Pirates top prospects of the week
Here’s a look at the top performances of the past week by Pirates prospects in the Minor Leagues:
The regular season ended on Sept. 2 and no Pirates affiliates qualified for the playoffs.
Monday, Sept. 2: Kramer collects three base hits
Kevin Kramer went 3-for-5 on Monday with three singles, giving him his first three-hit game since June 25. The Pirates’ No. 9 prospect has hit .260 with 10 home runs and a .752 OPS this season with Triple-A Indianapolis. Kramer saw his power numbers regress slightly in 2019, with his home runs dropping from 15 to 10 and slugging percentage falling from .492 to .417 in Triple-A. The Pirates moved Kramer all over the diamond in 2019 with Indianapolis, with starts at all four infield positions and both corner outfields, but second base (50 starts) was his primary spot. Monday's prospect stats »
Sunday, Sept. 1: Craig goes yard
No. 10 prospect Will Craig extended his career-high home run total to 23 on Sunday via a solo shot in Triple-A Indianapolis’ loss against Louisville. The 24-year-old first baseman finished the game 1-for-3 with a walk and is now batting .247/.325/.434 on the season through 130 games. Last year, in his breakout campaign in Double-A, Craig batted .248/.321/.448 in 132 games.
Saturday, Aug. 31: Hayes bounces back at the plate
After having his seven-game hit streak snapped via an 0-for-3 showing on Friday, Ke’Bryan Hayes was back at it Saturday with his sixth multihit performance in nine games for Triple-A Indianapolis. The Pirates’ No. 2 prospect reached base three times in the Indians’ loss against Columbus, going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a walk. The 22-year-old third baseman’s final month of the regular season was also his best, as Hayes finished August with a .327/.379/.452 line with 34 hits (7 XBH) and 15 RBIs in 28 games. Saturday's prospect stats »
Friday, Aug. 30: Craig homers for Indianapolis
Will Craig’s two-run home run in the seventh inning accounted for both of Triple-A Indianapolis’ runs and half of the team’s hits in a loss against Columbus. The Pirates’ No. 10 prospect struck out in his other two at-bats to finish 1-for-3. The former first-round pick (2016) has hit a career-high 22 homers this season in his Triple-A debut after going deep 20 times last season during a breakout campaign in Double-A. With that power comes some swing-and-miss tendencies, however, as Craig’s now fanned a career-high 144 times while posting a sub-.250 average for a second straight year. Friday's prospect stats »
Thursday, Aug. 29: Martin knocks in three with a pair of doubles
Known more for his above-average power potential, Mason Martin has flexed his hit tool with Class A Advanced Bradenton. With two doubles for the Marauders on Thursday, the club’s No. 19 prospect has four multihit efforts in his past nine games. Though it’s hard to match the 23 homers and .932 OPS in 82 games at Class A Greensboro, the first base prospect is holding his own at the next step up the ladder, notching an .862 OPS in 49 games. He also holds a Minor League-best 129 RBIs this year -- the most in a season since 2014 (Marquez Smith, 131). Thursday's prospect stats »
Wednesday, Aug. 28: Mitchell homers, drives in two
Cal Mitchell hit his 15th homer of the year as part of a 2-for-5 night with Class A Advanced Bradenton. The PIrates’ No. 5 prospect has slumped in August, hitting just .205 this month, but is batting .251 overall through 118 games in his first taste of the Class A Advanced level. Wednesday's prospect stats »
Tuesday, Aug. 27: Siani matches career best with three hits
Sammy Siani, whom the Pirates took with the 37th pick in this year’s Draft, matched his career high with three hits as part of a 3-for-4 performance in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. The 18-year-old is hitting .246 through the first 38 games of his professional career. Siani has a smooth left-handed swing and has shown an ability to make consistent contact. Tuesday's prospect stats »