Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Report – June 22nd

Apr 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Major League baseballs sit on the field before the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to our weekly trip around the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor league system. This is where we give you a look at how each Pirates’ affiliate did during the previous week along with division standings, updates about players who stood out during the previous week, a look at the injury report, and give you a peek at the week ahead.

We will start our weekly recap with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.

Next: The Indians Struggle

Feb 21, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Alen Hanson (63) poses for a photo at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Triple-A Indianapolis Indians

The Indianapolis Indians went 1-4 over the last week. This included a one and one split with the Durham Bulls. They also had one game rained out. After that series, they suffered a three-game sweep in Charlotte to the Knights.

International League West Division standings:

Indianapolis Indians – 42-28

Columbus Clippers – 39-32

Louisville Bats – 34-36

Toledo Mud Hens – 31-40

Players that stood out:

OF Willy Garcia was promoted to AAA Indianapolis from AA Altoona on Monday the 15th. In his first game as an Indian, he failed to get a hit and saw his hitting streak come to an end at 19 games. He had managed to pick up a hit in the past three games he had played in. He is currently batting .214 in Triple-A since being called up.

RHP Angel Sanchez was also called up to AAA Indianapolis from AA Altoona. In his first start for the Indians, Angel had a no decision as he went five innings and allowed four runs, including three home runs, two walks, and three strikeouts.

OF Jaff Decker collected two RBIs, five hits, three stolen bases, and one home run and scored two runs. He is now batting .305 on the season.

C Elias Diaz went three for twelve with a walk, four hits, and scored three times while raised his average to .284.

RHP Adrian Sampson continues to lead the team with 72 strikeouts. He suffered a loss this week after giving up just one run in seven innings but remains tied for the team lead with six wins.

RHP Blake Wood still leads the team with 18 saves. He only saw action in one game this past week, giving up two runs while striking out two.

RHP Radhames Liz picked up a loss after giving up a run in the twelfth inning of Saturday’s game. He walked three and struck out three in his two appearances during the past week.

RHP Wilfredo Boscan did not get a start this past week.

OF Gorkys Hernandez  saw his average climb slightly to .280 while collecting five hits, two RBIs, one home run, and four walks.

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INF Steve Lombardozzi saw his batting average drop a bit to .303. He collected only two hits in fifteen at-bats. He also had a walk.

INF Brent Morel hit his fifth home run of the season and is now batting .237.

INF Pedro Florimon went two for 14 with two RBIs and a stolen base. He is now batting .235.

C Tony Sanchez  struck out four times and saw his average slip to .209. He also saw his walk streak come to an end after eight straight games.

OF Keon Broxton kept his average at .186.

RHP Casey Sadler started two games and suffered a loss in each. He gave up a combined 17 hits and seven walks while striking out five.

LHP Clayton Richard didn’t see any action this week.

RHP Chris Volstad had a no decision Tuesday after going seven innings and striking out seven.

RHP John Holdzkom saw action in two games for a total of two innings, allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out three and picked up a win on Tuesday.

1B John Bowker is now batting .244 after collecting four hits last week.

Injury Report:

INF Alen Hanson was added to the disabled list with a fractured left pinky.

P Brad Lincoln and C Wilkin Castillo both remain on the disabled list.

A look at next week:

The Indians head to Gwinnett for a four -ame series against the Braves who enter the series with a 33-35 record. Then the Indians head home for a three-game weekend series with the Syracuse Chiefs of the North Division. The Chiefs currently have a record of  24-47.

Next, we step down to Double-A Altoona.

Next: Watch Out For the Curve

Sep 17, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates minor league outfielder Josh Bell (35) of the Altoona Curve in attendance as he was named the Pirates Minor Player of the Year before the Pirates host the Boston Red Sox at PNC Park. The Pirates won 9-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Double-A Altoona Curve

The Altoona Curve went 3-3 over the last week. The Curve took one of three from the RubberDucks in Akron. Then they headed home where they have taken two of three from the Harrisburg Senators.

Eastern League West Division standings:

Altoona Curve – 40-27

Bowie Baysox – 38-30

Richmond Flying Squirrels – 37-30

Akron RubberDucks – 35-34

Harrisburg Senators – 29-39

Erie SeaWolves – 26-42

Players that stood out:

OF Mel Rojas Jr was demoted to AA Altoona from AAA Indianapolis on Monday the 15th. Mel is hitting .348 with the Curve. He has collected eight hits, including a home run and four RBIs, walked four times, and stole two bases.

1B Josh Bell saw his average climb slightly over the past week to .323 while collecting eight hits, four walks, and two RBIs. Josh now has a seven-game hitting streak.

2B Max Moroff raised his average to .323. He collected 11 hits, two RBIs, two walks, and a stolen base. He now has a 12-game hitting streak.

OF Stetson Allie had just three hits, including a home run and three RBIs and saw his average drop slightly to .218. He also struck out five times.

C Jacob Stallings went three for 11 this week. He collected five RBIs and is now batting .300.

INF Adam Frazier managed three hits, one RBI, and one walk. He is now hitting .344.

INF Gift Ngoepe had four hits and two walks and is now batting .261.

INF Jose Osuna had four hits, one RBI, and one walk. He is batting .324.

RHP Jason Creasy picked up his team-leading eighth win.

RHP Chad Kuhl picked up his fifth win. He leads the team with 53 Ks.

RHP John Kuchno picked up a two-inning save in Thursday’s win while striking out two.

Injury report:

RHP Tyler Glasnow had a rehab assignment with the West Virginia Black Bears on Friday. He suffered the loss after just one and a third innings. He struck out two, walked one, hit a batter, and gave up two runs.

A look at next week:

The Curve are finishing up their series with the Harrisburg Senators by playing a double-header on Monday. They then remain home for a four-game series with the Erie SeaWolves.a Finally, they hit the road for a Saturday-to-Monday series in Harrisburg with the Senators.

We now heat up as we head south for a look at the Advanced A Bradenton Marauders.

Next: Fly South to Bradenton

Mar 12, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; The field is made ready for play before a spring training baseball game at McKechnie Field. The Boston Red Sox beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Advanced A Bradenton Marauders

The Bradenton Marauders went 1-3 at home against the Tampa Yankees before taking a few days off for the All-Star Break.

Florida State League South Division standings:

Charlotte Stone Crabs – 44-23

Fort Myers Miracle – 35-32

St. Lucie Mets – 34-33

Jupiter Hammerheads – 33-34

Palm Beach Cardinals – 32-35

Bradenton Marauders – 30-37

Players that stood out:

OF Harold Ramirez leads the way for the Marauders with a .395 average. He collected seven hits and scored three times.

OF Austin Meadows did not play.

INF Jacoby Jones had three hits, including a home run and three RBIs, and is now batting .259.

C Reese McGuire had four hits and raised his average to .249.

LHP Cody Dickson leads the team with five wins.

RHP Frank Duncan  leads the team with 51 strikeouts.

RHP Brett McKinney suffered a loss but still leads the team with nine saves.

All-Star News:

The Florida State League All-Star Game was played on June 20th in Port St. Lucie. JaCoby Jones had a triple and two RBIs. Reese McGuire had a single and an RBI.

A look at next week:

The Marauders return from the Florida State League All-Star Break with a trip to Charlotte to play three games with the first place Stone Crabs. Then, they head to St. Lucie to play a two-game series with the Mets. After that, they will return home to play a four-game series with the Brevard County Manatees from the Florida State League North Division. The Manatees currently sit at 29-37.

We dig deep and head for the hills as we take a look at the Class-A West Virginia Power.

Next: Feel the Power

Cooper, the proud mascot of the West Virginia Black Bears

Short Season A West Virginia Black Bears

The West Virginia Black Bears started their inaugural season off Friday night with a 15-7 loss to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The second game of the season on Saturday night was a washout. They made it up with a double-header on Sunday. When playing a double-header in the minor leagues, typically each game is only seven innings long. In the first game, the Black Bears came from behind to win 5-4 in the bottom of the 7th inning. In the second game, the Black Bears won 3-2.

New York-Penn League Pinckney:

Auburn Doubledays – 3-0

Williamsport Crosscutters – 3-0

West Virginia Black Bears – 2-1

Mahoning Valley Scrappers – 1-2

Batavia Muckdogs – 0-3

State College Spikes – 0-3

A Look At Next Week:

The Black Bears head to Williamsport for three games with the Crosscutters. Then, they continue the season’s first road trip with three games at the Auburn Doubledays. Finally, they return home to begin a three-game series with the Hudson Valley Renegades.

Rookie Ball is next with the Bristol Pirates!

Next: Last Stop, Rookie Ball

Feb 13, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; A freshly painted logo adorns at wall at Pirate City before the Pittsburgh Pirates first spring training workout. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie Bristol Pirates

The Bristol Pirates are slated to begin the season on June 23rd. Keep an eye here next week for results from the first week of play.

Appalachian League West:

Bristol Pirates – 0-0

Elizabethton Twins – 0-0

Greeneville Astros – 0-0

Johnson City Cardinals – 0-0

Kingsport Mets – 0-0

A Look at Next Week:

The Bristol Pirates will begin the season on June 23rd with two games at home against the Greeneville Astros. Then, they go to Greeneville for one game with the Astros. Finally, they return home to play a three-game series with the Princeton Rays.

This has been the Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Report for June 22nd. Make sure to check back next Monday for our weekly Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Report!

Next: Pirates/National Series Takeaways