERA, as BC just pointed out. Remember last year when Burnett got blasted in St. Louis and that skewed his ERA for about a month? Taillon was under 3.00 until yesterday…thats pretty freakin good.
Did you think he was going to K about 15 per 9? Cause no one really does that. What are you looking for in terms of numbers? What are your expectations? His numbers are very similar to Zack Wheeler right now…very good, not great.
I would expect he would have a winning record, in spite of being on a mediocre team, I would expect him to have dominate most AA teams – and appear to be heads and shoulders better than the competition he is facing. I would expect him to be easily the team’s best starting pitcher. Last night was his first awful start, but he has been far less than dominant over his past 4-5 starts.
I never said anything remotely close expecting 5 Ks per 9 innings, so quit the condescending crap.
Lighten up, you’re the one who’s all doom and gloom. And I actually said 15K per 9, but who’s counting. You need to define what you mean by dominating…you’ve said the same thing in every post without really defining what you’re after.
Winning record means nothing. The first half of the year, before Polanco got called up and Dickerson got hot, Altoona’s offense was Andrew Lambo and the 8 dwarves. Taillon has pitched quite well for almost the entire year. He’s tied for 5th in the organization in K’s. Your claim that he hasn’t done well in the last 4-5 starts (outside of last night) is wrong too. Look at the game log; the last 5 starts he had allowed no more than 2 runs in any of those games.
id be happy if he struck out as many batters as Bromberg does on a consistent basis!
His ERA was under 3 before last night… It was one bad start.
I wanted Machado at the time and will continue to feel we blew it, until (if?) JT makes it. Boy, would MM look good at ss. I am tired of Baltimore getting guys WE should’ve drafted.
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Foo
Other than Wieters and Machado, who fits that category for you? Bundy? I’m a recent Bucs fan, so my history kind of only goes back to 2007.