Pittsburgh Pirates: Prospect Roundup 8/11-8/17

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Once a week there will be a Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect roundup on the minor leaguers in the Pirate’s farm system and their stats. It is August and the minor league season is coming to end in about a month.  We have a good judgement on the prospects’ season at this point.

These articles contain the top 30 prospect’s and their main stats for the season thus far. This will give you an easy and accessible page to view a prospect’s roundup and how they are doing on the year. The hitter stats this week will include their slash line, RBI totals, and some will have home-runs if they are supposed to be power hitting prospects.  Pitcher stats will include  their win-loss record, ERA, and their strikeout to walk ratios on the season. This week will also feature batters weighted runs created and fielding independent pitching for pitchers.

Some of the site contributors got to together and created this list after putting together a formula that consists of a number of stats, intangibles, and watching film on them. The stats that were used were based on their previous season performance and their career stat lines. With that being said, stats make up the bulk of how they are rated. Through this, we put the prospects in a tiered system, but for these updates it will be easier to use the traditional 1-30 rankings:

Prospects Reese McGuire and Harold Ramirez were removed; Taylor Hearn and Dovydas Neverauskas were added.  Jordan Luplow and Max Moroff were lowered to accommodate the two new adds.  With that the list still remains as close to the beginning of the season list. Jameson Taillon has lost prospect status, and Tito Polo has been added. 2016 draft picks are covered in their own weekly round up.

  • Right handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow. In the minor leagues (AAA plus rehab): 19 starts, 7-3, 2.06 ERA, 2.98 FIP, 2.19 strikeout/walk ratio in 105 innings. In the major leagues: 2 starts, 0-1, 5.40 ERA, 5.54 FIP, 1.40 strikeout/walk ratio in 8.1 innings. Currently on the Major League disabled list
  • Left handed hitter outfielder Austin Meadows. In the minor leagues (mainly AA and AAA): 71 games, 291 plate appearances, .290/.348/.560, 32 RBIs, 8 home runs, 148 wRC+.
  • Switch hitting first baseman Josh Bell. In the minor leagues (AAA): 112 games, 475 plate appearances, .296/.385/.471, 59 RBIs, 14 home runs, 146 wRC+. In the major leagues: 4 games, 4 plate appearances, 1.000/1.000/2.500, 4 RBIs, 1 home run, 604 wRC+.
  • Right handed hitting third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. In the minor leagues (A-): 65 games, 276 plate appearances, .263/.319/.393, 37 RBIs, 6 home runs, 103 wRC+. Currently on the disabled list.
  • Right handed hitting catcher Elias Diaz. In the minor leagues (AAA, but rehabbed in A+ and AA): 25 games, 97 plate appearances, .307/.361/.352, 11 RBIs, 1 home run, 109 wRC+. In the major leagues: 1 games, 4 plate appearances, .000/.000/.000, 1 RBI, 0 home runs, -100 wRC+.
  • Switch hitting second baseman/left fielder Alen Hanson. In the minor leagues (AAA): 103 games, 446 plate appearances, .265/.316/.376, 30 RBIs, 7 home runs, 98 wRC+, 34 stolen bases (70.8 stolen base percentage).
  • Left handed pitcher Steven Brault. In the minors (AAA, with one rehab in A-): 14 games, 2-6, 2.87 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 2.55 strikeout/walk ratio in 69 innings. In the major leagues: 2 starts, 0-1, 10 innings, 3.60 ERA, 4.34 FIP, 1.60 strikeout/walk out ratio in 10 innings.
  • Right handed pitcher Nick Kingham. AAA pitcher, but currently rehabbing from Tommy John in the GCL: 6 games, 0-4, 3.00 ERA, 2.14 FIP, 16.00 strikeout/walk ratio in 24 innings.
  • Right handed hitting shortstop Kevin Newman. In the minors (A+ and AA): 87 games, 395 plate appearances, .335/.399/.440, 44 RBIs, 4 home runs, 142 wRC+. 
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  • Right handed pitcher Mitch Keller. In the minors (A): 21 games started, 7-5, 2.72 ERA, 2.43 FIP, 7.93 strikeout/walk ratio in 112.1 innings.
  • Switch hitting shortstop Cole Tucker. In the minors (A and A+): 67 games, 314 plate appearances, .253/.326/.343, 24 RBIs, 2 home runs, 98 wRC+, 5 stolen bases (45.45 stolen base percentage).
  • Left handed pitcher Stephen Tarpley. In the minors (A+): 18 games started, 5-3, 4.60 ERA, 4.11 FIP, 2.31 strikeout/walk ratio in 88 innings.
  • Right handed pitcher Chad Kuhl. In the minors (AAA): 16 games started, 6-3, 2.37 ERA, 3.65 FIP, 4.13 strikeout/walk ratio in 83.2 innings. In the major leagues: 6 starts, 3-0, 3.73 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 2.44 strikeout/walk ratio in 31.1 innings.
  • Right handed pitcher Clay Holmes. In the minors (AA): 23 games started, 10-7, 4.02 ERA, 4.47 FIP, 1.70 strikeout/walk ratio in 123 innings.
  • Right handed hitting outfielder Willy Garcia. In the minors (AAA): 111 games, 434 plate appearances, .248/.300/.370, 37 RBIs, 6 home runs, 91 wRC+. 14 outfield assists.
  • Right handed pitcher Yeudy Garcia. In the minors (A+): 223 games, 22 games started, 5-8, 2.88 ERA, 3.40 FIP, 2.27 strikeout/walk ratio in 112.1 innings.
  • Right handed pitcher Trevor Williams. In the minors (AAA with one rehab start in A+): 18 games started, 8-6, 2.74 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 2.35 strikeout/walk ratio in 98.2 innings.
  • Left handed hitting utility play Adam Frazier. In the minors (AAA): 68 games, 299 plate appearances, .333/.401/.425, 22 RBIs, 0 home runs, 142 wRC+, 17 stolen bases (53.13 stolen base percentage). In the major leagues: 31 games, 72 plate appearances, .348/.375/.507, 7 RBIs, 1 home runs, 139 wRC+, 4 stolen bases (80 percent stolen base percentage).
  • Right handed pitcher Tyler Eppler. In the minors (AA): 22 games started, 7-9, 3.97 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 3.50 strikeout/walk ratio in 133.2 innings.
  • Left handed pitcher Taylor Hearn. In the minors with Washington and Pittsburgh (Rookie Ball and A): 13 games, 4 starts, 1-0, 2.95 ERA, 3.60 FIP, 3.31 strikeout/walk ratio in 26.2 innings.
  • Right handed outfielder Barrett Barnes. In the minors (AA): 104 games, 380 plate appearances, .302/.368/.446, 32 RBIs, 4 home runs, 128 wRC+.
  • Left handed hitting shortstop Kevin Kramer. In the minors (A+): 104 games, 455 plate appearances, .277/.350/.376, 50 RBIs, 3 home runs, 114 wRC+.
  • Right handed pitcher Dario Agrazal. In the minors (A): 23 games started, 7-10, 4.57 ERA, 4.67 FIP, 4.80 strikeout/walk ratio in 124 innings.
  • Right handed pitcher Gage Hinsz. In the minors (A): 13 games started, 4-7, 3.31 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 3.18 strikeout/walk rate in 70.2 innings. 
    Jun 20, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers pitcher
    Jun 20, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers pitcher /
  • Left handed pitcher Brandon Waddell. In the minors (A+ and AA): 23 games, 22 starts, 11-7, 3.29 ERA, 3.92 FIP, 1.80 strikeout/walk ratio in 125.2 innings.
  • Right handed hitting outfielder Jordan Luplow. In the minors (A+): 89 games, 367 plate appearances, .248/.361/.386, 46 RBIs, 6 home runs, 120 wRC+.
  • Right handed hitting first baseman/outfielder Jose Osuna. In the minors (AA and AAA): 114 games, 440 plate appearances, .278/.332/.475, 63 RBIs, 13 home runs, 125 wRC+.
  • Right handed relief pitcher Dovydas Neverauskas. In the minors (AA and AAA): 43 games, 4-3, 2.89 ERA, 2.73 FIP, 2.63 strikeout/walk rate in 53 innings.
  • Switch hitting infielder Max Moroff. In the minors (AAA): 114 games, 447 plate appearances, .234/.364/.357, 42 RBIs, 7 home runs, 114 wRC+. In the major leagues: 2 games, 2 plate appearances, .000/.000/.000, 0 RBIs, 0 home runs, -100 wRC+.
  • Right handed hitting outfielder Tito Polo. In the minors (A and A+): 98 games, 449 plate appearances, .295/.365/.474, 59 RBIs, 16 home runs, 143 wRC+, 35 stolen bases (68.6 stolen base percentage).
  • Next: Prospects Of The Week

    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
    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 /

    Prospects Of The Week

    Kevin Krause: 4 games, 16 plate appearances, .400/.438/.533, 190 wRC+

    Jose Osuna: 6 games, 23 plate appearances, .348/.348/.522, 151 wRC+

    Kevin Kramer: 6 games, 27 plate appearances, .320/.333/.440, 120 wRC+

    We do not have Kevin Krause ranked, but the catcher/right fielder for West Virginia has had a solid season, and produced a great week. On the year he is hitting .290/.395/.411 with a .390 wOBA and 147 wRC+. The thing that has really stood out for the 23 year old from Stony Brook University, is his ability to draw walks and limit strikeouts. In his 148 plate appearances, Krause has a walk rate of 13.5 percent and a strikeout rate of 9.5 percent. Down 5-4 going to the ninth, Krause led off the inning with a knock, leading to a four run ninth inning, and giving the Bears an 8-5 victory. Starting off that innings and his overall great week is why he is one of the prospects of the week. 

    More from Rum Bunter

    Jose Osuna, our number 27 prospect, produced a great week for the Triple A Indianapolis Indians. His prospect of the week comes from his strong numbers, despite not drawing a walk and striking out 13 percent of the time, but also from a big moment in game. Entering the fourth innings, the Indians trailed 1-0, but with two on and one out, Jose Osuna delivered. His three run home run off of Chris Leroux proved to be enough, as the Indians won 3-2.

    Our number 22 prospect Kevin Kramer had a great week. The 2015 second round pick from UCLA produced 11 runs, seven being RBIs and four being runs scored. Kramer was responsible for a run, either scoring himself, driving one in, or both, in five of the six games, and in the game he did not produce a run, he went 2-5. Kramer’s solid week, and solid season as a whole, places him as one of the three prospects of the week.

    The minor league season is entering its final stretch.  With that we have a really good sample size of the prospects numbers and can fully judge how they are performing this year. The big thing to look for now is the level they are playing at. We have already seen Taillon reach the majors and lose his prospect status, Waddell and Newman move up to AA, and Meadows and Osuna moved to AAA. We also have seen Josh Bell and Steven Brault reach the majors, but only to be optioned back down. Look for other prospects to start getting moved up from their current level, especially with minor league seasons ending and minor league playoffs starting.

    *Numbers from fangraphs and numbers entering game action on Wednesday, August 17

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