Fourth overall pick in 2009 has moved up two levels since signing in June
By Matthew Stucko / Special to MLB.com
After the Pittsburgh Pirates made him the No. 4 overall pick in the June 2009 First-Year Player Draft, catcher Tony Sanchez quickly launched into a stellar professional debut.
The 21-year-old was promoted to Class A Advanced Lynchburg last Saturday to help the Hillcats’ playoff run. It was his third stop in a rapid climb up the organizational ladder that began in June.
2007 Pirate first round pick Moskos will be taking the field for the Scottsdale Scorpians.
FanGraphs painted this less than flattering picture of Mosko’s minor league experience to date:
Daniel Moskos | LHP | Pittsburgh
The Scottsdale squad does not feature many truly interesting pitching names, although Moskos does stand out as a former No. 1 draft pick of the Pirates. The left-hander has had a disappointing pro career to this point, although you may enjoy the 3.84 ERA in double-A… but the ground-ball rate of 54.3% is more impressive. Moskos has been too hittable but with a better defense behind him, he should have a little better luck. The strikeout rate in the past three years has plummeted, which is troubling (9.24 to 6.36 to 4.20 K/9).
Guy Cipriano
UNIVERSITY PARK — Arguably the players the St. Louis Cardinals sent here in 2006 are the most important in State College’s brief tenure as a minor-league city.
The ‘06 Spikes, after all, received a rare opportunity to introduce professional baseball to a new and inquisitive market.
The introduction process continues this summer as players from that inaugural team creep toward becoming big-league regulars.
Four ‘06 Spikes — pitchers Jason Motte, Luke Gregerson and P.J. Walters, and infielder Brendan Ryan — have appeared in major-league games this season. Ryan’s spot in Spikes’ lore was short because he spent three weeks here on a Double-A rehabilitation assignment. Ryan is hitting .293 in 66 games as a shortstop for the Cardinals this season.
via First Spikes climb Cardinals’ ladder | Penn State News | Sports – Centre Daily Times.
Guy Cipriano
ALTOONA — A 15-minute stretch this past week demonstrated why the 2009 version of Miles Durham looks nothing like the player who once played for the State College Spikes.
It started in the bottom of the fifth with Durham one-hopping a two-strike pitch off the left-field wall for a three-run double. Durham didn’t stay on the bases long, scoring from second when a center fielder slid after catching a fly ball.
Once his team finished hitting, Durham donned a first baseman’s mitt and made a diving, hit-saving play in the top of the sixth.
But the biggest surprise last Thursday, might have been Durham’s presence in the Double- A game. Durham was playing for the Altoona Curve against the Erie Seawolves at Blair County Ballpark.
Even the most educated Spikes fans retain foggy memories of Durham. Fewer expected to see him climb the ranks into a Curve uniform.
via It’s no bull: Ex-Spike Durham turns Curve | Penn State News | Sports – Centre Daily Times.
With the almost daily signing of new players there’s lots of roster shuffling going on in the Pirate organization. Several former Spikes have just received new assignments.
2007 Spike players outfielder Miles Durham and pitcher Dustin Molleken have been promoted from Lynchburg to AA Altoona. 2008 Spike Chase D’Arnaud jumped from Low-A West Virginia to Lynchburg.
Catchers:
Infielders:
Outfielders:
Pitchers:
UncleLar Take:
As the son of former major league manager Jim Tracy, coaching is in the blood of Brian Tracy. Here’s wishing him well as he embark’s on his new career.
