Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Report – August 24th

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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

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 3-3 over the last week. The Indians dropped the two games with the Norfolk Tides. Then the Indians headed to Charlotte and were rained out on Thursday. They opened the series by splitting the doubleheader on Friday. The Indians then won on Saturday and Sunday.

International League West Division standings:

Indianapolis Indians – 76-53

Columbus Clippers – 72-57

Louisville Bats – 60-69

Toledo Mud Hens – 53-76

Players on the move:

3B Josh Harrison completed his rehab assignment and rejoined the Pirates on 8-21-15. We took a look at this here.

SS Jordy Mercer completed his rehab assignment and rejoined the Pirates on 8-23-15.

Players that stood out:

OF Travis Snider was signed by the Pirates to a minor league contract. He has seen action in three games since signing. He has six hits, including a home run, three RBIs, one walk and one strikeout.

RHP Vance Worley made his second start on Friday the 21st. Worley picked up the win while going seven innings and allowing just three hits, one walk and nine strikeouts.

RHP Chris Volstad leads the team with ten wins. He had two starts in the past week. The first was a loss. He went five innings, allowed four earned runs on nine hits, four walks and two strikeouts. The second start was a win. He went five innings, allowed two earned runs on six hits and four strikeouts.

RHP Tyler Glasnow picked up his first win at AAA. He went 6.1 innings and allowed just four hits, two walks and nine strikeouts.

INF Josh Bell is batting .329 since his call up. He had six hits, including a home run, four RBIs, one walk, three strikeouts and one stolen base.

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

INF Dan Gamache is batting .293 since his call up. He had six hits, three RBIs and four strikeouts.

OF Gorkys Hernandez is still batting .271. He had two hits, one RBI and one strikeout.

INF Steve Lombardozzi is now batting .288. He had two hits, one walk and three strikeouts.

OF Willy Garcia is currently batting .271. He had six hits, including a home run, two RBIs, one walk and struck out four times.

RHP Wilfredo Boscan had a no decision this week. He went 6.2 innings and allowed two earned runs on five hits and five strikeouts.

INF Alen Hanson is now batting .267. He had three hits, one walk, four strikeouts, and a stolen base.

C Elias Diaz saw action in two games. He collected three hits, one RBI, one walk and three strikeouts. He is now batting .269.

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

RHP Radhames Liz didnt have a start this week.

More from Pirates Prospects

C Tony Sanchez  had two hits, one RBI, three strikeouts and three walks. His average is now .234 for the season.

OF Keon Broxton had four hits, including a home run, two RBIs, three walks, two stolen bases and five strikeouts. His average is now .252.

1B John Bowker is now batting .227 after collecting one RBI and two strikeouts.

P Brad Lincoln pitched two innings this week. He allowed one earned run on two hits, three walks and four strikeouts.

Injury Report:

RHP Angel Sanchez remained on the disabled list.

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 Louisville Bats in a three game series to start the week. Then they will travel to Louisville for two games with the Bats. They wrap up the week with a Saturday/Sunday two game series at Toledo with the Mud Hens.

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 4-2 over the last week. The Curve took just one of three from the Portland Sea Dogs. Then the Curve headed to Bowie and swept the three game series with the Baysox.

Eastern League West Division standings:

Bowie Baysox – 71-55

Altoona Curve – 68-59

Akron RubberDucks – 66-61

Richmond Flying Squirrels – 62-63

Harrisburg Senators – 61-66

Erie SeaWolves – 54-71

Players that stood out:

OF Andy Vasquez is now batting .238. He had three hits, including a home run, two RBIs, and three strikeouts.

RHP Jason Creasy picked up his tenth win of the season. He went five innings, allowing just one earned run on six hits, two walks and three strikeouts.

RHP Chad Kuhl picked up his tenth win of the season. He went seven innings and allowed just two hits and four strikeouts. He also had a no decision where he pitched six innings and allowed three hits, one walk and three strikeouts.

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

LHP Steven Brault picked up his seventh win this week. He went 6.1 innings and allowed just one earned run on seven hits, one walk and five strikeouts.

INF Adam Frazier had nine hits, one RBI, four walks and three stolen bases. He saw his average drop to .329.

OF Mel Rojas Jr is hitting .254. He collected six hits, one walk and struck out six times this week.

2B Max Moroff saw his average drop to .293. He collected three hits, three RBIs, six walks and eight strikeouts.

OF Stetson Allie had three hits, one RBI, two walks and one strikeout and saw his average climb slightly to .202.

INF Jose Osuna had eight hits, including a home run, ten RBIs, one walk and two strikeouts. He is now hitting  .297.

A look at next week:

The Curve will spend the week at home. The Curve will host a three game series with the Reading Fightin Phils. Then the Trenton Thunder will come to Altoona for a four game series.

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 4-3 over the past week. The Marauders took two of three games from the St Lucie Mets. Then they dropped the first game of the series with the Fort Myers Miracle before taking the final two games. Finally, on Sunday, the Marauders dropped the first game of the series with the Palm Beach Cardinals.

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 – 38-18 (70-56)

Bradenton Marauders – 34-22 (66-60)

Fort Myers Miracle – 32-26 (70-58)

St. Lucie Mets – 29-27 (64-62)

Jupiter Hammerheads – 26-32 (61-67)

Charlotte Stone Crabs – 18-36 (63-61)

Players that stood out:

OF Harold Ramirez  had nine hits, three RBIs, one walk, one stolen base, four strikeouts and his average is now .353.

OF Austin Meadows is now batting .305 after collecting eight hits, four RBIs and six  strikeouts.

Reese McGuire had four hits, two RBIs and two strikeouts. His average is now .257.

LHP Cody Dickson continues to the team with ten wins.

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

RHP Montana DuRapau leads the team with nine saves.

A look at next week: The Marauders will continue the series in Palm Beach with the Cardinals on Monday and Tuesday. They will enjoy a day off on Wednesday. Then they will head to Fort Myers for a three game, Thursday to Saturday, series with the Miracle. Then, on Sunday, they will return home to start a three game series withe the Palm Beach 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 5-2 over the last week. The Power took two of three while visiting the Lexington Legends. Then the Power returned home for a four game series with the Lakewood BlueClaws. The Power dropped the first game of the series but then rebounded to win the final three games of the series.

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 – 39-17 (76-49)

Hickory Crawdads – 30-26 (74-50)

Lakewood BlueClaws – 30-26 (63-61)

Delmarva Shorebirds – 28-28 (61-63)

Hagerstown Suns – 28-28 (63-61)

Kannapolis Intimidators – 24-31 (59-65)

Greensboro Grasshoppers – 18-38 (47-78)

Players that stood out:

SS Kevin Newman is batting .264 since being called up. He had eight hits, one RBI, one walk, two stolen bases and two strikeouts.

OF Michael Suchy saw his average drop slightly to .293 while collecting five hits, including one home run, two RBIs, four walks and seven strikeouts.

INF Jerrick Suiter had his average drop to .299 while collecting seven hits, two RBIs, two strikeouts and one stolen base.

OF Elvis Escobar saw his average rise to .303. He had ten hits, two RBIs, one walk and one strikeout.

INF Chase Simpson is now batting .249. He had three hits, including a home run, four RBIs, four walks and two strikeouts.

INF Jordan Luplow saw his average rise to .263 after collecting four hits, three RBIs, four walks, four strikeouts and two stolen bases.

RHP Austin Coley leads the team with fourteen wins and ninety-eight strikeouts.

RHP Yeudy Garcia now has twelve wins and ninety-six strikeouts.

LHP Stephen Tarpley has ten wins and ninety-five strikeouts.

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

A look at next week:

The Power will enjoy an off day on Monday. Then they will travel to Augusta for a four game series with the GreenJackets.  They wrap up the weekend by returning home on Saturday to start a five 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 3-0  The Black Bears completed the two game sweep over the Auburn Doubledays after the All Star Break. The Black Bears then headed to Mahoning Valley where they took the first two games of the series before dropping the series finale on Sunday to the Scrappers.

For more on the Black Bears, You can find our series recaps for the all star game, the series with the Auburn DoubleDays and the series with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

New York-Penn League Pinckney Division:

Williamsport Crosscutters – 39-22

State College Spikes – 33-27

West Virginia Black Bears – 31-30

Mahoning Valley Scrappers – 27-32

Auburn Doubledays – 26-33

Batavia Muckdogs – 25-35

Players that stood out:

OF Logan Hill is currently hitting .310 with an OPS of .912. He had five walks, one stolen base and four strikeouts.

OF Ty Moore is currently hitting .277 with an OPS of .711. He had three hits, two RBIs, two walks and five strikeouts.

C Daniel Arribas is currently hitting .258 with an OPS of .633. He had three hits, two RBIs, one walk and three strikeouts.

1B Albert Baur is currently hitting .273. He had three hits, one RBI, and five strikeouts.

3B Kevin Kramer is currently hitting .290. He had nine hits, four RBIs, four walks and two strikeouts.

2B Mitchell Tolman is currently hitting .281. He had three hits, one RBI, three walks and two strikeouts.

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

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

LHP Cesilio Pimentel leads the team with fifty strikeouts and four saves.

RHP Julio Eusebio also has four saves.

LHP Andy Otamendi, RHP Edgar Santana and LHP Sean Keselica each have three saves.

RHP Nick Hibbing leads the team with a 1.35 ERA.(minimum 10 innings pitched) He has thrown 33.1 innings.

LHP Brandon Waddell, the Pirates fifth round draft pick in 2015, has made three starts and doesn’t have a win or loss yet.

A Look At Next Week:

The Black Bears will return home on Monday to begin a three game series with the Batavia Muckdogs. Then the Mahoning Valley Scrappers will come to Morgantown for a three game series. The Black Bears will hit the road again starting on Sunday as they go to Batavia for a three game series with the Muckdogs.

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 finished the week by going 3-3. The Pirates beat the Bluefield Blue Jays twice to start the week. Then they dropped the first two at the Princeton Rays before winning the series finale. Then they headed to Kingsport to begin a three game series with the Mets, The Mets took the first game of the series on Sunday. The second game of the doubleheader was rained out and will be played on Monday.

Appalachian League West:

Kingsport Mets – 32-26

Elizabethton Twins – 31-27

Greeneville Astros – 29-29

Bristol Pirates – 26-28

Johnson City Cardinals – 26-30

A Look at Next Week:

The Bristol Pirates will continue the series at home with the Kingsport Mets. Then they will host a four game series with the Pulaski Yankees in the final home series of the season.

This has been the Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Report for August 24th. Make sure to check back next Monday for our weekly trip around the Pirates’ minor league system!

Next: Black Bears/Tigers Recap

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