Today we take a look at the Pirates Minor League Affiliates and how they are doing at this point of the season. As of last night, every Pirates affiliate has played at least one game and some are already in the second half of their seasons.
AAA: Indianapolis Indians50-26 Overall (1st in International League West Division)
Last Game: Lost 7-5 vs. Charlotte (LP: James McDonald)
Last 10 Games: 6-4
The Indianapolis Indians are currently the top team in the International League. Their 50-26 record is impressive, but the fact that the next closest team in their division, the Louisville Bats, are 12.5 games back shows how dominant they have been this season. Matt Hague leads the team with 44 RBI and 83 hits, including 22 doubles (tied for the league lead) and six home runs. Ivan De Jesus has been impressive this season. In 53 games, De Jesus has a .325 average with 3 home runs and 20 RBI. Felix Pie, who the Pirates picked up in the offseason, is second in the league with 46 stolen bases. He trails only Louisville's Billy Hamilton who has 46 last year and had 155 last year. On the mound, the Indians are led by Andy Oliver who leads the team in strikeouts (86-Leads League) and Innings Pitched (75.2). Kris Johnson leads the starters in wins with six and also has the best ERA for a starter (2.82). When the game reaches the later innings, the Bullpen has been solid with nine different pitchers recording saves, including Vic Black who has a team leading 11 saves. If the Indians are able to keep up their successful season, they should easily match or beat last years 89-55 record. Hopefully they can make it further into the playoffs this year.
AA: Altoona Curve33-38 (6th in Eastern League Western Division)
Last Game: Lost 7-5 at Bowie (LP: Nick Kingham)
Last 10 Games: 8-2
The Altoona Curve are having the most success they have had all season. Prior to last night's game against Bowie, the Curve had won eight straight. The Curve will need more winning streaks like this one as they currently sit in last place in the Eastern League's Western Division, six games behind the division leading Harrisburg Senators and five games behind the second place Erie SeaWolves. Catcher Charlie Cutler leads the team with a .319 batting average. Andrew Lambo was recently called up by Indianapolis, so the title of offensive leaders now shifts to Jarek Cunningham and Alex Dickerson. Cunningham has a team leafing 14 home runs and his 25 RBI rank second on the team behind Dickerson (28). CF Mel Rojas leads the team with 65 hits, while Adalberto Santos has been quickest on the basepaths with 10 stolen bases. On the pitching side of the roster, Casey Sadler leads the team in wins (7), Innings Pitched (94.0), and Games Started (15). As the game heads into the later innings look for Luis Angel Sanz to come in and shut the door. Sanz was shaky earlier in the season giving up six, four, and three runs in consecutive appearances. In five of his past six appearances, Sanz has given up zero earned runs. It will be interesting to see if he improves as the season rolls on. The injuries that have affected the Pirates this season have impacted the Curve roster. They have made the best of it and if they can string some wins together, this team has a chance to climb the Eastern League leaderboard.
High-A: Bradenton Marauders26-42 (First Half: 6th in the Florida State League South Division) 1-1 (Second Half)
Last Game: Lost 4-0 vs. Port Charlotte Stone Crabs
Last 10 Games: 3-7
As the second half begins for the Bradenton Marauders, they have to hope for more success than in the first half. The Marauders finished 16 games under .500 in the first half, 19.5 games behind first-half division winner Fort Myers. The Marauders offense is led by Alex Hanson, who leads the team in hits (76), Batting Average (.295) and Runs Scored (38). Left Fielder Willy Garcia leads the team with eight home runs and Second Baseman Dan Gamache leads with 29 RBI. Since Nick Kingham was called up to Altoona, no current Marauders pitcher has more than three wins or three saves this season. Robert Kilcrease has made 21 appearances this season and has a current team best 1.65 ERA. The Marauders have a lot of work to do and will need to improve their 9-26 road record this season. They have a chance to right the ship with an upcoming six game road trip.
Low-A: West Virginia Power37-33 (First Half: 3rd in the South Atlantic League Northern Division)
1-1 (Second Half)
Last Game: Won 11-7 vs. Lakewood
Last 10 Games: 5-5
The Power have begun the second half of their South Atlantic League season after finishing in third place in the first half. Prior to being called up to Bradenton, Stetson Allie was leading the team in HR (17), RBI (61), and Hits (79). While Allie led the charge, infielders Dilson Herrera and Eric Wood have been effective this season. Keep an eye on Barrett Barnes, who was drafted by the Pirates in 2012. In 20 games this season for the Power, Barnes has 2 HR and 11 RBI. He is currently hitting .330 and has hits in four of his last five games. Orlando Castro leads the Power pitching staff with a 7-4 record and 1.93 ERA. Tyler Glasnow (3-1. 2.83 ERA) and Pat Ludwig (5-0, 2.64 ERA) have also been effective for the Power this season. The Power finished just 3.5 games out of first place in the Northern Division, but it will be challenging in the second half of the season without Allie. If players like Herrera and Wood are able to step up, the Power have a good chance to make a run at the second half title.
Short Season A: Jamestown Jammers4-1 (Tied for 1st in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division
Last Game: Won 8-3 vs. Williamsport
The Jamestown Jammers are almost a week into the New York-Penn League Season and they currently sit in first place tied with the State College Spikes. This is interesting because the Spikes were the Pirates affiliate until this season when they became the affiliate of the Cardinals. While it is hard to judge the Jammers players with only five games under their belts, there are some players who have been successful so far. Danny Collins and Ji-De Jhang lead the league with three home runs and Jhang leads the league with 7 RBI. None of the Jammers starters have taken a loss this season and Cesar Lopez has the lone save for the Jammers this season. The true colors of this team will begin to show once they get into a few weeks of the season.
I will not be taking a look at the GCL Pirates or the DSL Pirates 1&2 teams because they are only two games into the season. For information on them and all the teams click here.
- The Flood City Sports Fan
