TOP OF THE SYSTEM
A look at how the current top 30 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. If a player is out for the season, he will be removed and everyone below him will move up a spot. Removing these guys doesn’t mean they have lost prospect status. It is just an attempt to get 30 active prospects on the list. Rankings are from early season update, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player pages.
1. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Altoona – Disabled List
2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List
3. Austin Meadows, CF, Bradenton – DNP
4. Josh Bell, 1B, Altoona – 0-for-4
5. Reese McGuire, C, Bradenton – 0-for-4
6. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List
7. Alen Hanson, 2B, Indianapolis – 0-for-3, BB
8. Cole Tucker, SS, West Virginia – DNP
9. Elias Diaz, C, Indianapolis – DNP
10. Mitch Keller, RHP, Extended Spring Training
11. Harold Ramirez, OF, Bradenton – 2-for-2, 2 BB
12. Stephen Tarpley, LHP, West Virginia – DNP
13. JaCoby Jones, SS, Bradenton – 1-for-4
14. Adrian Sampson, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
15. Trey Supak, RHP, Extended Spring Training
16. Gage Hinsz, RHP, Extended Spring Training
17. Barrett Barnes, OF, Bradenton – 0-for-3, BB, 2B
18. Clay Holmes, RHP, Bradenton – Disabled List
19. Cody Dickson, LHP, Bradenton – 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
20. Willy Garcia, OF, Altoona – 2-for-4, RBI, BB
21. John Holdzkom, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
22. Jordan Luplow, 3B, West Virginia – DNP
23. Connor Joe, 1B, West Virginia – DNP
24. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, Bradenton – 1-for-4, 2 RBI
25. Casey Sadler, RHP, Indianapolis – DNP
26. Steven Brault, LHP, Bradenton – DNP
27. Tito Polo, OF, West Virginia – DNP
28. Tyler Eppler, RHP, Extended Spring Training
29. Luis Heredia, RHP, Bradenton – DNP
30. Taylor Gushue, C, West Virginia – DNP
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Pitcher: Cody Dickson, LHP – 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Stetson Allie, RF – 3-for-4, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI
Home Runs: Stetson Allie (9), Gift Ngoepe (3), Jaff Decker (2)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 4, Gwinnett 3
Starting Pitcher: Clayton Richard, LHP – 5.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jaff Decker, PH – 1-for-1, HR, R, RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Mel Rojas, Jr. – 1-for-4, 2B
Game Notes: For his past few starts, Clayton Richard has had success and spread out the hits throughout the outing. On Saturday, it caught up with him. After five scoreless frames, Richard allowed three runners to cross the plate in the sixth and was not able to finish the frame. Another thing that Richard has not been doing is walking hitters, as he had four in his previous four starts. In the sixth innings, he also walked a pair.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Altoona 8, New Hampshire 5
Starting Pitcher: Matt Benedict, RHP – 6.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Stetson Allie, RF – 3-for-4, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Jose Osuna, LF – 2-for-5
Max Moroff, 2B – 3-for-5, 2 2B
Gift Ngoepe, SS – 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Game Notes: Stetson Allie had himself a night, going 3-for-4 from the plate and collecting eight total bases with a home run and two doubles. The home run was a blast to left center field that got out quickly and was estimated (non-scientifically by media and myself in the press box) to be at least 430 feet. His two doubles were both ripped down the left field line, one off of the bottom of the wall. It was a great hitting night for Allie; however, he was not able to get the ball in play, striking out, with the bases loaded and one out in the 7th.
As for the 7th, Jacob Stallings came to the plate after Allie and worked the pitcher to a full count before lining a bases clearing double to the left center gap. It’s been a roller coaster few days for Stallings, catching 18 innings on Thursday, pitching to one batter and recording the last out yesterday, and hitting a game changing double tonight. He currently is riding an 18 game on-base streak.
Max Moroff had a notable night at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, a hard hit single, and another hit that the center fielder caught up to which could have easily been a double. Moroff’s batting average dipped below .300 for the first time since May 1st on Thursday, and it was great to see him recover with a strong night at the plate.
Gift Ngoepe homered and collected two hits for the Curve, raising his batting average back to .273 on the season. Willy Garcia had two hits, extending his hit streak to 18 games, three shy of the Altoona Curve team record.
Matt Benedict struggled in the fourth inning, allowing three singles, a walk, and a homer to give up five runs. Otherwise, Benedict threw 60 strikes on 98 pitches, had two walks, and was able to finish six innings for a Curve team with a taxed bullpen.
Jeff Inman continues to be on a roll, pitching two innings in relief, striking out five and facing the minimum six in those two innings. He has yet to give up a run in 13.1 innings pitched. He looks dominant on the mound, with opposing teams not able to make good contact at all against him. – Sean McCool
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 3, Ft Myers 2
Starting Pitcher: Cody Dickson, LHP – 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Harold Ramirez, RF – 2-for-2, 2 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Wyatt Mathisen, 3B – 1-for-4, 2 RBI
Barrett Barnes, LF – 0-for-3, BB, SB
Game Notes: Cody Dickson had a solid outing, pitching into the seventh inning and allowing two runs. He had six strikeouts, which is his season best. Last year, he had six or more strikeouts in seven of his starts. Dickson now has a 4.39 ERA in 65.2 innings this season.
Harold Ramirez reached base in all four plate appearances, collecting two singles and walking twice. Wyatt Mathisen had the big hit on offense, a two-run single in the sixth inning. Barrett Barnes stole his eighth base of the year. Jordan Steranka’s double was the only extra-base hit of the game for Bradenton.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
West Virginia was postponed on Saturday. They will play a Sunday doubleheader.
RK: DSL PIRATES
Result: Brewers 6, Pirates 5
Starting Pitcher: Miguel Hernandez, RHP – 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Felix Vinicio, DH – 2-for-3, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Eddy Vizcaino, LF – 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Yondry Contreras, CF – 1-for-5
Game Notes: The Pirates have got some great pitching from their starters the last three days. Miguel Hernandez gave up just one unearned run on Saturday, following Adonis Pichardo and Domingo Robles, who combined for one run over ten innings. This game was lost late by the bullpen, with the Brewers putting up two runs in the bottom of the seventh and three runs in the eight.
Left fielder Eddy Vizcaino had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run. He is hitting .308 in his rookie season. Shortstop Melvin Jimenez had his 12-game hit streak snapped, though he did reach base with a walk. Catcher Ramy Perez is the only healthy catcher on the roster this week after starting catcher Mikell Granberry injured his arm during catching drills(he will be back Monday). Perez took the extra playing time and made the most of it, collecting eight hits, scoring six runs and driving in seven runs in four games.