Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Report – August 17th

West Virginia Black Bears Bullpen PHOTO CREDIT: Justin Frazee, Rumbunter

Welcome to our weekly trip around the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor league system. This is where we give you a look at how each Pirates’ minor league 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: Indianapolis Indians

Feb 21, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates infielder

(63) poses for a photo at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Triple-A Indianapolis Indians

The Indianapolis Indians went 5-2 over the last week. The Indians took two of three from the Toledo Mud Hens. Then the Indians took three of four from the Durham Bulls.

International League West Division standings:

Indianapolis Indians – 73-50

Columbus Clippers – 68-54

Louisville Bats – 59-64

Toledo Mud Hens – 50-71

Players on the move:

3B Josh Harrison was sent to the Indianapolis Indians on a rehab assignment on 8-11-2015. Harrison has seen action in three games and has picked up one hit and one strikeout.

SS Jordy Mercer was sent to the Indianapolis Indians on a rehab assignment on 8-11-2015. Mercer has seen action in three games, collecting three hits and three strikeouts.

Players that stood out:

RHP Vance Worley made his first start on Saturday the 15th. Worley picked up the win while going five innings and allowing two earned runs on three hits, one walk and two strikeouts.

OF Jaff Decker saw action in three games. He picked up two hits, four walks, two stolen bases and struck out twice.

INF Josh Bell is batting .269 since his call up. He had seven hits, five RBIs and one walk.

RHP Tyler Glasnow had another no decision and is still trying to get his first win at AAA. He went six innings and allowed one earned run on four hits, three walks and five strikeouts.

INF Dan Gamache is batting .268 since his call up. He had one hit, one RBI, one walk, and one strikeout.

OF Gorkys Hernandez is now batting .271. He had three hits, two RBIs, a stolen base and three strikeouts.

INF Steve Lombardozzi is now batting .286. He had two hits and one walk.

OF Willy Garcia is currently batting .265. He had eight hits, including two home runs, six RBIs and struck out six times.

RHP Wilfredo Boscan picked up his ninth win while allowing just five hits, two walks and five strikeouts.

INF Alen Hanson is now batting .274. He had four hits, two walks, four strikeouts, and a stolen base.

RHP Chris Volstad remains tied for the team lead with nine wins. He had a no decision while going 6.1 innings, allowing four earned run on seven hits, one walk, and two strikeouts.

C Elias Diaz saw action in four games. He collected one hit, one walk and three strikeouts. He is now batting .264.

RHP Blake Wood leads the team with twenty-six saves.

RHP Radhames Liz picked up a loss. He went just three innings, allowed three earned runs on five hits, four walks and two strikeouts.

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C Tony Sanchez  had four hits, one RBI, one strikeout and one walk. His average is now .234 for the season.

OF Keon Broxton had four hits, three RBIs, five walks and seven strikeouts. His average is now .254.

1B John Bowker is now batting .232 after collecting four hits, two RBIs and two strikeouts.

P Brad Lincoln now has six wins on the season.  He picked up the win on Friday while going five innings and allowing just three hits, one walk and struck out four.

Injury Report:

RHP Angel Sanchez was placed on the disabled list retroactive to 8-11-2015.

INF Kelson Brown remained on the disabled list with a sprained right ankle.

INF Gift Ngoepe remains on the disabled list with a left oblique strain.

RHP Casey Sadler remains on the disabled list with a forearm strain.

RHP John Holdzkom remains on the disabled list.

A look at next week:

The Indians will host the Norfolk Tides for two games Monday and Tuesday. Then, they will get the day off on Wednesday. On Thursday, they will begin a four game series in Charlotte with the Knights.

Next, we step down to Double-A Altoona.

Next: Watch Out For the Curve

Apr 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates baseball equipment sits in the dugout cubicle before the game against the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Double-A Altoona Curve

The Altoona Curve went 3-3 over the last week. The Curve took just one of three from the Binghamton Mets. Then the Curve headed to Richmond and took two of three from the Flying Squirrels.

Eastern League West Division standings:

Bowie Baysox – 69-51

Akron RubberDucks – 65-56

Altoona Curve – 64-57

Richmond Flying Squirrels – 60-60

Harrisburg Senators – 57-64

Erie SeaWolves – 48-71

Players on the move:

OF Andy Vasquez was sent to the Altoona Curve from the Indianapolis Indians on 8-13-2015.

Players that stood out:

LHP Steven Brault sits at six wins still. He had a no decision this week. He went seven innings, allowing one earned run on three hits, two walks and five strike outs.

INF Adam Frazier had three hits, one RBI, two walks and two stolen bases. He saw his average drop to .326.

OF Mel Rojas Jr is hitting .251. He collected six hits, one stolen base, four walks and struck out five times this week.

2B Max Moroff saw his average drop to .300. He collected five hits, including a home run, three RBIs, three walks and five strikeouts.

OF Stetson Allie had one hit, one RBI, one walk and eight strikeouts and saw his average drop slightly to .198.

INF Jose Osuna had five hits, including a home run, five RBIs, two walks and three strikeouts. He is now hitting  .296.

RHP Jason Creasy picked up a loss and a win this week. He is tied for the team lead with nine wins. In the loss, he went four innings, allowing six earned runs on seven hits, three walks and one strikeout. In the win, he went seven innings and allowed two earned runs on five hits and two strikeouts.

RHP Chad Kuhl is tied for the team lead in wins after picking up his ninth win this week. He went five innings and allowed one earned run on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts.

LHP Zack Dodson picked up his sixth win this week. He went 5.2 innings and allowed just one earned run on four hits, four walks and six strikeouts.

A look at next week:

The Curve will enjoy the day off on Monday. The Curve return home for a three game series with the Portland Sea Dogs. Then they will head to Richmond for a three game weekend series with the Flying Squirrels. Then they will head to Bowie for a three game series with the Baysox.

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 3-4 over the past week. The Marauders took two of three from the Hammerheads while in Jupiter. Then they returned home and dropped two of three to the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Then, on Sunday, the Marauders dropped the first game of the series with the St Lucie Mets.

As the Marauders begin the second half of the season, the standings are reset. The Charlotte Stone Crabs were the first half division winner. The second half division winner will face the Stone Crabs in the playoffs. If the Stone Crabs win the second half, then the team with the second best overall record will advance to face the Stone Crabs. More information on the playoff procedures can be found here. We will provide you the second half standings along with the overall standings in parenthesis.

Florida State League South Division Standings:

Palm Beach Cardinals – 33-16(65-54)

Bradenton Marauders – 30-19 (62-57)

Fort Myers Miracle – 28-23 (66-55)

St. Lucie Mets – 25-24 (60-59)

Jupiter Hammerheads – 22-29(57-64)

Charlotte Stone Crabs – 18-29(63-54)

Players that stood out:

OF Harold Ramirez  had seven hits, two RBIs, three walks, two stolen bases, six strikeouts and kept his average at .358.

OF Austin Meadows is now batting .303 after collecting five hits, three RBIs, one stolen base and five strikeouts.

C Reese McGuire had two hits, one walk and two strikeouts. His average is now .258.

LHP Cody Dickson continues to the team with ten wins.

RHP Frank Duncan  leads the team with ninty-four strikeouts.

RHP Brett McKinney and RHP Montana DuRapau are tied for the team lead with nine saves.

A look at next week: The Marauders will continue the series at home with the St Lucie Mets. Then they will head to St Lucie for two games with the Mets. The Marauders will return home for a three game series with the Fort Myers Miracle. On Sunday, they will head to Palm Beach for a three game series with the Cardinals.

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

Next: Feel the Power

Oct 15, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; The lights are out during a power outage during game three of the American League Championship Series baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Class-A West Virginia Power

The West Virginia Power went 5-1 over the last week. The Power swept the three game series with the Delmarva Shorebirds.. They wrapped up the week with a trip to Hickory where the Power took two of three from the Crawdads.

As they begin the second half of the season, the standings are reset. The Hickory Crawdads were the first half division winner. The second half division winner will face the Crawdads in the playoffs. If the Crawdads win the second half, then the team with the second best overall record will advance to face the Crawdads. More information on the playoff procedures can be found here. We will provide you the second half standings along with the overall standings in parenthesis.

South Atlantic League North Division Standings: 

West Virginia Power – 34-15 (71-47)

Lakewood BlueClaws – 28-21 (61-56)

Hickory Crawdads – 27-22 (71-46)

Hagerstown Suns – 25-24 (60-57)

Kannapolis Intimidators – 23-26 (58-60)

Delmarva Shorebirds – 24-25 (57-60)

Greensboro Grasshoppers – 14-35 (43-75)

Players that stood out:

SS Kevin Newman is batting .222 since being called up. He had six hits, two RBIs, one walk and two strikeouts.

OF Michael Suchy saw his average climb to .296 while collecting eleven hits, including two home runs, nine RBIs, two walks and three strikeouts.

INF Jerrick Suiter had his average drop to .301 while collecting five hits, one RBI, two walks, one stolen base and three strikeouts.

OF Elvis Escobar saw his average rise to .295. He had eight hits, two RBIs, one walk, two stolen bases and six strikeouts.

SS Cole Tucker has not played since July 28th and is on the disabled list.

INF Chase Simpson is now batting .253. He had one hit, one RBI, two walks, one stolen base and four strikeouts.

INF Jordan Luplow saw his average rise to .267 after collecting eight hits, including two home runs, seven RBIs, three walks, four strikeouts and two stolen bases.

RHP Austin Coley leads the team with thirteen wins and ninety-five strikeouts.

RHP Yeudy Garcia now has twelve wins and ninety strikeouts.

LHP Stephen Tarpley has ten wins and eighty-seven strikeouts.

RHP Nick Neumann leads the team with fourteen saves on the season.

A look at next week:

The Power return will remain on the road with a visit to Lexington to take on the Legends in a three game series. The Power get to enjoy the day off on Thursday. Then they will return home to host a four game series with the Lakewood BlueClaws.

Next, we look at the newest member of the farm system with the Short-Season A West Virginia Black Bears.

Next: West Virginia Black Bears

Cooper, the proud mascot of the West Virginia Black Bears PHOTO CREDIT: Justin Frazee, Rumbunter

Short-Season A West Virginia Black Bears

The West Virginia Black Bears finished the week by going 2-5.  The Black Bears were swept in Williamsport by the CrossCutters. Then they hosted the Aberdeen IronBirds for three games and dropped two of three. The Black Bears wrapped up the week with a two game series split in State College with the Spikes.

For more on the Black Bears, You can find our series recaps for the series with the Williamsport Crosscutters, for the series with the Aberdeen IronBirds and for the series with the State College Spikes.

New York-Penn League Pinckney Division:

Williamsport Crosscutters – 35-21

State College Spikes – 30-25

West Virginia Black Bears – 27-29

Auburn Doubledays – 26-28

Mahoning Valley Scrappers – 25-29

Batavia Muckdogs – 23-32

All-Star Update:

In case you missed it, Logan Hill, Ty Moore, Daniel Arribas and Dario Agrazal were named to the New York-Penn League South All Star Team. For more information, check out our post.

Players on the move:

LHP Hector Garcia was placed on the Disabled List on Thursday August 13th, 2015. It was reported by @piratesprospects that he had Tommy John surgery.

Players that stood out:

OF Logan Hill is currently hitting .326 with an OPS of .936. He had three hits, one RBI, one walk, one stolen base and two strikeouts.

OF Ty Moore is currently hitting .282 with an OPS of .726. He had one hit, three walks and two strikeouts.

C Daniel Arribas is currently hitting .262 with an OPS of .642. He had six hits, two RBIs, one stolen base and five strikeouts.

1B Albert Baur is currently hitting .281. He had six hits, one RBI, three strikeouts and a walk.

3B Kevin Kramer is currently hitting .265. He had six hits, two RBIs, three walks, five stolen bases and four strikeouts.

2B Mitchell Tolman is currently hitting .285. He had five hits, three walks, three strikeouts and one stolen base.

RHP Dario Agrazal leads the team with five wins and has thrown fifty-nine innings.

RHP JT Brubaker still has four wins. He had a loss and a no decision this week.

LHP Cesilio Pimentel leads the team with forty-one strikeouts and four saves.

LHP Andy Otamendi, RHP Julio Eusebio, LHP Sean Keselica each have three saves.

RHP Nick Hibbing leads the team with a 1.48 ERA.(minimum 10 innings pitched) He has thrown 30.1 innings.

LHP Brandon Waddell, the Pirates fifth round draft pick in 2015, has made two starts and has gone a total of seven innings, allowing four hits, one earned run, one walk and seven strikeouts.

A Look At Next Week:

The Black Bears will get off days on Monday and Tuesday while several players will head to Aberdeen for the All-Star Game. The team will return to action on Wednesday as they host the Auburn DoubleDays on Wednesday and Thursday. Then the Black Bears will head to Mahoning Valley for a three game series with the Scrappers.

Rookie Ball is next with the Bristol Pirates!

Next: Last Stop, Rookie Ball