WILLY GARCIA NEWS

Meija Strikes Out Six In Rehab Start But St. Lucie Loses 5-4

Bradenton 5, St. Lucie 4 Willy Garcia drilled a bases loaded walk-off single to right off of reliever T.J. Chism as the host Bradenton Marauders defeated the Mets 5-4 on Friday. Jenrry Mejia allowed two runs and five hits over three innings with three walks and six strikeouts in his first start on a major league rehab assignment with St. Lucie. Mejia had originally been scheduled...
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1 day ago  |  Discuss

Prospect Watch: Cole and Pimentel Have Good Starts, Lambo and Garcia Homer

TOP OF THE SYSTEM A look at how the current top 20 prospects did today.  Note that this list doesn’t include players currently in the majors. If a player is in the majors, he will be removed, everyone below him will be shifted up a spot, and a new player will be added to the bottom of the list. Rankings are from the pre-season rankings, and links to each prospect writeup can be...
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14 days ago  |  Discuss

Prospect Trends: Some Turnarounds and Some Struggling Altoona Hitters

Nick Kingham fanned 26 in his last 17 innings. A month into the minor league season, things are starting to take shape with the Pirates’ full-season affiliates.  With a deep roster and very talented pitching staff, Indianapolis is dominating the International League with a 20-7 record.  By contrast, Altoona is increasingly struggling despite a good rotation led by Jameson Taillon...
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17 days ago  |  Discuss

Former Pirates Draft Pick Leads Brewers Affiliate in One Hitter Over Marauders

Eliecer Navarro gave up one run in six innings, striking out nine, but was out-dueled by Drew Gagnon. The struggles against the Milwaukee Brewers aren’t just for the major league level. On Wednesday the Bradenton Marauders, the high-A affiliate for the Pirates, went up against the Brevard County Manatees, the high-A affiliate for the Milwaukee Brewers. The Manatees had Drew Gagnon...
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18 days ago  |  Discuss

Bradenton Marauders Riding a Wave of Walk Off Victories

Alen Hanson, pictured bunting earlier in the game, picked up four hits including the walk off double. The Bradenton Marauders have now had three straight walk off victories. On Friday night, Alen Hanson came up in the bottom of the ninth inning with one runner on and the score tied at 5-5. Hanson had given up two errors in the top of the ninth inning, which cost Bradenton a two run...
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28 days ago  |  Discuss

The Marauders Defense Has Been Pretty Offensive So Far

Alen Hanson has six errors so far this season. The Bradenton Marauders have a lot of offensive talent. They feature Alen Hanson and Gregory Polanco, the two biggest breakout players from last season. They’ve got Jose Osuna and Willy Garcia, guys who have just as much talent as Hanson and Polanco, but didn’t put up the ridiculous numbers. Dan Gamache was a sixth round pick who...
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April 13, 2013  |  Discuss

Lower Minors: Plawecki Smacks Two More Doubles, DeGrom Ks 7, Taijeron Rips Erupts With Four Hits

St. Lucie 6, Bradenton 5 Jacob DeGrom started the game strong for St. Lucie by retiring the first eight batters that he faced, but he ran into trouble in the fourth inning.  DeGrom gave up three runs off four hits in the frame. He then gave up a home run to Willy Garcia in the sixth that put St. Lucie behind 4-3. However, the Mets were able to retake the lead due to some sloppy...
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April 13, 2013  |  Discuss

Lower Minors: Plawecki Is A Doubles Machine, DeGrom So-So, Taijeron With 4 Hits

St. Lucie 6, Bradenton Marauders 5 by Vinny B. Jacob DeGrom started the game strong for St. Lucie by retiring the first eight batters that he faced, but he ran into trouble in the fourth inning.  DeGrom gave up three runs off four hits in the frame. He then gave up a home run to Willy Garcia in the sixth that put St. Lucie behind 4-3. However, the Mets were able to retake the...
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April 13, 2013  |  Discuss

Nick Kingham Gets Too Comfortable With His Fastball In Marauders Loss

Nick Kingham got too comfortable throwing his fastball tonight. Nick Kingham got off to a good start early in his high-A debut. He retired his first nine batters in order, getting three strikeouts in the process. Kingham was in total command, allowing only one ball to leave the infield, and getting a lot of ground ball outs. Then the right-hander ran into trouble in the fourth inning...
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April 05, 2013  |  Discuss

2013 Bradenton Marauders Season Preview

The 2013 minor league season begins on Thursday. In the days leading up to the opener, I will be previewing the full season affiliates of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Here is a look at the 2013 Bradenton Marauders, who will feature 2012 breakout prospects Alen Hanson and Gregory Polanco on their Opening Day roster. Lineup C – Jacob Stallings 1B – Jose Osuna 2B – Dan Gamache SS –...
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April 03, 2013  |  Discuss

Prospect Notebook: Good Pitching in the Class A Games

Rodriguez allowed no earned runs and fanned four over four innings The Pirates played host to the Yankees’ class A teams at Pirate City today, in games dominated by the pitching.  Outside of a first inning outburst by the Pirates’ high A squad, there was little offense. The low A game finished in a 1-1 tie, as Joely Rodriguez put together a strong start.  He allowed just one...
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March 23, 2013  |  Discuss

MLB Top Twenty Pirates Prospects

Another Pirates prospect ranking has been posted today. MLB.com has posted their list of the top twenty prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, complete with scouting reports on each player. The top of the system ranks similar to almost every other list we’ve seen, although the order from third through six differ slightly. Gerrit Cole sits in the top spot, followed by Jameson...
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February 06, 2013  |  Discuss

Winter Leagues Recap: Playoff and WBC Notes

In Australian Baseball League action from today, Stefan Welch went 1-for-4, with two RBI’s, as Adelaide was handed an 8-2 loss. Hours before the game started, Welch was named to the provisional roster of the Australian team that will represent the country in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He now has 24 RBI’s on the ABL season, tops among all Adelaide players. Welch was named...
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January 18, 2013  |  Discuss

First Pitch: The Minor Leagues Exist For a Reason

The Pirates are often criticized for having a slow approach at promoting prospects through the levels. That’s not accurate criticism. There are plenty of examples where they’ve made aggressive promotions. The decision to send Alen Hanson, Gregory Polanco, Willy Garcia, and Jose Osuna to West Virginia this year was aggressive. Sending Luis Heredia to the GCL at the age of 16,...
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December 12, 2012  |  Discuss

Winter Leagues Update: Howard Wins Player of the Week

Justin Howard has been named the Player of the Week by the Australian Baseball League for his performance during his team’s four-game sweep last week against Melbourne. Howard went 9-for-14, with three walks, six runs scored and four RBI’s. He finished the week with two three-hit games. Howard started the year off very slow, but has pushed his totals to respectable levels, now...
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December 11, 2012  |  Discuss

Winter Leagues Recap: Two Hits for Marte, Garcia’s Debut

In a light day of Winter League action yesterday, Starling Marte went 2-for-4, with two singles and a run scored.  He now has a .320/.394/.485 line in 25 games. Marte started the season off showing improved plate patience, but has hit a wall the last eight games. After having 11 walks through just 17 games, Marte has failed to draw a walk in his last eight games, striking out six...
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December 04, 2012  |  Discuss

West Virginia Power 2012 Season Recap: Top Prospects

Complete West Virginia Coverage The Hitters The Pitchers Top Prospects 1t. Alen Hanson, SS 1t. Gregory Polanco, OF I had a tough time picking the top prospect from this pair. In a tiered ranking system, they’d both be in the same group. When it comes to picking between them, it’s splitting hairs. Offensively, the difference is minimal. Polanco was more consistent this year, and...
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September 12, 2012  |  Discuss

West Virginia Power 2012 Season Recap: Hitters

Heading in to the season I had the West Virginia Power as the team to watch in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system, due to Josh Bell and the international talent that would be there. That international talent, led by Alen Hanson and Gregory Polanco, ended up making West Virginia a team to watch, not just in the system, but in all of minor league baseball. Below are the stats from...
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September 12, 2012  |  Discuss

State College Spikes 2012 Season Recap: Hitters

The Spikes didn’t have many standout young hitting prospects. Most of the younger prospects skipped over State College this year and went directly to West Virginia. Alen Hanson, Gregory Polanco, Jose Osuna, and Willy Garcia all played in the GCL last year, and a few of them stopped briefly in State College at the end of the year before moving on to West Virginia this season. Below...
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September 09, 2012  |  Discuss

Minor League Schedule: 9/7/12

Indianapolis lost game two of their playoff series against Charlotte last night, putting them down 2-0 in the best-of-five series. The two teams now switch locations to Charlotte for the rest of the series. Indianapolis will go with Phil Irwin, to try to stave off elimination. The DSL Pirates won their championship yesterday, giving the Pirates another minor league title this year...
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September 07, 2012  |  Discuss

Minor League Schedule: 9/5/12

Luis Heredia is on the mound tonight for State College, getting the last regular season start for the entire Pirates minor league system. Indianapolis begins their playoffs tonight against Charlotte. The first two games will be played in Indianapolis, while the third game will be played in Charlotte. If necessary, the fourth and fifth games will also be played in Charlotte. The...
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September 05, 2012  |  Discuss

Prospect Watch: Garcia Homers Twice; Holt’s Hitting Streak at Nine Games

TOP OF THE SYSTEM A look at how the current top 20 prospects did today.  Note that this list doesn’t include players currently in the majors. Rankings are from the post trade deadline update. 1. Gerrit Cole, RHP, Altoona (3-5, 3.19) - DNP 2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Altoona (0-0, 0.00) - DNP 3. Luis Heredia, RHP, State College (2-1, 2.28) - DNP 4. Alen Hanson, SS, West Virginia...
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August 20, 2012  |  Discuss

Prospect Watch: McPherson Has Another Good Start in AAA; Garcia Hits 16th Homer

TOP OF THE SYSTEM A look at how the current top 20 prospects did today.  Note that this list doesn’t include players currently in the majors. Rankings are from the post trade deadline update. 1. Gerrit Cole, RHP, Altoona (3-4, 3.43) - DNP 2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Bradenton (6-7, 3.91) - DNP 3. Luis Heredia, RHP, State College (2-1, 2.28) - DNP 4. Alen Hanson, SS, West Virginia...
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August 15, 2012  |  Discuss

Hanson Returns, Kingham Leaves Early for West Virginia

Alen Hanson returned from his injury sustain last Friday for West Virginia on Tuesday. Hanson was the Power’s designated hitter, going 0-for-2 with a walk in a 4-3 loss to Greensboro. Gregory Polanco was still missing from the lineup after also going down with injury last Friday. Manager Rick Sofield said he expects Polanco to be out at least another week and that he had his foot...
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August 15, 2012  |  Discuss

Matt Curry and Dan Gamache Were the Top Hitters in the System Last Week

Below are the top Runs Created* totals in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system from the last week. The rankings include every hitter who had an at-bat for a Pirates’ minor league affiliate, not including DSL teams, and with no limitations on whether the hitter has prospect eligibility. *Runs Created is a stat created by Bill James used to estimate how many runs an individual contributes...
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August 13, 2012  |  Discuss
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