Down on the Farm by J.T.
(9-8-21)
The Pirates have been named the #4 farm system in the majors from MLB.com. Up from 23rd when Ben Cherington took over. With several trades and two drafts that experts have given good grades to, the Pirates now have a plethora of prospects in their system.
Bradenton Marauders (66-41) 5 GB
Bradenton continues to keep winning games, this team does not have the talent of Greensboro but enough pitching and player prospects to keep an eye on as we move forward.
C- Endy Rodriguez (NYM-Musgove trade)- .285 12-HR 62-RBI
OF- Hudson Head (SD-Musgrove trade)- .211 14-HR 48-RBI
SP- Eddy Yean (WSH-Bell Trade)- 5-2 5.14 ERA, 68-K 63-IP
SP- Jared Jones (2020, Rd. 2)- 3-4 3.88 ERA, 96 K 60-IP
SP- Adrian Florencio (FA)- 4-4 2.60 109K 83-IP
Hudson Head could be a future CF at PNC Park if and when he can cut his strikeouts down (127K 322-AB) Endy Rodriguez looked like the heir apparent to Jacob Stallings before the Pirates drafted Henry Davis and acquired Carter Bins. Jared Jones has to be taken serious 96-K in 60-IP is a crazy number.
Greensboro Grasshoppers (70-39) 5 GB
Greensboro has as much future MLB talent as just about any minor league team in baseball. Watching this team grow and continue playing will give a good preview of future Pirates teams.
SS- Liover Peguero (ARI- Marte Trade)- .261 6-HR 19-RBI
2B- Nick Gonzales (2020, Rd. 1)- .240 5-HR 11-RBI
C- Henry Davis (2021, Rd. 1)- .263 2-HR 3-RBI (8-24 placed on IL)
3B-Jared Triolo (2019, 72nd over) .305 14-HR 74-RBI
SP-Quinn Priester (2019, Rd. 1)- 7-3, 2.67 ERA, 93-K, 91-IP
SP-Carmen Mlodzinski- (2020, Rd.1)- 2-3 3.28 ERA, 63-K 49.1-IP
Nick Gonzales has been unconscious of late. Raising his average over .50 points in a month. Gonzales had a 2-game tear where he hit 5-HR and knocked in 15 runs.
Altoona Curve (53-53) 14 GB
Altoona finally has gotten back to full health with Oneil Cruz and Roansy Contreras both being activated. They also have welcomed prospect OF-Matt Fraizer to their lineup.
1B- Mason Martin (2017, Rd. 7) .253 21-HR 72-RBI
SS- Oneil Cruz (LAD/Watson Trade) .290 10-HR 34-RBI
OF- Cal Mitchell (2017, Rd. 2)- .282 12-HR 52-RBI
2B-Rodolfo Castro- (FA)- .266 12-HR 46-RBI (5-HR PIT)
OF-Njigba Canaan-Smith-(NYY-Taillon Trade) .286 6-HR 40-RBI
OF-Jack Suwinski- (SD-Frazier trade) .257 18-HR 50-RBI
OF-Matt Fraizer-(2019,Rd.3)- .304 22-HR 62-RBI
C-Carter Bins (SEA-Ty.Alexander trade)- .234 8-HR 41-RBI
SP- Roansy Contreras (NYY- Taillon Trade) 3-1 2.29 72-K 51-IP
SP- Omar Cruz-(SD-Musgrove Trade)- 5-7 3.43 ERA
Lots of talent at Altoona, starts with Oneil Cruz and Roansy Contreras. Rodolfo Castro has been up to Pittsburgh already and hit 5-HR.
Indianapolis Indians (52-56) 10.5 GB
Diego Castillo, Miguel Yajure, and Tucapita Marcano are the top 3 prospects to keep an eye on, since no Travis Swaggerty.
OF- Travis Swaggerty (2018, Rd. 1)- .220 3-HR (out for year)
SS- Diego Castillo (NYY-Holmes Trade)- .285 18-HR 53-RBI
UTL-Tucupita Marcano- (SD-Frazier Trade)- .252 7-HR 32-RBI
With the Swaggerty season ending injury, Indianapolis has for the most part been a place for the Will Craig’s, and Cole Tucker’s of the world..aka prospects who were once highly regarded.
Pirates Top 10 Prospects
(1)-2B- Nick Gonzales
(2)- SS- Oneil Cruz
(3)- C- Henry Davis
(4)-SP- Quinn Priester
(5)- SP-Roansy Contreras
(6)-SS- Liover Peguero
(7)-UTL-Tucupita Marcano
(8)-SP-Carmen Mlodzinski
(9)- SP/OF-Bubba Chandler
(10)-OF-Hudson Head
Just on the Outside
SP-Eddy Yean
OF-Travis Swaggerty- Out for year
OF- Matthew Fraizer
1B-Mason Martin
OF-Cal Mitchell