I’m going to finish this series with the Pirates’ 2013 draft. There’s less and less mystery as drafts get older. Most of the players from this one are gone, as you’d expect. As of now, the 2013 draft has produced three regulars, a weak-hitting utility player, and possibly a major league reliever and backup catcher, which is a good return. The question, of course, is how much the Pirates will get from the two regulars they didn’t give away. Numbers are draft rounds.
1. Austin Meadows, OF: Meadows went to Tampa in a trade of some sort. After struggling for much of his time with the Pirates due to injuries and a lack of power, he’s having a monster season so far with the Rays, although he missed a little time due to injury.
1. Reese McGuire, C: The Pirates sent McGuire to Toronto as part of the Francisco Liriano salary dump. He saw a little time with the Jays last year and is currently struggling to hit in AAA. He looks like he could play a Jacob Stallings type of role.
2. Blake Taylor, LHP: Taylor went to the Mets in the trade for Ike Davis. He spent the next several years trying to stay healthy. He’s now in the Florida State League and isn’t pitching all that well.
3. JaCoby Jones, OF: The Pirates traded Jones to Detroit for Joakim Soria. He’s spent a lot of time in the majors over the last four years, but has hit very little due to contact issues.
4. Cody Dickson, LHP: Released.
5. Trae Arbet, SS: Released.
6. Adam Frazier, SS: Now the Pirates’ starting second baseman.
7. Buddy Borden, RHP: The Pirates traded Borden to Tampa Bay for Sean Rodriguez. He returned briefly after the Rays released him, but he’s out of baseball.
8. Neil Kozikowski, RHP: Released.
9. Chad Kuhl, RHP: Kuhl won a job in the Pirates’ rotation, but is out for 2019 due to Tommy John surgery.
10. Shane Carle, RHP: Carle went to Colorado for Rob Scahill. He had a solid season pitching in relief for Atlanta last year, but has been up and down between AAA and the majors this year and has struggled in the majors.
11. Erich Weiss, 3B: Recently released.
12. Beau Wallace, 3B: Released.
13. Danny Collins, 1B: Released.
14. Nick Buckner, OF: Released.
15. Max Rossiter, C: Retired after one game.
16. Billy Roth, RHP: Released.
17. Justin Topa, RHP: Released, now in AA with Milwaukee.
18. Jeff Roy, OF: Released.
19. Brett McKinney, RHP: Released.
21. Adam Landecker, 2B: Released.
22. Henry Hirsch, RHP: Released.
23. Cameron Griffin, LHP: Released.
25. Justin Maffei, OF: Released.
27. Mike Fransoso, SS: Released.
28. Jerry Mulderig, RHP: Released.
30. Will Kendall, LHP: Released.
37. Andrew Dennis, C: Released.
PLAYOFF PUSH
Altoona is in fourth place in their division, 8.5 games back with 20 games remaining in the first half.
Bradenton is in second place in their division, two games back with 19 games remaining in the first half.
Greensboro is in second place in their division, six games back with 19 games remaining in the schedule.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
Today’s Starter and Notes: The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 11-6 to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. The Pirates are sending out Steven Brault this afternoon. He has started twice this season, allowing two runs in four innings once, then six runs over 3.2 innings his last start. Since then, he has surrendered a total of four runs over nine innings in two long relief outings. The Reds will counter with right-hander Anthony DeSclafani, who has a 4.99 ERA in 48.2 innings, with 52 strikeouts and a 1.32 WHIP. He faced the Pirates back on April 7th and allowed six runs over 4.1 innings. He has allowed four earned runs in each of his last three outings, failing to go longer than four innings each time.
The minor league schedule includes Dario Agrazal going for Indianapolis for the sixth time. He has given up a total of four runs in 27.2 innings over his four best Triple-A starts. In the other game, he gave up five runs in 3.2 innings. Altoona is sending out James Marvel, who has allowed three runs over his last 12.2 innings, which was after he gave up 14 runs in ten innings during his two previous starts combined. Bradenton doesn’t have a starter listed, but it could be the return of Oddy Nunez, who has been out with a back injury. This was originally the spot of Domingo Robles, but he has been promoted to Altoona. Greensboro has off today.
The full 2019 Pirates Prospects Prospect Guide is now available, up to date as of April 3rd, with every player in the minor league system (NOTE: There have been just three players released and two added since then, so the book is still 99% up to date). Includes full reports on the top 50 prospects, reports on over 150 other players, as well as looks back at the recent drafts and international signing classes. Subscribers get 20% off the purchase of a book.
MLB: Pittsburgh (26-27) @ Reds (26-29) 12:35 PM
Probable starter: Steven Brault (7.11 ERA, 21:16 SO/BB, 25.1 IP)
AAA: Indianapolis (28-20) vs Charlotte (28-21) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Dario Agrazal (2.59 ERA, 27:5 SO/BB, 31.1 IP)
AA: Altoona (23-27) @ Trenton (30-19) 7:00 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: James Marvel (3.81 ERA, 44:14 SO/BB, 59.0 IP)
High-A: Bradenton (29-21) vs Lakeland (21-29) 6:30 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: TBD
Low-A: Greensboro (34-17) vs Lakewood (17-34) 7:00 PM 5/30 (season preview)
Probable starter: Steven Jennings (6.11 ERA, 45:17 SO/BB, 45.2 IP)
HIGHLIGHTS
From Indianapolis, the three seventh inning home runs on Monday night, starting with Jung Ho Kang and Pablo Reyes in the same tweet.
Same pitch, similar landing spot. #RollTribe pic.twitter.com/miMrpHCEfE
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) May 27, 2019
JB Shuck is the bottom video (couldn’t link it without the Reyes one showing up again)
Aw Shuck(s).#RollTribe pic.twitter.com/wDL5tabOlW
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) May 27, 2019
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
5/28: Mitch Keller optioned to Indianapolis.
5/28: Alfredo Reyes promoted to Indianapolis. Domingo Robles promoted to Altoona.
5/27: Pirates acquire Yefry Ramirez from Baltimore Orioles for cash or PTBNL.
5/27: Pirates recall Mitch Keller. Montana DuRapau optioned to Indianapolis.
5/27: Cam Vieaux promoted to Indianapolis. Steven Baron activated from injured list.
5/27: Ryan Valdes and Austin Coley promoted to Altoona.
5/27: Alex McRae added to 40-man roster and recalled. Doydas Neverauskas optioned to Indianapolis.
5/27: Pirates recall Richard Rodriguez to serve as 26th man for doubleheader.
5/26: Francisco Cervelli placed on 7-day injured list. Jake Elmore designated for assignment. Jacob Stallings and Jose Osuna added to Pirates.
5/25: Pirates add Rookie Davis and Dovydas Neverauskas. Chris Stratton placed on injured list. Michael Feliz optioned to Indianapolis. Lonnie Chisenhall moved to 60-day IL.
5/25: Pedro Vasquez promoted to Indianapolis. Ryan Peurifoy added to Altoona roster.
5/25: Ike Schlabach placed on injured list.
5/22: Ji-Hwan Bae removed from restricted list. Raul Siri assigned to Extended Spring Training.
5/21: Steven Baron placed on injured list. Richard Rodriguez added to Indianapolis roster.
5/21: Austin Coley added to Bradenton roster. Luis Nova assigned to Extended Spring Training
5/20: Nicholas Economos promoted to Bradenton.
5/18: Justin Harrer added to Greensboro roster. Jonah Davis assigned to Extended Spring Training
THIS DATE IN PIRATES HISTORY
Two former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, plus two trades of note and one interesting signing that we will look into. The former players born on this date are third baseman Charlie Hayes (1996) and 1929 third baseman Jim Stroner. If you know Pirates history, you’ll know that Stroner didn’t have much of a chance to play third base, as one of the team’s all-time greats was in the middle of his career. That would be Pie Traynor. If you know the minor league system now, you’ll know Charlie Hayes is the father of Ke’Bryan Hayes, who does not have anyone nearly as good as Pie Traynor blocking him at third base.
The Pirates traded infielder Billy Almon to the New York Mets on this date in 1987 for minor league outfielder Scott Little and shortstop Al Pedrique. It looked like a good trade for the Pirates, as Pedrique hit .301 as a rookie, but by the end of the next season he was hitting under .200 and got released.
On this date in 1931, the Pirates traded catcher Rollie Hemsley to the Cubs for catcher Earl Grace and cash. Grace became a solid starter for the Pirates, even though he was acquired to be a backup at the time. They regretted giving up Hemsley though, as he went on to make five All-Star teams and catch over 1,400 games in the big leagues.
On this date in 1925, the Pirates signed veteran first baseman Stuffy McInnis. He was being used as a bench player early in his time with the Pirates, but then put on one of the best hitting shows in team history. From July 29th until the end of the season, McInnis hit .468 and helped the Pirates to their third World Series appearance. He hit .286 in the series and the Pirates ended up winning their second title in seven games over the Washington Senators.
