Prospect Highlights: Lambo, Glasnow, and Johnson

The Pirates are 25 games over .500 in August so there is plenty of news coming out of Pittsbugh, but it was a very busy day for the farm system.  Here is a quick rundown of the highlights.

Andrew Lambo Keeps Raking:

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3-for-4, 2 2B, BB, 2 RBI

The #FreeLambo campaign is still in full swing as Andrew Lambo continues to mash down in the minors. In his has 3 games Lambo is 6-for-16 with 2 doubles, 3 homers, and 6 RBIs. A right field by committee has still been largely ineffective for the Pittsburgh prompting reporters, bloggers, and fans alike to join in the cry for Andrew Lambo. For the 2013 season, at two different levels of in the minors, Lambo has a triple slash of  .287/.348/.588 in 422 at bats. He accompanies those great numbers with a minor league leading 31 home runs and 94 RBIs. I originally wrote about the Great Lambino on July 3^rd, since then he’s been able to convert almost everyone into a believer. If I had to guess, I think we see Lambo for the first time in Pittsburgh against Arizona after the road trip.

Tyler Glasnow Sets Strikeout Record:

5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 12 K, 1 HR

Tyler Glasnow set the West Virginia Power strikeout record last night with a 12 K outing.  The 12 punch outs match a career high but he also lost for the first time since the beginning of June. Glasnow has already passed former leaders Will Inman and Justin Wilson and is hot on the trail of McPherson’s 142 mark. With several starts remaining Glasnow has a chance to pass Tom Gorzelanny’s 167 set in 2004. At just 19-years-old Glasnow has easily been the breakout prospect of the year for the Pirates. Once the system graduates Taillon expect Glasnow to be the premier pitcher in the system. And yes that includes Heredia.

Kris Johnson Continues Excellence:

February 17, 2013; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Kris Johnson (71) poses for photo day at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

8.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HR

With top pitching prospects like Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Luis Heredia, Tyler Glasnow, and Nick Kingham it might be easy for other pitchers to get lost in the shuffle. Maybe that’s why Kris Johnson’s dominance has gone largely unnoticed. The 28-year-old lefty has been outstanding for the Indians all year and things didn’t change last night. Johnson was finally able to beat the Louisville Bats after Indianapolis had dropped 4 straight against them. Johnson held the Bats to 1 run on 8 hits and struck out 6 in the process.

At 28, Kris Johnson probably isn’t a considered a prospect anymore but that doesn’t mean he cant help the Pirates in the near future. Johnson has posted a 2.23 ERA with 90 Ks, and a 1.12 WHIP in 129.1 IP. His fantastic pitching has earned him a 10-4 record. Johnson has arguably been the best pitcher in all of the International League and that includes Brandon Cumpton who’s been great for the Pirates in short stints. I could easily see Johnson being a September call-up and help the Pirates in relief in the near future.