Minor League Action (5-15-10)

by Slick1 on May 15, 2010 7:24 PM EDT

With the Pirates playing an early game today I thought I'd post a thread for anyone following today's minor league games.

Starting pitchers for today are as follows: Strickland going for WV, Morris for Bradenton, Hughes for Altoona and McCutchen for Indy. Indy is facing a familiar face in Phil Dumatrait. Should be a good test for Pedro Alvarez as proving he can hit lefties will get him one step closer to Pittsburgh.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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So far...

Hughes has thrown 2 shutout innings lowering his ERA to 3.35. DMac has given up 3ER after one. Hunter Strickland has given up 2 runs after two (1 ER) and Morris has thrown a pitch yet.

by Slick1 on May 15, 2010 7:27 PM EDT reply actions

Where does Hughes fall on the prospect scale?

Pretty low? Nice K/BB ratio so far (26:8), although I think he is 25 years old, so he’s got to get going.

by CabreraKilledMyChildhood on May 15, 2010 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Besides one start where he gave up 8 runs....

He hasn’t given up more than 2 in any of his other 7 starts. Not bad…

by CabreraKilledMyChildhood on May 15, 2010 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Very low on the prospect scale, yes.

by Charlie Wilmoth on May 15, 2010 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

So was Crotta to start the year...

but that may be changing with his recent peformances. Those two are very similar in IIRC.

by Slick1 on May 15, 2010 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd pretty much given him up for dead.

But he may be worth tracking as a pen candidate or back-of-the-rotation guy, if he can keep it up.

by Vlad on May 16, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Tabata has a double and Pedro...

that’s right, has struck out. Indy already down 5-0.

by Slick1 on May 15, 2010 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Pedro

Didn’t he just hit a bomb off lefty pitching last night?

That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!

by Sir Bob Errey on May 15, 2010 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes he did...

by CabreraKilledMyChildhood on May 15, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Pedro just tripled off the wall, it appears (Left-Center)....

Off of Dumatrait, as well.

by CabreraKilledMyChildhood on May 15, 2010 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Atta boy Pedro, keep it coming!

That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!

by Sir Bob Errey on May 15, 2010 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Shelby Ford trying to regain prospect status...

Homers from both sides of the plate tonight. 3-4 on the game with 5 RBI.

by Slick1 on May 15, 2010 8:55 PM EDT reply actions

I’ve seen two Curve (Curves?) switch-hit homers against Richmond this year. Hector Gimenez did it in a game a couple of weeks ago.

by Traco Bucco on May 16, 2010 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Bryon Morris...

4 IP, 0ER, 4K’s, 3H, 2BB. How long has it been since he has given up an ER? No jinx, no jinx, no jinx!

by Slick1 on May 15, 2010 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

33 and counting

by BadAndy on May 15, 2010 9:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Pulled after 4 innings tonight...

Not injury related is it?

by goodtymes31 on May 15, 2010 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Just posted that.

Trying to find out more info.

by Slick1 on May 15, 2010 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Hughes...

out after 7 IP. 1 ER and 4H. Nice outing.

by Slick1 on May 15, 2010 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

in line to get his 7th win this year

And its only May 15th. That is good on ANY level

What the hell send him to Indy.

by BadAndy on May 15, 2010 9:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

A couple more starts like this one and I suspect he will be promoted.

He’s not young so it’s time to let him sink or swim like they are doing with Crotta.

by Slick1 on May 15, 2010 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s leading the minors in wins now I believe. Morris leading the minors in ERA

by Mr. E on May 15, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Not good news...

Morris was pulled after 4 IP. He had 4 K’s 3 H and 2 BB with 0 ER so I can only suspect that he was hurt. Hopefully nothing serious. The optimist in me says he was pulled because he is being promoted…I can only hope.

by Slick1 on May 15, 2010 9:23 PM EDT reply actions

3 things

1. Could be promoted
2. Pulled some muscle
3. They are starting to put a leash on IP

At the current pace he’s on he will double or even triple the innings pitched from last year which would go against Stark’s development plan

by BadAndy on May 15, 2010 9:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Definitely an innings thing.....

He has already pitched 40 this year and hasn’t thrown 100 any season yet. I imagine he gets moved up this week.

by David Todd on May 15, 2010 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Remarkable stat of the night:

Aki Iwamura has the lowest BABIP (.188) of any regular player in the National League.

by CabreraKilledMyChildhood on May 15, 2010 9:29 PM EDT reply actions

You'd think that would normalize

Unless you were actually watching him bat.

by Schide on May 15, 2010 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Precisely....

That is what I am wrestling with – objective evidence versus my own eyes.

by CabreraKilledMyChildhood on May 15, 2010 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I think....

Schide’s point was your eyes tell you that it isn’t likely to normalize the way he is hitting the ball. Couldn’t get a bunt down today and grounds into a DP. One hit in last 42 at bats. Unbelievable.

by David Todd on May 15, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

You can only assume normalization...

…for guys who have ML-caliber skills. If the injury is hampering him significantly, he may not at this point.

by Vlad on May 16, 2010 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Shooter Hunt against Bradenton

2IP 2K’s 0 hits allowed 4ER 4 BBs lol

by Mr. E on May 15, 2010 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

NO MOCKERY, SIR!

See my mostly solo game thread — I had a lot of hopes for him today.

by tobynotjason on May 15, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

and also...

you missed the 2 HBPs and 3 WPs.

by tobynotjason on May 15, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

HA!

Still a funny line, and you shoulda dropped a note around here about blogging the Marauders.

by Mr. E on May 15, 2010 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I was going to, but then I drank beer and ate pizza rolls.

by tobynotjason on May 15, 2010 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Feel free to read the thread if you want to soak up my pathos.

by tobynotjason on May 15, 2010 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I did, but

I’m unfamiliar with the back story on Hunt

by Mr. E on May 15, 2010 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Number 1 pick

Started out at Elizabethton in Rookie Ball and was just silly dominant.

Take a look at his 2008 Elizabethton K rate and BB rate and GB rate for the 4 starts he had. So everybody got really excited. They promoted him to Class A Beloit and if I remember right his first start was pretty good, but then he started getting crazy wild.

2009: He was just TERRIBLE. Couldn’t hit the side of a barn bad. OBVIOUSLY it was at least significantly if not mostly mental. They shut him down in, like, May or June or something after trying him in the pen with no luck.

This year he comes out first outing, more of the same. THEN he sucks it up and goes on a crazy run of 9 outings in a row where he’s just a beast, leading up to a 8 BF, 1 flyout, 1 BB, 6 K in a row outing on May 10th. Thus I started to get really excited and listened to class A game on internet radio in hopes he’d pitch some extended relief. I am the jinx.

by tobynotjason on May 15, 2010 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe

he’s having nightmares of this guy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G52aaTFibHo&feature=related

Anyways, hope he turns it around for you guys.

by Mr. E on May 16, 2010 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeesh.

I had no idea he’d fallen so hard. Those are Jason Neighborgall numbers.

by Vlad on May 16, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

And prior to today's games...

DFL in the majors in batting average as well. Interestingly…the names just in front of him…Brendan Ryan…Aramis Ramirez and Nate McLouth (although Nate did go 2 for 4 today, which will move him out of that spot). Clement was just shy of having enough plate appearance to qualify in the “leaders”. His HR today still has him hitting on the interstate… .196.

by Thunder on May 15, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Moskos retires the side in the 9th on 5 pitches.

Time for him to test the AAA waters too.

by Slick1 on May 15, 2010 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

2nd Remarkable(Encouraging) stat of the night:

Ronny Cedeno, with a UZR of 4.7, trails only Chase Utley, Matt Holiday, and Michael Bourne in his defensive ‘value’, in terms of UZR.

Pretty f’n impressive for Ronny, and, makes his acquisition last year in the Wilson trade just another reason to love that trade. With the young pitchers (Pribanic/Adcock), plus Cedeno (starting SS), and even Clement (starting 1B), all for a guy who is on the DL and has been largely injured or ineffective….that is a pretty one-sided deal, especially considering that Ian Snell is either out of the rotation, or on his way out.

by CabreraKilledMyChildhood on May 15, 2010 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

Don't fall too far in love with UZR.

According to that stat…Garrett Jones is our best fielding outfielder right now. With Cutch and Milledge both having negative values at this time.

And…Nyjer Morgan is AHEAD of ONLY 3 regular NL OF in UZR this season, after leading the league last year. The only 3 behind him…Cryin’ Ryan Braun…Kemp and Ethier.

Sample size strikes again.

by Thunder on May 15, 2010 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions

It also compares you to the league average...

…and the average guy out in right field doesn’t have a ton of range, so it’s probably a little easier for the sample size thing to make a mess of things there.

by tobynotjason on May 15, 2010 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Cedeno is also 2nd in MLB among shortstops in plus/minus as well. And the 3rd best is not even close.

by MarkInDallas on May 16, 2010 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions

And I'll also say...

Cutch is -6 on plus/minus and Nyjer this year is -6 on plus/minus as well. So both of those coincide with the UZR ratings of those players.

by MarkInDallas on May 16, 2010 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions

It's definitely a small sample size...

…but encouraging at the same time.

by thegreatchris on May 15, 2010 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Danny Moskos

Look, I know the name can just make Pirate fans angry, about how he was taken over Wieters. And I think everyone has a right to be a bit upset over that. But just please, don’t hate the man himself. He’s become a really solid reliever and he’s another guy I think we should see in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later. He’s always had the velocity and the ’pen is already low on lefties, but I can see him becoming a very good set-up man or closer in the future.

Like Slick said, I think a promotion to AAA is in order for him. Aside from Morris, he’s about the next player in line in the entire system that deserves it the most.

That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!

by Sir Bob Errey on May 15, 2010 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

Moskos....

isn’t coming up this year unless Sept. Next year possible with both Taschner and Lopez on one year deals. Pen is in excellent shape. Moskos in AA for another month, then AAA.

by David Todd on May 15, 2010 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not saying he’ll get called up to the majors, but he should definitely see the last half of the season in AAA. The only reason I would promote him this year is if someone in the pen gets injured and we need a replacement, but other than that, he would do well to log some innings in AAA.

That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!

by Sir Bob Errey on May 15, 2010 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Moskos has been very efficient the three times that I’ve seen him pitch for Altoona this month. Tonight was three outs (two fly outs and a pop-up) in about five pitches. The previous game was two outs on four pitches to close out a Curve victory. He looks like he’s in a good groove.

by Traco Bucco on May 16, 2010 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions

If you know, did Alderson pitch from the stretch again last time out?

by tobynotjason on May 16, 2010 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I wasn’t able to go to the Curve-Squirrels game on Thursday night, so I can’t say. I know that Tim from BUCCO Fans was there, and he wrote a blog post about the game.

by Traco Bucco on May 16, 2010 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't hate the guy...

…but you do need to put an asterisk on his performance this year because he’s repeating the level, and another because he’s getting old for AA.

I do think that they should try to push him to AAA at some point this season.

by Vlad on May 16, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Morris pull

I’m a Twins fan and actually posted a game thread over on the sbnation Twinkitown page for the Bradenton/Miracle game because of my anticipation that former Twins no. 1 pick Shooter Hunt appeared to have turned a mental corner and, given the spot starter for the Miracle, might see extended action in looong relief. Indeed, that does seem to have been the plan, but he reverted to his Steve Blass impression and ruined that part of my fun.

Re: Morris. He threw a LOT of pitches in the four innings — at least that’s how it felt listening to it on the interradio. I wasn’t counting, but I have little concern about an injury given the amount of time he was out there and the amount of time the top of the 5th inning took (he probably sat 25 minutes, so any thought of sending him back out probably disappeared along with Msr. Hunt’s control.)

FWIW, obviously, but I wouldn’t worry.

by tobynotjason on May 15, 2010 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks Jason!

by azibuck on May 15, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Toby not jason.

by tobynotjason on May 15, 2010 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the update

Pirate pitchers have strict guidelines so if he hit like 25 or 30 pitches in 1 inning the coaches are required to take him out. Maybe that is what happened.

by Mr. E on May 15, 2010 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Believe it.

At the time I immediately thought “this must be the post-surgery limits” but also thought “this is lame, he’s a professional pitcher, let him throw 5.” Let’s see: 19 batters faced, so you gotta figure with the two walks and 4 Ks he threw at LEAST 70 pitches if not 80-85.

The radio guy (admittedly paying more attention to the Ft Myers side of things) didn’t so much as hint at a problem.

by tobynotjason on May 15, 2010 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Jared Hughes

I get that he’s old, but when will teams realize that GB inducing pitchers (who can continue to induce GBs, that is) will be MORE valuable in the majors than in the minors given the superior defense behind him. Whether that’s a real skill for him is up for debate since it wasn’t really there last year, but he’s still 24 and had a 3.18 FIP as a 23 year old in AA last season. I’d get him in AAA ASAP and see what they have. It’s not like the Indy rotation is stacked with guys who really need to be getting those starts to assist with their development.

by tobynotjason on May 15, 2010 11:14 PM EDT reply actions