Gift Ngoepe, SS, Altoona – 6.42 RC
Stats: 8-for-21, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 BB
Notes: Ngoepe didn’t just have the best week last week for any Pirates’ hitter, he’s had one of the best months in the system. He is hitting .356/.440/.507 in 22 games in May, which is twice as good as he was last month, literally. He had a .172/.232/.250 slash line at the end of April and it looked like Adam Frazier was going to take over at shortstop in Altoona. Ngoepe hasn’t stopped hitting since the calendar changed and he’s been in the lineup everyday at shortstop. Between his great defense and above-average speed, Ngoepe could eventually make it to the Majors as a utility player if he continues to hit like he is this month.