Jarek Cunningham to Start at Class A+ Bradenton

Via. Cunningham, you'll recall, had a great debut in rookie ball in 2008 before tearing his ACL and missing all of 2009. Class A+ is an extremely aggressive assignment for a player who hasn't yet played above the lowest level of rookie ball; the Pirates must love this kid.

almost 2 years ago Charlie Wilmoth 16 comments 0 recs |

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Cool.

Here’s hoping he rises to the challenge.

by Vlad on Mar 3, 2010 4:49 PM EST reply actions

Cool!

I am hoping for a break out season!

by Slick1 on Mar 3, 2010 5:01 PM EST reply actions

Would be awesome if he were the real deal.

by MarkInDallas on Mar 3, 2010 5:09 PM EST reply actions

When I saw that Cunningham was one of the models for the Bradenton jerseys, I hoped that this would be in the works. It’s good to see that he’s keeping up with his “born in 1989/2008 HS draft” peers in Quinton Miller and Robbie Grossman. Bradenton could have a really interesting starting lineup:

C – Tony Sanchez
1B – Cal Anderson or Kyle Morgan
2B – ??
SS – Jarek Cunningham (or 2B)
3B – Jesus Brito or Jeremy Farrell
OF – Quincy Latimore, Starling Marte, Robbie Grossman

by Traco Bucco on Mar 3, 2010 6:32 PM EST reply actions

i assume

Harrison would be in the starting mix too, and possibly Mercer, at least to start the year

by BurgherKing on Mar 3, 2010 6:52 PM EST up reply actions

Harrison and Mercer

Are ticketed to Altoona this season.

by BadAndy on Mar 3, 2010 7:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

was there a report on it?

I assumed there was a possibility both might start the year in high A given their years didnt go quite as smoothly as the FO would have liked

by BurgherKing on Mar 3, 2010 8:50 PM EST up reply actions

They’ve said Mercer will be at Altoona. I don’t think Harrison will, I think he’ll be playing third at Bradenton. Farrell was pretty bad last year, offensively and defensively. If he’s at Bradenton, he may be more of a UT player and DH.

by WTM on Mar 3, 2010 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

I hadn’t heard about Mercer being moved up to Altoona. That’s going to be a crowded middle infield. Are they moving Mercer off SS or is he going to split time with D’Arnaud?

by epoc on Mar 3, 2010 10:51 PM EST up reply actions

At Lynchburg over the last couple months last year, they alternated Mercer between short and third, Harrison between third and second, and D’Arnaud between second and short. I imagine they’ll do something like that at Altoona. Negrych and/or Ford is likely to be there, too.

by WTM on Mar 3, 2010 11:16 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks.

Has anyone explained why they’re splitting D’Arnaud between second and short? Do they not think he’ll stick at short?

by epoc on Mar 3, 2010 11:26 PM EST up reply actions

Keeping options open, I imagine.

by WTM on Mar 3, 2010 11:38 PM EST up reply actions

I’m not sure I like that. I’d want my top prospects at key defensive positions to be getting as much work there as possible. It’s not like you’re closing the door on a move to second base by not letting a guy play there at age 23 in AA. Probably not a huge deal, though.

by epoc on Mar 4, 2010 12:13 AM EST up reply actions

As you pointed out...

there is a logjam. The Pirates still think highly of Mercer which is why they haven’t moved him off short completely. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him breakout next season offensively then all of the sudden he and D’Arnaud are neck and neck on the prospect list. I think it’s a good strategy not to put all of your eggs in one basket and increase everyone’s versatility.

by Slick1 on Mar 4, 2010 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

The top 100 prospects list should be looking mighty fine in two years.

by ryebr3ad on Mar 3, 2010 10:03 PM EST reply actions

Let's hope so

We’re going to learn a lot this year. So many of our prospects don’t have a body of work in the pros yet. I’m really looking forward to checking out the minor league box scores and DK’s minor league report each night.

by biggyv on Mar 3, 2010 10:47 PM EST up reply actions