A look at how the current top 30 prospects did today. If a player is in the majors for an extended time (Jose Osuna), or loses his prospect eligibility, he will be removed from this list. 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 more active prospects on the list. Rankings are from the 2017 Prospect Guide, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player pages.
1. Austin Meadows, CF, Indianapolis -[insert_php]
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2. Mitch Keller, RHP, Bradenton – [insert_php]
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3. Kevin Newman, SS, Altoona – [insert_php]
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4. Cole Tucker, SS, Bradenton – [insert_php]
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5. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Bradenton -[insert_php]
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6. Will Craig, 3B, Bradenton – [insert_php]
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7. Taylor Hearn, LHP, Bradenton – [insert_php]
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8. Gage Hinsz, RHP, Bradenton – [insert_php]
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9. Nick Kingham, RHP, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
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10. Steven Brault, LHP, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
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11. Clay Holmes, RHP, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
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12. Braeden Ogle, LHP, Bristol – [insert_php]
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13. Max Kranick, RHP, GCL Pirates – [insert_php]
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14. Elias Diaz, C, Pirates – [insert_php]
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15. Edgar Santana, RHP, Pirates – [insert_php]
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16. Luis Escobar, RHP, West Virginia – [insert_php]
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17. Dovydas Neverauskas, RHP, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
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18. Yeudy Garcia, RHP, Altoona -[insert_php]
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19. Kevin Kramer, 2B, Altoona -[insert_php]
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20. Tyler Eppler, RHP, Indianapolis -[insert_php]
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21. Stephen Alemais, SS, West Virginia – [insert_php]
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22. Brandon Waddell, LHP, Altoona – [insert_php]
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23. Travis MacGregor, RHP, Bristol – [insert_php]
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24. Barrett Barnes, LF, Indianapolis -[insert_php]
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25. Max Moroff, 2B, Pirates -[insert_php]
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26. Eric Wood, 3B, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
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27. J.T. Brubaker, RHP, Altoona – [insert_php]
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28. Chris Bostick, INF/OF, Indianapolis – [insert_php]
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29. Connor Joe, 3B, Altoona – [insert_php]
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30. Jin-De Jhang, C, Altoona – [insert_php]
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INDIANAPOLIS — He wasn’t as sharp as his previous start, but Steven Brault still had a high level of effectiveness.
Brault overcame some command issues with his slider to put together a solid start against Columbus, allowing one run on three hits in six innings.
That’s how effective Brault has been the past two months: he allowed one run over six innings and it felt like this was an off night for him in Columbus’ 1-0 win.
“It’s hard to go out there and throw eight shutout innings every time,” Indianapolis manager Andy Barkett said. “He gave us a chance to win and we didn’t swing the bats for him.”
Brault had a 28-inning scoreless streak at Victory Field snapped in the sixth inning, when the Clippers scored a run after a walk, hit-by-pitch, walk and RBI sacrifice fly.
Columbus didn’t have a hit in the only inning in which they scored a run and Brault only allowed three hits — a double and infield single in the second inning; and a double in the fourth inning.
Three of Brault’s innings were extremely efficient, but he threw 20-plus pitches in his other three innings. He didn’t have his best slider, so made adjustments to push through the outing.
“The slider wasn’t where I wanted it to be tonight, so I kind of replaced it with my changeup,” Brault said. “I didn’t have everything working for me tonight, but I still managed to get through six.”
Brault retired the side in the first inning on eight pitches; while working around a two-out double in the fourth inning in 13 pitches; and later retiring the side in the fifth inning on 11 pitches.
But the two walks and a hit-by-pitch in the sixth inning led to a 20-pitch effort in that frame. Brault also needed 24 pitches to work around a pair of hits in the second inning, and 22 pitches to work around a one-out walk in the third inning.
So, while the pitch count rose quicker than Brault would have liked, he still pushed through to get scoreless frames.
“He found a way to get people out,” Barkett said. “He threw some really good sliders but I don’t think he had the command of it that he’s had lately.”
Brault’s earned run average dropped to 2.00, which leads the International League.
Indianapolis only managed five hits. Phil Gosselin had two hits, while Eury Perez, Christopher Bostick and Jordan Luplow each had one.
Starling Marte was used as the designated hitter in his first rehab game with Indianapolis, going 0-for-3 with a HBP, while batting second in the lineup. Marte made solid contact in his final at-bat, flying out to center field.
Casey Sadler pitched two scoreless innings in relief, walking one and striking out two. He was optioned to Double-A Altoona after the game in a move that makes room for the return of reliever Edgar Santana, who was in the Indianapolis clubhouse on Tuesday. – Brian Peloza
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ALTOONA, Pa. – The Curve desperately needed to get home from their recent road trip, where they lost seven straight games in Bowie and Erie before finally winning the last game of the trip yesterday. In front of a sold out ballpark on a gorgeous Fourth of July evening, Tanner Anderson tried to steal America’s thunder by pitching eight strong shutout innings.
Anderson seemed to do everything right tonight in Altoona. He’s been impressive for the past month, but he had a bump in the road his last start in Bowie, allowing six runs in four innings. Tonight, he went 110 pitches deep – the most I’ve ever seen a Curve pitcher throw in my three years covering the team – in his eight innings of work.
“I told the coaches that I felt good going into the eight,” Anderson said after the game. “The last few innings, I had low pitch counts. I really felt like I zoned in late in the ballgame.”
Being from Florida, Anderson said that he was used to the heat and humidity that he faced tonight. And, that was very obvious, as he used his 110 pitches to get 15 groundouts compared to only one fly out. Overall, Binghamton really didn’t threaten much tonight against him.
Since moving to a starters’ role, Anderson has greatly improved his ability to mix pitches, stay down in the zone, and throw a good sequence to keep batters off-balanced.
“It allows each of my pitches to play off of each other, and it makes each one better,” Anderson said about his mix. “My sinker was working well. The four-seam was working well. The changeup and slider worked well off of each other to keep hitters unbalanced all night.”
At the beginning of the year, he would throw his changeup “just to throw it”; however, he said that it is a pitch that he is now able to located where he wants it and keep it down in the zone.
“He continues to be down in the zone and gets the ball on the ground,” Michael Ryan said. “In Bowie, he was up in the zone. That’s the difference and key for him.”
The Curve bullpen only needed to work one inning tonight, and that inning came from a freshly reinstated Yeudy Garcia, who worked around a HBP to get his three outs and close out the shutout. Garcia will be working out of the bullpen for the immediate future, according to Larry Broadway.
Not to be outdone by the postgame fireworks, shortstop Kevin Newman provided plenty of in-game entertainment tonight, going 3-for-4 and falling a triple shy of the cycle. Newman led off the game with a double to left field. He then hit a two-run bomb in the bottom of the fourth inning, his fourth homer of the season. After a single in the sixth, Newman was left at the on-deck circle in the bottom of the eighth inning, and he did not get a chance to try for a triple in a fifth at-bat.
After a miserable May, Newman has steadily improved since early June. More precisely, Newman has gone on a 14 game on-base streak where he has gone 22-for-60 with a .956 OPS. After sitting at a low batting average of .225 and OPS of .599 on May 31st, Newman’s season total is up to .258. The improvements at the plate have been steady, and his approach has looked to improve of late.
Edwin Espinal, the recently appointed All-Star, added two singles for the Curve as the only other player with multiple hits.
*Buddy Borden was released today by the Pirates. His move was made to make room for Yeudy Garcia’s reinstatement from the disabled list. The move seemed strange, as Borden had a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings pitched. Batters were only hitting .187 against him, which was fourth best in the Eastern League.
Michael Ryan was asked tonight about the move, and he said that it simply came down to a numbers crunch. Pitchers from Indianapolis are expected to join Altoona because of a trickle down effect from the Pirates, and players are expected to be promoted from Bradenton soon, as well. Essentially, the move was made so Borden wasn’t asked to go on the disabled list as a phantom move to keep him around. The Pirates feel that other prospects had a higher priority than Borden, but they also did not want to squash his career. By releasing him now, he is free to sign with another team immediately (which the coaching staff also made some calls to help Borden) and continue pitching this season. -Sean McCool
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Bradenton won 3-1, as Mitch Keller continued to extend his outings during his comeback from a back injury. Keller threw four perfect innings last time out. This one wasn’t as good, but it was still a strong appearance. He allowed one run on four hits and a walk, while striking out five batters. Keller raised his pitch count to 72, with 45 pitches going for strikes. After Keller left, Bret Helton pitched three innings and Seth McGarry got the save in the ninth. Those two combined to retire all 12 batters they faced.
Ke’Bryan Hayes had a nice game until the very end. He picked up three hits, including a ninth inning double. According to Bradenton announcer Nate March, Hayes had an “awkward arrival” to second base and had to leave for a pinch-runner. He was able to slowly walk off on his own. We will get an update when something is available.
Will Craig had two hits, including an RBI double in the ninth inning. It was his 19th double of the season. Mitchell Tolman drove in two runs with a second inning single. Jordan George had two hits and Ty Moore picked up a single off of Zach Duke, who was there on a rehab assignment.
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West Virginia lost 9-5 on Tuesday night in Lexington. Blake Cederlind started and had his issues with control and a costly home run. In five innings, he allowed three runs on four hits and three walks, while failing to pick up a strikeout on the night. He came into the night with 46 strikeouts in 44 innings. Ronny Agustin followed him and allowed two runs in his only inning on work, despite recording all of his outs on strikeouts. Andrew Potter was out next and he sealed the win for Lexington by walking all four batters he faced, with all four eventually scoring.
On offense, Albert Baur drove in three runs with a solo homer and a two-run single. It was his fifth home run and third in four days. Adrian Valerio hit his eight double and drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. Trae Arbet added his 12th double and also drew a walk. Arden Pabst had a tough time behind the plate, mostly with Andrew Potter on the mound. Lexington runners were 5-for-5 in steals, while Lexington outfielders picked up two outfield assists.
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Morgantown won 8-5 in 12 innings on Tuesday, as catcher Yoel Gonzalez had a career-night at the plate. He came into the game with a .227 average and five hits total on the season, but Gonzalez doubled that season hit total before the night was through. He drove in four runs on three singles, a double and a triple, giving him a .357 average now. While his defense has always been solid, the Pirates pushed him through the system despite never showing progress with the bat. In a bit of irony, he was charged with three errors tonight, though I’ll note that the game play-by-play only has two errors listed and one of them ended up as an out at a different base on the same play.
Some other players had success at the plate in this game. Chris Sharpe led off and had three hits and a walk. He also picked up an outfield assist. Raul Siri had three hits and scored two runs. Jose Barraza had two hits and drew two walks.
Gift Ngoepe joined the team on Tuesday for a rehab assignment and went 0-for-3 at the plate and committed an error. He played seven innings in the field, leaving after batting in the eighth.
Eighth round draft pick Blake Weiman threw a scoreless inning and 28th round pick Matt Seelinger threw two shutout frames.
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Bristol lost 5-4 on Tuesday to drop to 3-10 on the season. Braeden Ogle started his third game of the year and he went five innings, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks. He had two strikeouts and a 6:4 GO/AO ratio. He threw 88 pitches (61 strikes), which is extremely high for a prep player in his first full season. They are usually capped at five innings and 75 pitches, but the Pirates seem to be more lenient with their pitch counts this year.
Mason Ward (34th round pick) was out next and he couldn’t get through one inning, giving up two runs on a hit and two walks before being removed with one out. Ogle pitched into the sixth inning and allowed the first two runners to reach, then both scored off of Ward. Chris MacDonald was out next and he finished the game with 3.2 shutout innings to keep Bristol in the contest.
Huascar Fuentes was the lone busy bat in the lineup, collecting three hits and driving in two runs. He hit his fifth double and also scored a run. Edison Lantigua drew three walks and scored a run. Yondry Contreras was 0-for-1 with two sacrifice bunts and a hit-by-pitch. He was moved down to the seventh spot in the order after batting lead-off to start the season.
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The GCL Pirates looked like they took the holiday off against the Blue Jays on Tuesday morning, dropping a 10-0 decision with poor pitching and no signs of fireworks from the offense. The Pirates had five hits in the game, all singles, but there were some things of note from the day.
Stephen Alemias made his return to action, playing for the first time since he injured his thumb while making a tag at second base back on May 18th. He played five innings at shortstop and went 1-for-2 at the plate. He was busy in the field, with six plays total, including a double play. Tim Williams had an update from after the game.
Calvin Mitchell went 1-for-4 and played center field. That position is significant because all the scouting reports believe he will be a corner outfielder and some even say first base, so it’s good that the Pirates believe that he can handle the position for now, even if it’s just a look at how he does in the GCL.
Pitcher Jake Webb made his pro debut, pitching an inning of relief. He was the 19th round draft pick, who passed on a scholarship to Kansas State to sign with the Pirates. Scouting reports had Webb at 86-90, touching 92 MPH before the draft. The young (turned 18 last month), 6’4″ right-hander has a projectable frame, which should help him add to those numbers in the future. He was 86-88, touching 89 MPH on this day and he allowed two hits in his scoreless inning, one of them being an infield hit to third base.
Here is video of Webb from today. We will have more about him tomorrow.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWInMEPAr-8/
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The DSL Pirates won for the second day by a 9-8 score, and again it took a late comeback for them to pick up the win. Unlike Monday’s game, they won in walk-off fashion on Tuesday.
Just like yesterday, the pitching had a tough time. Starter Osvaldo Bido gave up five runs over 3.2 innings, then he was followed by Luis Arrieta, who allowed three runs in his 3.1 innings. Each pitcher had one unearned run charged against him. Reliever Francis Del Orbe settled things down with two scoreless innings, which allowed the Pirates to make their comeback. The three pitchers combined for four walks, four hit batters and four wild pitches.
Down 8-4 at the seventh inning stretch, the Pirates scored two runs in the bottom of the inning on a walk, two singles and a sacrifice fly. In the eighth, they put two more runs on the board thanks to a throwing error with the bases loaded. In the ninth with the score tied, Kyle Simmons led off the inning with a double. He was sacrificed over to third base, then Williams Calderon won it with an RBI single.
Top prospect Jean Eusebio returned to the lineup after being hit on his shin last week. He showed no ill-effect, going 1-for-3 with two walks and two stolen bases, while playing the entire game in center field. Francisco Acuna was also hit on the shin with a pitch, but he just missed the last five innings of yesterday’s game. He went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and two runs scored. Samuel Inoa continued his insane pace, going 1-for-2 with a single, walk, sacrifice fly and he was hit by a pitch. Sherten Apostel drove in two runs, giving him 24 RBIs in 24 games.
The Pirates started the year as one of the youngest and least experienced teams in the league. Since Opening Day, then sent both Samuel Reyes and Angel Vasquez to the GCL. Reyes is 21 years old and Vasquez is 23, plus he was one of the few players on the team with three years experience, so the team is even younger now. Despite that, they have a 17-10 record. The better teams in the DSL are usually full of veterans and older players, so that is quite the record for the Pirates.
