A quick programming note.  I plan to normally do these on Sundays, but I’m going to Altoona tomorrow afternoon to see Steven Strasburg’s pro debut, and I don;t think I’ll have time to do it once I get back to Pittsburgh, so I figured I’d just do it tonight.  Normally, expect this to be posted on Sunday evening’s once all the minor league affiliates have finished play for the day.

LowA – West Virginia

3B – Jarek Cunningham:  5/12, 1 2B, 3K

OF – Evan Chambers: 0/8, 4BB, 3K

SP – Nathan Baker: 4.0 IP, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

There aren’t a lot of real prospects at this level.  These stats pretty much speak for themselves.  The 7 Ks from Baker are nice, as are the hits from Cunningham.  By the way, in future weeks I’m going to try to include stats for both this week and cumulative for the season.  Since its only week 1, that’s not necesary at this point.

HighA – Bradenton

OF – Robbie Grossman: 6/12, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 BB

C – Tony Sanchez: 4/11, 2 2B, 2 BB, 1 K

OF – Starling Marte: 4/11, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 BB, 3 K

1B – Calvin Anderson: 3/10, 3 BB, 5 K

SP – Bryan Morris: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 5 K

SP – Jeff Locke: 4.2 IP, 4 H 2 R, 2 ER, 4 K

Lots of legit prospects here, including 2 I didn’t mention in 2B Gift Ngoepe and P Aaron Pribanic.  Last years top pick Sanchez is slated to move quickly, so don’t expect him to stay in Bradenton long, especially if he keeps hitting.  One of the big knocks you hear on Starling Marte is that he is a free swinger, so the strikeouts are a bit concerning, but one can hope that will improve with time.  Also worth pointing out that Pirates brass seems high on Morris based on what he did this Spring, and his start this week did nothing to contradict that.

AA – Altoona

CF – Gorkys Hernandez: 3/11, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 SB

SS – Chase D’Arnaud: 3/12, 2 2B, 3 K

SP – Tim Alderson: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K

RP – Danny Moskos: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K

I really like D’Arnaud and Alderson was the big prize in the Sanchez trade last year.  It would be nice to see Moskos start to capitalize on some of his talent and become a valuable late inning relief pitcher, just so passing on Matt Wieters doesn’t end up being a total waste.

AAA – Indianapolis

OF – Brandon Jones: 3/8, 2 2B, 3 K

OF – Jose Tabata: 5/15, 2 2B, 3 K, 2 SB

3B – Pedro Alvarez: 3/13, 3 HR, 3 BB, 4 K

SP – Brad Lincoln: 3.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 3 HR,1 BB, 4 K

SP – Donnie Veal: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

This team is absolutely loaded.  Kevin Hart, Argenis Diaz, Brandon Moss, etc. are also on this team.  If Pedro keeps hitting like this, he’ll be up in Pittsburgh very soon.  Lincoln struggled mightily in his debut, but I don’t wanna read too much into one start.

Tags: Bran Lincoln, Chase D'Arnaud, Minor League Roundup, Pedro Alvarez, Starling Marte