In yesterday’s Morning Report, we took a look at the batting leaders in numerous categories around the farm system. Today we switch it up to look at the pitchers. I split the ERA and WHIP categories up between starters and relievers, limiting the relievers to a maximum of one spot start and they need at least 1/3 of an inning pitched per team game to qualify.
Indianapolis
Innings Pitched: Tyler Eppler, 30.2
ERA: Nick Kingham, 1.59
Strikeouts: Eppler, 29
WHIP: Kingham, 0.97
ERA (Relievers): Johnny Hellweg, 0.00
WHIP (Relievers): Hellweg, 0.92
Saves: Hellweg, 5
Altoona
Innings Pitched: Brandon Waddell, 39.2
ERA: Dario Agrazal, 1.26
Strikeouts: JT Brubaker, 35
WHIP: Agrazal, 0.81
ERA (Relievers): Tate Scioneaux, 2.31
WHIP (Relievers): Scioneaux, 0.86
Saves: Geoff Hartlieb, 3
Bradenton
Innings Pitched: Eduardo Vera, 44.0
ERA: Vera, 2.45
Strikeouts: Cam Vieaux, 30
WHIP: Vera, 0.89
ERA (Relievers): Scooter Hightower, 0.77
WHIP (Relievers): Matt Eckelman, 0.83
Saves: Eckelman, 4
West Virginia
Innings Pitched: Travis MacGregor, 27.1
ERA: Evan Piechota, 1.04
Strikeouts: MacGregor, 42
WHIP: Piechota, 0.85
ERA (Relievers): Blake Weiman, 1.89
WHIP (Relievers): Adam Oller, 0.91
Saves: Weiman, Matt Seelinger and Jacob Taylor, 2
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
Today’s Starter and Notes: The Pittsburgh Pirates won 10-6 on Tuesday night over the Chicago White Sox. The Pirates will send Trevor Williams to the mound for his eighth start today. He allowed three runs on four hits and one walk in 5.2 innings against the Washington Nationals in his last start. The White Sox will counter with right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez, who has a 2.43 ERA in 37 innings over six starts, with 25 strikeouts and a 1.22 WHIP. He allowed four runs on six hits and two walks in 6.2 innings in his last start. Lopez has just four strikeouts in his last 18 innings pitched.
The minor league schedule includes top prospect Mitch Keller, who went seven innings with two runs allowed in his last start. Keller has a .192 BAA and a 1.15 WHIP. Indianapolis starter Alex McRae gets a road start today. This season he has a 1.69 home ERA and a 10.95 ERA on the road. Bradenton starter James Marvel allowed one run over seven innings in his last start. Hunter Stratton gets his second start for West Virginia. He allowed two runs over four innings in his first start, while striking out seven batters. Bradenton, Louisville and Altoona all have morning start times today.
MLB: Pittsburgh (20-16) @ White Sox (9-24) 2:10 PM
Probable starter: Trevor Williams (2.63 ERA, 26:18 SO/BB, 41.0 IP)
AAA: Indianapolis (15-14) @ Louisville (10-18) 11:00 AM (season preview)
Probable starter: Alex McRae (5.72 ERA, 23:13 SO/BB, 28.1 IP)
AA: Altoona (16-13) vs Bowie (14-16) 10:30 AM (season preview)
Probable starter: Mitch Keller (2.73 ERA, 29:14 SO/BB, 29.2 IP)
High-A: Bradenton (19-13) @ Dunedin (11-20) 11:00 AM (season preview)
Probable starter: James Marvel (3.63 ERA, 27:11 SO/BB, 34.2 IP)
Low-A: West Virginia (17-13) @ Hagerstown (10-21) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Hunter Stratton (9.39 ERA, 12:6 SO/BB, 7.2 IP)
HIGHLIGHTS
From Altoona on Monday, highlights from Joe Musgrove’s rehab outing, as well as some of his thoughts after the game. Hat tip to Alex Cawley for posting the video.
.@Pirates pitcher Joe Musgrove (@ItsbuccnJoe59) threw 34 pitches, 28 went for strikes, over 4 innings and then threw 25-30 more pitches in his bullpen session during his rehab start with @AltoonaCurve. pic.twitter.com/o2FGsZPhpP
— Alex Cawley (@Cawley_TV) May 8, 2018
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
5/8: Pirates recall Jose Osuna
5/7: Nick Kingham optioned to Indianapolis
5/7: Sam Street released
5/7: Wyatt Mathisen promoted to Indianapolis. Logan Ratledge assigned to Altoona.
5/5: Braeden Ogle placed on West Virginia disabled list. Gavin Wallace activated from DL.
5/4: Pedro Vasquez promoted to Altoona. Sean Keselica assigned to Morgantown.
5/1: Joe Musgrove assigned to Bradenton on rehab.
4/29: Pirates recall Nick Kingham. Enny Romero placed on disabled list.
4/29: Brett McKinney added to Indianapolis roster.
THIS DATE IN PIRATES HISTORY
Three former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, and a game from 1937 that seemed like the Pirates were playing the Pirates. Players born on this date include 1952 first baseman Tony Bartirome, who was signed the previous year by Pie Traynor. His playing career wasn’t that memorable, but older fans might recognize the name because he was the trainer for the Pirates for 19 seasons, include two World Series (1971 and 1979) seasons. So you could say that Traynor signed the trainer.
Also born on this date, Culley Rickard, who played for the Pirates from 1941-42 and then again in 1947. In between, he served three years in the military during WWII. He had his arm broken by a line drive during the 1942 season, with the incident happening when he was throwing batting practice.
Finally, catcher Dan Sullivan, who caught one game on Opening Day of the 1886 season when the Pirates (then called Alleghenys) played their only Opening Day doubleheader. He went 0-for-4 with two errors and it ended up being the last game of his five-year career.
On this date in 1937, the Pirates faced a Braves team that used six players that had either already played for the Pirates, or would later in their career. The team was also managed by Bill McKechnie, who played for and managed the Pirates. The Braves (who were also called the Bees back then) used former/future Pirates Deb Garms, Vince DiMaggio, Al Lopez, Elbie Fletcher, Tommy Thevenow and Guy Bush in the game. Pittsburgh won and moved to 11-3 on the season. You can view the boxscore here.
