A couple of thoughts and the farm report while the Bucs loll in San Diego:
-- Hey, it's great to see the Pirates playing a solid brand of winning ball early in the season. It's even creating a little buzz among the fans. But a quick start doesn't guarantee a thing.
On this day in 1962, the Bucs had stormed out of the gate, winning ten straight games to start the season. They were home at Forbes Field against Casey Stengel's expansion Mets, in their first season of existance and losers of all nine games that they played.
Money in the bank? Nah. The Mets romped, 10-1, behind a complete-game five-hitter by the ex-Red Jay Hook. Pittsburgh would go on to lose 13 of the next 17 ball games.
Just a little reminder for the 2009 Pirates - you're only as good as your next game.
-- Before the season everyone, including GW, looked at Nyjer Morgan as a placeholder for Andrew McCutchen. Well, Morgan is off to a sizzling start, batting .323 with 10 runs scored, nine RBI, six stolen bases and a .371 OBP.
Brandon Moss, on the other hand, was thought to be a potential breakout player. He's platooning with Craig Monroe, and hitting .225 with no RBI. It's early, but maybe we had our placeholders mixed up.
-- We thought that this would be a good day to take a look at how the Buc's prospects were starting off their year. The top guns, according to Baseball Prospectus:
7. Brad Lincoln, RHP: He's 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three starts. Lincoln has 14 K's and 2 walks in 14 innings of work.
6. Quinton Miller, RHP: Will start in June at short-season State College.
5. Robbie Grossman, CF: The high-school hot shot is batting .216 with an RBI and 21 K's in 51 at-bats at West Virginia.
4. Bryan Morris, RHP: Who knows? The injury-cursed righty has a shoulder impingement, and is out until June.
3. Jose Tabata, OF: He's hitting .234 at Altoona, with 4 RBI and 6 runs scored.
2. Andrew McCutchen, CF: Cutch is batting .315 with a HR, 4 RBI, and 14 runs at Indy. He's struck out 6 times and walked just 5 in 54 at-bats, with 3 stolen sacks.
1. Pedro Alvarez, 3B: Pedro is hitting .267 with 3 HR, 17 RBI, and a .489 slugging %. He's shown a good eye, striking out 10 times in 45 at-bats with 9 walks. The big guy has also booted 6 balls at third and looks like a first baseman playing the hot corner so far.
The guys at Indy? Tearing it up are SS Brian Bixler (.346-0-8, 15 runs scored), OF Garrett Jones (.314-1-9), and OF Jeff Salazar (.308-0-4). 1B Steve Pearce (.243-2-10), 2B Shelby Ford (.211-1-4), and 3B Neil Walker (.204-2-9) need a quick visit from Donny Long.
RHP Juan Mateo has pitched 10 innings without giving up a run on three hits and striking out six. RHP Dan McCutchen is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 20 K's in 16 innings. RHP Evan Meek has a 1.23 ERA in five outings, giving up only 2 hits and striking out seven in 7-1/3 innings. But he's also yielded seven walks, and that's worrisome.
LHP Gorzo is still in a deep, dark, funk. He's 1-0 with a 4.48 ERA, with 16 Ks and 7 walks in 16 innings of work.
Other prospects: 2B Jim Negrych at Class AA Altoona is hitting .333, with a .422 OBP. He's committed fives errors on the young season, two last night, but his troubles seem correctable - he's not muffing the chance, but throwing the ball away. Footwork, Jimmy, footwork.
RHP Ronald Uviedo (0-1, 1.20) pitched five shutout innings while allowing two hits Wednesday for High-A Lynchburg. So far, his conversion from closer to starter looks like a plan. The only concern is that he doesn't have much of a K rate yet; just 6 in 10 innings. We'll keep an eye on that.
SS Chase d'Arnaud (.361-1-8) and 1B Calvin Anderson (.311-2-9) are providing the firepower for Class A West Virginia.
Showing posts with label pirate farm 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pirate farm 2009. Show all posts
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Week One Farm Report - Drought Warning
-- The Pirate farm teams are not exactly sprinting out of the gates. Outside of High A Lynchburg, which is 2-1, the Bucco system has yet to notch a win: AAA Indy is 0-3, AA Altoona is 0-4, and A West Virginia is 0-3.
Indy lost 16-5, 4-2, and 5-4 to Toledo on the road. 3B Neil Walker (.385), 2B Andy Phillips (.364), and CF Andrew McCutchen (.308) are off to good starts at the plate. RHPs Evan Meek and Chris Bootcheck have been strong out of the pen, and RHP Ty Taubenheim pitched five good innings.
RHP Jimmy Barthmaier injured his elbow; the severity won't be known until an MRI is taken early next week. RHP Juan Mateo was called up from Altoona to replace him.
Altoona started by visiting the lakefront and was swept by Erie 8-7, 10-7, 2-0, and 2-1 for the worst start in its history.
RHP Jared Hughes went six innings of no-hit ball, and RHP Mike Crotta threw five shutout frames in the last two losses. SS Brian Friday is hitting .667 and 2B Jim Negrych .412; CF Jose Tabata (.235) had a three-game hitting streak stopped yesterday.
Veteran RHPs Josh Hill, who pitched for the Australian team in the WBC, and Jean Machi were promoted from State College to Altoona to replace Mateo and RHP Derek Hankins, who is on the DL with the stomach flu.
Lynchburg has taken 6-5 and 14-7 wins, and was dealt a 2-0 loss against Potomac at home. RHP Ronald Uviedo was sharp in his first try as a starter, going six innings and giving up one earned run on seven hits, with three whiffs and no walks.
Just about everyone's hitting. OF Matt Hague is batting .417, SS Jordy Mercer is at .333, and 3B Pedro has returned to earth, hitting .231 but with a team-high 7 RBI.
The bad news is that uber-prospect RHP Bryan Morris was placed on the DL with right shoulder inflammation. He had foot surgery during the off-season and came off of TJ surgery before that; let's hope his body can remain in one piece after this bout.
West Virginia was swept in Charleston by Lexington 5-4, 6-3, and 13-2. OF Erik Huber (.429), 1B Calvin Anderson (.400-2-5), and CF Robbie Grossman (.364) lead the Power attack.
RHP Chris Cullen has been promoted from the Power to Lynchburg, and RHP Brad Hinkle was called up from extended spring training to take his spot at WVA.
Hinkle is an interesting project. The 23-year old, formerly Cleveland property, is 6'10" and throws a 91 MPH heater, but it's quite effective because of his downward angle. He was 1-1 with a 3.54 ERA and 56 K's in 48 innings for short-season Mahoning Valley last year.
Short season State College starts their season on April 19th.
-- John Perrotto of the Pirates Report has this take on the Bucs' minor league system.
Indy lost 16-5, 4-2, and 5-4 to Toledo on the road. 3B Neil Walker (.385), 2B Andy Phillips (.364), and CF Andrew McCutchen (.308) are off to good starts at the plate. RHPs Evan Meek and Chris Bootcheck have been strong out of the pen, and RHP Ty Taubenheim pitched five good innings.
RHP Jimmy Barthmaier injured his elbow; the severity won't be known until an MRI is taken early next week. RHP Juan Mateo was called up from Altoona to replace him.
Altoona started by visiting the lakefront and was swept by Erie 8-7, 10-7, 2-0, and 2-1 for the worst start in its history.
RHP Jared Hughes went six innings of no-hit ball, and RHP Mike Crotta threw five shutout frames in the last two losses. SS Brian Friday is hitting .667 and 2B Jim Negrych .412; CF Jose Tabata (.235) had a three-game hitting streak stopped yesterday.
Veteran RHPs Josh Hill, who pitched for the Australian team in the WBC, and Jean Machi were promoted from State College to Altoona to replace Mateo and RHP Derek Hankins, who is on the DL with the stomach flu.
Lynchburg has taken 6-5 and 14-7 wins, and was dealt a 2-0 loss against Potomac at home. RHP Ronald Uviedo was sharp in his first try as a starter, going six innings and giving up one earned run on seven hits, with three whiffs and no walks.
Just about everyone's hitting. OF Matt Hague is batting .417, SS Jordy Mercer is at .333, and 3B Pedro has returned to earth, hitting .231 but with a team-high 7 RBI.
The bad news is that uber-prospect RHP Bryan Morris was placed on the DL with right shoulder inflammation. He had foot surgery during the off-season and came off of TJ surgery before that; let's hope his body can remain in one piece after this bout.
West Virginia was swept in Charleston by Lexington 5-4, 6-3, and 13-2. OF Erik Huber (.429), 1B Calvin Anderson (.400-2-5), and CF Robbie Grossman (.364) lead the Power attack.
RHP Chris Cullen has been promoted from the Power to Lynchburg, and RHP Brad Hinkle was called up from extended spring training to take his spot at WVA.
Hinkle is an interesting project. The 23-year old, formerly Cleveland property, is 6'10" and throws a 91 MPH heater, but it's quite effective because of his downward angle. He was 1-1 with a 3.54 ERA and 56 K's in 48 innings for short-season Mahoning Valley last year.
Short season State College starts their season on April 19th.
-- John Perrotto of the Pirates Report has this take on the Bucs' minor league system.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Old Charlies Turn On the Power
Hey, you Bucco fans that date back to the seventies should remember the ol' Charleston Charlies, Pittsburgh's AAA club from 1971-76; they took the International League title in 1973. Pirates that passed through the Charlies include Dave Parker, Richie Zisk, John Candelaria, Kent Tekulve, Gene Garber, and Willie Randolph.
The old roots are being restored through the newest addition to the Pirate system, the Class A West Virginia Power, located in Charleston and playing in the Sally League. With a field that's only five years old (Appalachian Power Park) and probably a little wink from Wheeling-based Bucco owner Bob Nutting, the Power took over the Class A reins from Hickory.
In fact, the Power came up with a new secondary logo. "Chuck" is a baseball wearing a jaunty derby hat, red bandanna underneath, and Bucco eye patch, reflecting the former Charleston Charlies and the renewed affiliation with the Pirates.
They brought most of the old Hickory staff south with them. Gary Green, formerly of Allderdice, was a cup-of-coffee utility guy in the majors. It will be his third year at the helm of the Class A Buccos.
Pitching coach Jeff Johnson rejoins him in his second year, and hitting instructor Edgar Varela is in his second year, too, coming from the rookie ball Bradenton Pirates of the GCL.
West Virginia Opening Day Roster
Pitchers - RH Ramon Aguero, RH Gabriel Alvarado, RH Gary Amato, RH Maurice Bankston, LH Tyler Cox, RH Chris Cullen, RH Brian Leach, RH Yoffri Martinez, RH Wilson Ortiz, RH Eddie Pena, LH Rudy Owens, RH Duke Welker.
The Watch List: Cox, Leach, Martinez, Owens. Tyler Cox was lights out in the GCL, but as a 23-year old, he has to keep on a fast track. Brian Leach throws at 92-93 MPH with OK control; we'll see if escaping State College improves his performance, which wasn't that bad there last year (1-3, 3.98 ERA).
Yoffri Martinez faces a make-or-break year at 23-years old; he has to find the plate. Rudy Owens is a young lefty (21) with good control, but has been erratic in his time with Pittsburgh.
Duke Welker was a second round pick in 2007, but hasn't lived up to the billing yet.
Not very much of a staff. The Pirates are going to have to start stocking up on young arms if they want the system to be capable of replenishing itself.
Catchers - Danny Bomback, Josue Peley, Andrew Walker.
The Watch List: Walker. Considered solid rather than toolsy, Andrew Walker does a lot of little things OK. If he can stay in one piece, he should be moving on to Lynchburg fairly quickly in a catcher starved Pirate system. He was noticeably hobbled last year, playing through a bum ankle.
The Bucs are so depleted in the lower-levels at catcher that both Danny Bomback and Josue Peley were converted from other positions just to have enough bodies available.
Infielders - 1B Calvin Anderson, 2B Adenson Chourio, SS Chase d'Arnaud, 2B Greg Picard, 3B Bobby Spain.
The Watch List: Anderson, Chourio, d'Arnaud, Spain. Calvin Anderson is a Southern U product, and has some upside, but is raw. It didn't help that he missed the last six weeks of 2008 with an ankle injury. Adenson Chourio is an ideal leadoff hitter, with a good average, eye, and speed, but the 22-year old has been a little long in the tooth at every level he's played at.
Chase d'Arnaud is a good glove guy with gap power, and plays third also. He may see some time at second, too. Bobby Spain is a poor man's version of Jim Negrych, but may be squeezed by the 2008 draft class, which was heavy on 3B; Matt Hague leapfrogged him to Lynchburg.
Outfielders - Andrew Biela, Edward Garcia, Robbie Grossman, Erik Huber, Quincy Latimore.
The Watch List: Biela, Grossman, Latimore. 20-year old Andrew Biela was drafted as a high-school pick in 2007, and has to add some power to be considered in the mix for a corner OF spot. 19-year old Robbie Grossman was the sixth pick out of high school last year, and some see him as another potential Nate McLouth.
Quincy Latimore, 20, is a 2007 high school pick. He's athletic, but needs to work on plate discipline. Austin McCune should join the roster after he returns from a bout of mono. He's a 21-year old drafted out of high school in 2006, with good speed, a good glove, and a project at the plate.
The Pirates aren't very deep in outfielders, but they have a stash of former high school picks, all age appropriate, at West Virginia. That's a good sign.
The old roots are being restored through the newest addition to the Pirate system, the Class A West Virginia Power, located in Charleston and playing in the Sally League. With a field that's only five years old (Appalachian Power Park) and probably a little wink from Wheeling-based Bucco owner Bob Nutting, the Power took over the Class A reins from Hickory.
In fact, the Power came up with a new secondary logo. "Chuck" is a baseball wearing a jaunty derby hat, red bandanna underneath, and Bucco eye patch, reflecting the former Charleston Charlies and the renewed affiliation with the Pirates.
They brought most of the old Hickory staff south with them. Gary Green, formerly of Allderdice, was a cup-of-coffee utility guy in the majors. It will be his third year at the helm of the Class A Buccos.
Pitching coach Jeff Johnson rejoins him in his second year, and hitting instructor Edgar Varela is in his second year, too, coming from the rookie ball Bradenton Pirates of the GCL.
West Virginia Opening Day Roster
Pitchers - RH Ramon Aguero, RH Gabriel Alvarado, RH Gary Amato, RH Maurice Bankston, LH Tyler Cox, RH Chris Cullen, RH Brian Leach, RH Yoffri Martinez, RH Wilson Ortiz, RH Eddie Pena, LH Rudy Owens, RH Duke Welker.
The Watch List: Cox, Leach, Martinez, Owens. Tyler Cox was lights out in the GCL, but as a 23-year old, he has to keep on a fast track. Brian Leach throws at 92-93 MPH with OK control; we'll see if escaping State College improves his performance, which wasn't that bad there last year (1-3, 3.98 ERA).
Yoffri Martinez faces a make-or-break year at 23-years old; he has to find the plate. Rudy Owens is a young lefty (21) with good control, but has been erratic in his time with Pittsburgh.
Duke Welker was a second round pick in 2007, but hasn't lived up to the billing yet.
Not very much of a staff. The Pirates are going to have to start stocking up on young arms if they want the system to be capable of replenishing itself.
Catchers - Danny Bomback, Josue Peley, Andrew Walker.
The Watch List: Walker. Considered solid rather than toolsy, Andrew Walker does a lot of little things OK. If he can stay in one piece, he should be moving on to Lynchburg fairly quickly in a catcher starved Pirate system. He was noticeably hobbled last year, playing through a bum ankle.
The Bucs are so depleted in the lower-levels at catcher that both Danny Bomback and Josue Peley were converted from other positions just to have enough bodies available.
Infielders - 1B Calvin Anderson, 2B Adenson Chourio, SS Chase d'Arnaud, 2B Greg Picard, 3B Bobby Spain.
The Watch List: Anderson, Chourio, d'Arnaud, Spain. Calvin Anderson is a Southern U product, and has some upside, but is raw. It didn't help that he missed the last six weeks of 2008 with an ankle injury. Adenson Chourio is an ideal leadoff hitter, with a good average, eye, and speed, but the 22-year old has been a little long in the tooth at every level he's played at.
Chase d'Arnaud is a good glove guy with gap power, and plays third also. He may see some time at second, too. Bobby Spain is a poor man's version of Jim Negrych, but may be squeezed by the 2008 draft class, which was heavy on 3B; Matt Hague leapfrogged him to Lynchburg.
Outfielders - Andrew Biela, Edward Garcia, Robbie Grossman, Erik Huber, Quincy Latimore.
The Watch List: Biela, Grossman, Latimore. 20-year old Andrew Biela was drafted as a high-school pick in 2007, and has to add some power to be considered in the mix for a corner OF spot. 19-year old Robbie Grossman was the sixth pick out of high school last year, and some see him as another potential Nate McLouth.
Quincy Latimore, 20, is a 2007 high school pick. He's athletic, but needs to work on plate discipline. Austin McCune should join the roster after he returns from a bout of mono. He's a 21-year old drafted out of high school in 2006, with good speed, a good glove, and a project at the plate.
The Pirates aren't very deep in outfielders, but they have a stash of former high school picks, all age appropriate, at West Virginia. That's a good sign.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Lynchburg - Prospect Launching Pad
Lynchburg, the Pirate's High-A affiliate, started the season with a 6-5 win over Potomac. The team features two of the bright stars of the Pirate constellation, 3B Pedro Alvarez and RHP Bryan Morris.
4,000 crammed into Calvin Falwell Field to catch Pedro, and Alvarez didn't disappoint. He homered and doubled in his first game, going 3-for-4, with 4 RBI. Nice debut, hey?
They're not the only pieces of the future to be toiling for the Hillcats. SS Jordy Mercer (3rd round - 2008), 3B Matt Hague (9th round - 2008), OF Marcus Davis (18th round - 2007), LHP Justin Wilson (5th round - 2008), and RHP Ronald Uviedo (#18 prospect - Baseball America) are also on the roster.
The manager is P.J. Forbes, who coached AA Reading last season in the Philly system. Wally Whitehurst (pitching coach) and Dave Howard (hitting coach) will assist him. All three are newcomers to the Pittsburgh organization; Whitehurst came from the San Diego system and Howard from Tampa Bay.
Lynchburg Opening Day Roster
Pitchers - RH Harrison Bishop, RH Tom Boleska, RH Christian Castorri, LH Chi-Hung Chen, LH Michael Felix, RH Matt McSwain, LH Paul Mildren, RH Dusty Molliken, RH Bryan Morris, RH RJ Rodriguez, RH Ron Uviedo, and LH Justin Wilson.
The Watch List: Morris, Uviedo, Wilson. Bryan Morris was the deal-maker for the Jay Bay trade, and this will be his second season after TJ surgery. Ron Uviedo was placed on the 40-man after recording 40 saves last season; the Pirates are going to try him in the rotation this year. Wilson helped lead Fresno State to the College World Series title in 2008, and signed late with the Pirates.
Harrison Bishop and Tom Boleska both had nice seasons last year, and are young enough to continue through the ranks. Michael Felix was the second round pick in 2006, but is still looking to put a solid season together.
Catchers - Joel Collins, Milver Reyes, Kris Watts.
The Watch List: All three have the look of organizational-type players. The Bucs are top-heavy with young catchers, but not very well stocked at the lower levels.
Infielders - 3B Pedro Alvarez, 2B Ray Chang, SS Jose De Los Santos, 3B Matt Hague, SS Jordy Mercer, 1B Kent Sakamoto.
The Watch List: Alvarez, De Los Santos, Hague, Mercer. Pedro is looking to move on to Altoona sooner rather than later. Jose De Los Santos is a good glove guy and a decent singles hitter with some speed, but is squeezed between Brian Friday and Mercer. He'll log a lot of time at 2B. Matt Hague will see some work as a corner OF as the Bucs are loaded at 3B, and Jordy Mercer is advancing through the Pirate ranks on schedule.
Outfielders - Marcus Davis, Miles Durham, Maiko Loyola, Eddie Prasch, Alex Presley.
The Watch List: Davis. Marcus Davis is 24, long in the tooth for the A level, and has to get it going this year. He played his college ball at Alcorn State, and missed some time because of a knee injury. Davis is considered to have some upside in a thin Pirate minor-league OF, but the clock is ticking on his efforts to turn from project into prospect.
4,000 crammed into Calvin Falwell Field to catch Pedro, and Alvarez didn't disappoint. He homered and doubled in his first game, going 3-for-4, with 4 RBI. Nice debut, hey?
They're not the only pieces of the future to be toiling for the Hillcats. SS Jordy Mercer (3rd round - 2008), 3B Matt Hague (9th round - 2008), OF Marcus Davis (18th round - 2007), LHP Justin Wilson (5th round - 2008), and RHP Ronald Uviedo (#18 prospect - Baseball America) are also on the roster.
The manager is P.J. Forbes, who coached AA Reading last season in the Philly system. Wally Whitehurst (pitching coach) and Dave Howard (hitting coach) will assist him. All three are newcomers to the Pittsburgh organization; Whitehurst came from the San Diego system and Howard from Tampa Bay.
Lynchburg Opening Day Roster
Pitchers - RH Harrison Bishop, RH Tom Boleska, RH Christian Castorri, LH Chi-Hung Chen, LH Michael Felix, RH Matt McSwain, LH Paul Mildren, RH Dusty Molliken, RH Bryan Morris, RH RJ Rodriguez, RH Ron Uviedo, and LH Justin Wilson.
The Watch List: Morris, Uviedo, Wilson. Bryan Morris was the deal-maker for the Jay Bay trade, and this will be his second season after TJ surgery. Ron Uviedo was placed on the 40-man after recording 40 saves last season; the Pirates are going to try him in the rotation this year. Wilson helped lead Fresno State to the College World Series title in 2008, and signed late with the Pirates.
Harrison Bishop and Tom Boleska both had nice seasons last year, and are young enough to continue through the ranks. Michael Felix was the second round pick in 2006, but is still looking to put a solid season together.
Catchers - Joel Collins, Milver Reyes, Kris Watts.
The Watch List: All three have the look of organizational-type players. The Bucs are top-heavy with young catchers, but not very well stocked at the lower levels.
Infielders - 3B Pedro Alvarez, 2B Ray Chang, SS Jose De Los Santos, 3B Matt Hague, SS Jordy Mercer, 1B Kent Sakamoto.
The Watch List: Alvarez, De Los Santos, Hague, Mercer. Pedro is looking to move on to Altoona sooner rather than later. Jose De Los Santos is a good glove guy and a decent singles hitter with some speed, but is squeezed between Brian Friday and Mercer. He'll log a lot of time at 2B. Matt Hague will see some work as a corner OF as the Bucs are loaded at 3B, and Jordy Mercer is advancing through the Pirate ranks on schedule.
Outfielders - Marcus Davis, Miles Durham, Maiko Loyola, Eddie Prasch, Alex Presley.
The Watch List: Davis. Marcus Davis is 24, long in the tooth for the A level, and has to get it going this year. He played his college ball at Alcorn State, and missed some time because of a knee injury. Davis is considered to have some upside in a thin Pirate minor-league OF, but the clock is ticking on his efforts to turn from project into prospect.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Indy Opens Tonight
Hey, GW supposes the Bucs were serious about working Jason Davis as a starter - he's the opening day pitcher for the Indians tonight against the Toledo Mud Hens.
And in an interesting promo, for the third year in a row, the Tribe is offering free tickets for an April game to its fans if the weather isn't 60 degrees at the first pitch. They best be ready to pony up; it's supposed to be in the low 50s and raining.
The lid-lifter at Victory Field will mark the 123rd year of pro baseball in Indianapolis. A dozen Hall-of-Famers have passed through, and it seems like GM Max Schumacher has been there for all them. Well, in truth he might have missed a couple, but it's his 53rd year with the team. Ol' Max must be doing something right.
Frank Kremblas is the field boss after four years and three titles with the Brewer's PCL Nashville Sounds. He became the 58th manager in Indians history when he was named to the post in December 2008, replacing Trent Jewett. Kremblas played in Indy from 1993-96 when the Indians were a Cincinnati Reds affiliate.
He'll be joined by hitting coach Jeff Branson, who played in 139 games for Indianapolis during the 1997 and 1999 seasons and is his seventh season as part of the Pirate system. Ray Searage will handle the pitching chores. He's returning for a seventh season in the Buc organization, with stops at Williamsport, Hickory, and Altoona.
Indianapolis Opening Day Roster
Pitchers - RH Jimmy Barthmaier, RH Denny Bautista, RH Chris Bootcheck, LH Dave Davidson, RH Jason Davis, LH Tom Gorzelanny, LH Corey Hamman, RH Daniel McCutchen, RH Evan Meek, RH Jeremy Powell, RH Brian Slocum, RH Virgil Vasquez.
The Watch List: Bootcheck, Davis, Gorzo, McCutchen, Meek, Vasquez. The Bucs aren't very deep in arms, and have turned Indy's pitching roster inside-out from last year. Meek will be back in Pittsburgh as soon as he's healthy and stretched out.
The others all have to prove they belong, with Davis being the strongest candidate to pop up in PNC. But there should be plenty of opportunity if the performance is there.
Catchers - Robinzon Diaz, Erik Kratz.
The Watch List: Diaz. He lit it up with his bat in the spring, and may alternate in ther bigs with Jason Jaramillo to give each regular work in the minors while serving as Ryan Doumit's caddy in the show.
Infielders - SS Brian Bixler, 1B Jason Delaney, IF Anderson Machada, 1B Steve Pearce, IF Andy Phillips, 3B Neil Walker.
The Watch List: Bix, Pearce, Phillips, Walker. Brian Bixler will try to regain some luster as a prospect after a promising spring, and Neil Walker will work on his patience at the dish. Steve Pearce returns to the future at first base, and Andy Phillips will look to take Luis Cruz's utility role in Pittsburgh. Shelby Ford will be in the mix shortly; he's still out with a bruised wrist suffered in camp.
Outfielders - Larry Broadway, Garrett Jones, Andrew McCutchen, Jeff Salazar.
The Watch List: Jones, McCutch, Salazar. Andrew McCutchen will join the show sometime this year. Jones and Salazar are insurance policies for Pittsburgh, Jones at first, Salazar in the outfield.
The Pirates did some major house-cleaning here from last year, but all in all, it's not a terribly imposing opening-day roster, particularly on the hill. Most of the Bucs' young guns are already in Pittsburgh, but if all goes according to plan, guys like Jose Tabata, Pedro Alvarez, and Jeff Sues should be making their Indy debuts sometime this season.
And in an interesting promo, for the third year in a row, the Tribe is offering free tickets for an April game to its fans if the weather isn't 60 degrees at the first pitch. They best be ready to pony up; it's supposed to be in the low 50s and raining.
The lid-lifter at Victory Field will mark the 123rd year of pro baseball in Indianapolis. A dozen Hall-of-Famers have passed through, and it seems like GM Max Schumacher has been there for all them. Well, in truth he might have missed a couple, but it's his 53rd year with the team. Ol' Max must be doing something right.
Frank Kremblas is the field boss after four years and three titles with the Brewer's PCL Nashville Sounds. He became the 58th manager in Indians history when he was named to the post in December 2008, replacing Trent Jewett. Kremblas played in Indy from 1993-96 when the Indians were a Cincinnati Reds affiliate.
He'll be joined by hitting coach Jeff Branson, who played in 139 games for Indianapolis during the 1997 and 1999 seasons and is his seventh season as part of the Pirate system. Ray Searage will handle the pitching chores. He's returning for a seventh season in the Buc organization, with stops at Williamsport, Hickory, and Altoona.
Indianapolis Opening Day Roster
Pitchers - RH Jimmy Barthmaier, RH Denny Bautista, RH Chris Bootcheck, LH Dave Davidson, RH Jason Davis, LH Tom Gorzelanny, LH Corey Hamman, RH Daniel McCutchen, RH Evan Meek, RH Jeremy Powell, RH Brian Slocum, RH Virgil Vasquez.
The Watch List: Bootcheck, Davis, Gorzo, McCutchen, Meek, Vasquez. The Bucs aren't very deep in arms, and have turned Indy's pitching roster inside-out from last year. Meek will be back in Pittsburgh as soon as he's healthy and stretched out.
The others all have to prove they belong, with Davis being the strongest candidate to pop up in PNC. But there should be plenty of opportunity if the performance is there.
Catchers - Robinzon Diaz, Erik Kratz.
The Watch List: Diaz. He lit it up with his bat in the spring, and may alternate in ther bigs with Jason Jaramillo to give each regular work in the minors while serving as Ryan Doumit's caddy in the show.
Infielders - SS Brian Bixler, 1B Jason Delaney, IF Anderson Machada, 1B Steve Pearce, IF Andy Phillips, 3B Neil Walker.
The Watch List: Bix, Pearce, Phillips, Walker. Brian Bixler will try to regain some luster as a prospect after a promising spring, and Neil Walker will work on his patience at the dish. Steve Pearce returns to the future at first base, and Andy Phillips will look to take Luis Cruz's utility role in Pittsburgh. Shelby Ford will be in the mix shortly; he's still out with a bruised wrist suffered in camp.
Outfielders - Larry Broadway, Garrett Jones, Andrew McCutchen, Jeff Salazar.
The Watch List: Jones, McCutch, Salazar. Andrew McCutchen will join the show sometime this year. Jones and Salazar are insurance policies for Pittsburgh, Jones at first, Salazar in the outfield.
The Pirates did some major house-cleaning here from last year, but all in all, it's not a terribly imposing opening-day roster, particularly on the hill. Most of the Bucs' young guns are already in Pittsburgh, but if all goes according to plan, guys like Jose Tabata, Pedro Alvarez, and Jeff Sues should be making their Indy debuts sometime this season.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Curve Open Season
Hey, the Bucs aren't the only ones with their game faces on. Their AA club, the Altoona Curve, open their season tonight. They take on the Erie SeaWolves at Jerry Uht Park in Erie. Hope they brought their snowshoes!
Lefty Tony Watson gets the nod for the opener. Starting his third season in the pros, he's a Pirate arm to keep an eye on. Watson spent 2008 with the Lynchburg Hillcats in High A, where he compiled an 8-12 record, and a nice 3.56 ERA.
He's a junkballer with control (career 1.7 walks/9 innings, 1.18 WHIP), the textbook Dave Littlefield draftee. Signed in the ninth round in 2007, Watson's been effective at the A level and looks to keep moving his career along one step at a time.
It's not just the Altoona debut for Watson. Matt "Wally" Walbeck takes over as the fifth skipper in franchise history. He succeeds Marty Brown (1999-2000) Dale Sveum (2001-03) Tony Beasley (2004-05) and Tim Leiper (2006-08). Walbeck was the Eastern League Manager of the Year at Erie in 2007, and was honored by Baseball America as their Manager of the Year for all classifications the same season.
Also making their maiden runs in the Buc system are pitching coach Dean Treanor and hitting coach Ryan Long, who both joined the Pirates organization this past offseason.
The Curve Opening Day Roster:
Pichers - RH Mike Crotta, RH Derek Hankins, RH Yoslan Herrera, RH Lincoln Holdzkom, RH Jared Hughes, RH Eric Krebs, RH Brad Lincoln, RH Juan Mateo, LH Danny Moskos, LH Shawn Nottingham, RH Jeff Sues, LH Tony Watson.
The Watch List: Krebs, Lincoln, Mateo, Moskos, Sues, Watson. They have some promising talent on the hill this year. Lincoln and Sues should be on a fast track to Indy and beyond for 2010. Mateo is a pitch away from the bigs; he needs to develop an effective off-speed delivery to go with his heat. Krebs, Moskos, and Watson all have the potential to move up but have consistancy issues.
Catchers - Hector Gimenez, Steve Lerud, Miguel Perez.
The Watch List: Steve Lerud. The LH has a great glove and some pop in his bat.
Infielders - Brian Friday, Angel Gonzalez, Pedro Lopez, Jim Negrych, Jamie Romak.
The Watch List: Friday, Negrych, Romak. SS Friday is Plan B to replace Jack Wilson after Bix, 2B Negrych has a great eye and bat, and 1B Romak has some power, but has to cut down on his K's.
Outfielders - James Boone, Brad Corley, Jonel Pacheco, Jose Tabata.
The Watch List: Tabata is the cream of this crop; all eyes are on him to see if he can put the bizarre tale of his wife in the rear view mirror and get to Indy this year.
Five of the top 15 prospects in the Pirates system (#3: Jose Tabata, #4: Brad Lincoln, #7: Jeff Sues, #11: Jamie Romak, #14: Brian Friday) are on the Curve opening day roster. Altoona also returns 18 of 24 players from last year’s squad including their 2008 MVP, Jonel Pacheco, and their Pitcher of the Year, Juan Mateo.
Lefty Tony Watson gets the nod for the opener. Starting his third season in the pros, he's a Pirate arm to keep an eye on. Watson spent 2008 with the Lynchburg Hillcats in High A, where he compiled an 8-12 record, and a nice 3.56 ERA.
He's a junkballer with control (career 1.7 walks/9 innings, 1.18 WHIP), the textbook Dave Littlefield draftee. Signed in the ninth round in 2007, Watson's been effective at the A level and looks to keep moving his career along one step at a time.
It's not just the Altoona debut for Watson. Matt "Wally" Walbeck takes over as the fifth skipper in franchise history. He succeeds Marty Brown (1999-2000) Dale Sveum (2001-03) Tony Beasley (2004-05) and Tim Leiper (2006-08). Walbeck was the Eastern League Manager of the Year at Erie in 2007, and was honored by Baseball America as their Manager of the Year for all classifications the same season.
Also making their maiden runs in the Buc system are pitching coach Dean Treanor and hitting coach Ryan Long, who both joined the Pirates organization this past offseason.
The Curve Opening Day Roster:
Pichers - RH Mike Crotta, RH Derek Hankins, RH Yoslan Herrera, RH Lincoln Holdzkom, RH Jared Hughes, RH Eric Krebs, RH Brad Lincoln, RH Juan Mateo, LH Danny Moskos, LH Shawn Nottingham, RH Jeff Sues, LH Tony Watson.
The Watch List: Krebs, Lincoln, Mateo, Moskos, Sues, Watson. They have some promising talent on the hill this year. Lincoln and Sues should be on a fast track to Indy and beyond for 2010. Mateo is a pitch away from the bigs; he needs to develop an effective off-speed delivery to go with his heat. Krebs, Moskos, and Watson all have the potential to move up but have consistancy issues.
Catchers - Hector Gimenez, Steve Lerud, Miguel Perez.
The Watch List: Steve Lerud. The LH has a great glove and some pop in his bat.
Infielders - Brian Friday, Angel Gonzalez, Pedro Lopez, Jim Negrych, Jamie Romak.
The Watch List: Friday, Negrych, Romak. SS Friday is Plan B to replace Jack Wilson after Bix, 2B Negrych has a great eye and bat, and 1B Romak has some power, but has to cut down on his K's.
Outfielders - James Boone, Brad Corley, Jonel Pacheco, Jose Tabata.
The Watch List: Tabata is the cream of this crop; all eyes are on him to see if he can put the bizarre tale of his wife in the rear view mirror and get to Indy this year.
Five of the top 15 prospects in the Pirates system (#3: Jose Tabata, #4: Brad Lincoln, #7: Jeff Sues, #11: Jamie Romak, #14: Brian Friday) are on the Curve opening day roster. Altoona also returns 18 of 24 players from last year’s squad including their 2008 MVP, Jonel Pacheco, and their Pitcher of the Year, Juan Mateo.
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