Minor League Ball Gameday: Friday, March 28

Hello gents. Sorry for the absence of Gameday action yesterday, but fear not, Its back! Before we get to the action, lets take a look at the two new contract extensions in the MLB.

• OF Starling Marte of the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a six-year, $31 Million deal with two club options valued at an additional $26M ($12.5M in 2020 and $13.5M in 2021) as well as a $2M buyout. The contract could keep Marte in the Steel City until his age 31 season.
• 3B Miguel Cabrera, aka the best hitter on the planet, inked an eight-year extension with the Detroit Tigers for a cool $248M. This contract will be tacked on to the existing two-years and $44M he is owed from his 2008 extension. There are also vesting options for 2024 and 2025, valued at $30M each. The deal could end up reaching a grand total of $308M of new money over ten years, and combined with the two seasons he was already under contract for, the Tigers could end up spending $352M for Cabrera's services for the next 12 years.

Now for the young cats that are fighting and scraping for a roster spot.

I am starting the Speedy Hambino nickname for Billy Hamilton for the rest of the year. Yesterday is yet another reminder why. Hamilton went 3-4 with a pair of triples, a run scored, and he even drove in a run. Stephen Piscotty of the Cardinals pitched in a double, sac fly, RBI, run scored and an error in right field. XB knocked a double in three tries for Beantown, while teammate Jackie Bradley came up empty in his three trips. Meanwhile a pair of prominent Pale Hosers couldn't come up with enough to take down their cross-town rivals. Marcus Semien singled once, knocked in one, and struck out in four at bats while Cuban first baseman Jose Abreu did the same, except without the whole driving in a run part in one less at bat. Oddly enough, there was not a single Top 100 pitcher to appear in a game yesterday.

Of the guys on the outside looking in, Zoilo Almonte stands out for his perfect 3-3 day with a double and run driven in. Reds right fielder Juan Duran and Brewers first baseman Hunter Morris each left the building with solo shots. Another Cincy outfielder, Yorman Rodriguez drove in two with a double and single in a 2-5 performance. Tigers right fielder Tyler Collins was 1-2 with a triple and RBI, and Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks drove in one with a double and single in three trips to the dish.

2013 draftee Michael Lorenzen had an interesting line to say the least. He did not allow a run in four innings, but danced around eight base runners that came from five walks and three hits. He also struck out two. Pirates right hander Stolmy Pimentel was not as lucky. He allowed 10 base runners in four innings on nine hits and a walk, but four of those came in to score. Add in a wild pitch and three punchouts and the day was over. Tigers relief prospect (there is such a thing) Corey Knebel keeps throwing up zeroes, including another frame with a strike out yesterday.

Check out the rest below along with roster moves from the past two days. Enjoy everyone!

The Top 100

Position Players

Rank (Ovr)	Name, Pos	Team	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	SB	Notes
2 (2)	Xander Bogaerts, SS	BOS	3	0	1	0	0	0	2B
13 (25)	Nick Castellanos, 3B	DET	3	0	0	0	0	0
15 (29)	Jose Abreu, 1B	CWS	3	0	1	0	0	0	K
16 (34)	Joc Pederson, CF	LAD	1	0	0	0	0	0	K
20 (38)	Travis d'Arnaud, C	NYM	3	0	0	0	0	0

Rank (Ovr)	Name, Pos	Team	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	SB	Notes
22 (42)	Rougned Odor, 2B	TEX	2	0	0	1	0	0	vs Quintana Roo (MEX)
23 (43)	Billy Hamilton, CF	CIN	4	1	3	1	0	0	2 3B
27 (50)	Jackie Bradley, CF	BOS	3	0	0	0	0	0
29 (58)	Kolten Wong, 2B	STL	2	0	0	0	0	0
32 (66)	Chris Owings, SS	AZ	2	0	0	0	0	0

Rank (Ovr)	Name, Pos	Team	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	SB	Notes
34 (70)	Stephen Piscotty, RF	STL	1	1	1	1	0	0	2B, SF, E
49 (91)	Marcus Semien, 2B	CWS	4	0	1	1	0	0	K
51 (93)	Taylor Lindsey, 2B	LAA	1	1	0	0	0	1	SB (1)
54 (98)	Michael Choice, CF	TEX	1	0	0	0	0	0	BB - vs Quintana Roo (MEX)

Pitchers

No Top 100 pitchers were in action today.

Standout Performances

Position Players

Name, Pos	Team	Top 10 Rank	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	SB	Notes
Phillip Evans, 2B	NYM	-	1	0	1	0	0	0
Curt Powell, 2B	DET	-	2	0	1	2	0	0
Aaron Westlake, 1B	DET	-	2	0	1	0	0	0
Tyler Collins, RF	DET	-	2	0	1	1	0	0	3B
Alfredo Silverio, LF	MIA	-	0	0	0	0	0	0	BB
Gift Ngoepe, SS	PIT	-	2	0	1	1	0	0	3B, K, E
Mel Rojas, CF	PIT	-	2	0	1	0	0	0
Tony Sanchez, C	PIT	-	2	0	1	0	0	0	K
Jose Pirela, 2B	NYY	-	1	0	1	0	0	0
Zoilo Almonte, LF	NYY	-	3	0	3	1	0	0	2B

Name, Pos	Team	Top 10 Rank	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	SB	Notes
Adonis Garcia, RF	NYY	-	3	1	2	0	0	1	SB (3), 2B
Emilio Guerrero, SS	TOR	-	2	2	1	0	0	1	SB (1)
Andy Burns, 3B	TOR	-	1	0	1	0	0	1	SB (1)
Gabe Jacobo, 1B	TOR	-	1	0	1	2	0	0
Tucker Barnhart, C	CIN	10	4	0	1	0	0	0	2 K
Nick Ahmed, SS	AZ	-	2	0	1	0	0	0	2B, BB, PO
Mike Olt, 3B	CHC	-	4	1	1	0	0	0	2 K
Michael Ratterree, RF	MIL	-	1	0	0	0	0	0	BB
Hunter Morris, 1B	MIL	10	2	1	1	1	1	0	HR (1)
Juan Duran, RF	CIN	-	2	1	1	2	1	0	HR (1), K

Name, Pos	Team	Top 10 Rank	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	SB	Notes
Neftali Soto, 1B	CIN	-	2	0	1	0	0	0
Travis Mattair, 1B	CIN	-	2	2	1	0	0	0	2B, BB, K
Juan Silverio, 3B	CIN	-	3	1	2	1	0	0	2B
Yorman Rodriguez, RF	CIN	5	5	0	2	2	0	0	2B, K
Gerson Montilla, 3B	AZ	-	2	1	1	0	0	0	2B, K
Rudy Flores, 1B	AZ	-	2	0	1	1	0	0
Sean Jamieson, 2B	AZ	-	1	0	1	1	0	0
Tony Wolters, C	CLE	-	0	0	0	0	0	0	BB
Aaron Hicks, CF	MIN	-	3	0	2	1	0	0	2B
Jonathan Schoop, 3B	BAL	5	1	0	1	1	0	0	2B

Name, Pos	Team	Top 10 Rank	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	SB	Notes
Jake DePew, C	TB	-	1	0	1	0	0	0
Matt Long, RF	LAA	-	1	1	0	0	0	0	K

Pitchers

Name, Pos	Team	Top 10 Rank	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	Notes
Cory Mazzoni, RHP	NYM	-	1.2	3	1	1	1	2
Jeurys Familia, RHP	NYM	-	1.1	4	2	2	0	0
Corey Knebel, RHP	DET	7	1	0	0	0	0	1
Ian Thomas, LHP	ATL	-	0.1	0	0	0	0	0
Chasen Shreve, LHP	ATL	-	0.1	1	0	0	0	0
Anthony DeSclafani, RHP	MIA	5	2	5	4	4	1	1
James Nygren, RHP	MIA	-	1	0	0	0	0	2
Stolmy Pimentel, RHP	PIT	-	4	9	4	4	1	3	WP
Tyler Waldron, RHP	PIT	-	1	0	0	0	0	0
Dellin Betances, RHP	NYY	-	1	1	0	0	0	1

Name, Pos	Team	Top 10 Rank	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	Notes
Vidal Nuno, LHP	NYY	-	1	0	0	0	0	2
Cesar Cabral, LHP	NYY	-	1.1	1	0	0	0	2
Mario Hollands, LHP	PHI	-	0.1	1	2	2	1	0
Evan Marshall, RHP	AZ	-	1	0	0	0	0	1
Neil Ramirez, RHP	CHC	-	0.2	0	0	0	0	2
Danny Webb, RHP	CWS	-	1	0	0	0	0	1
Kyle Heckathorn, RHP	MIL	-	1	2	1	1	1	0
Jumbo Diaz, RHP	CIN	-	1	0	0	0	0	1
Michael Lorenzen, RHP	CIN	6	4	3	0	0	5	2
Fabian Williamson, LHP	CIN	-	0.2	0	0	0	1	2

Name, Pos	Team	Top 10 Rank	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	Notes
Merrill Kelly, RHP	TB	-	2	3	1	1	0	2	WP
Adam Liberatore, LHP	TB	-	1	0	0	0	0	2
Jose Dominguez, RHP	LAD	-	0.1	4	4	2	0	1
Nick Maronde, LHP	LAA	-	0.2	2	1	1	0	0
Cam Bedrosian, RHP	LAA	10	0.1	0	0	0	0	0
Drew Pomeranz, LHP	OAK	-	1.2	1	0	0	1	2
Alec Asher, RHP	TEX	-	1	5	3	3	1	0	HR – vs Quintana Roo (MEX)
Steve Tolleson, RHP	TEX	-	2	0	0	0	0	1	vs Quintana Roo (MEX)
Seth Rosin, RHP	TEX	-	2	1	0	0	1	1	vs Quintana Roo (MEX)

Injuries

- Rays SS Hak-Ju Lee (three to four weeks; left calf strain) - 3/24

- Pirates RHP Jameson Taillon ("a couple of weeks"; right elbow discomfort) - 3/23

- Pirates RHP Tyler Glasnow (day-to-day; tight lower back) - 3/23

- Twins CF Byron Buxton ("a couple of weeks"; minor left wrist sprain) - 3/16

- Padres LF Alex Dickerson (two weeks; left ankle sprain) - 3/18

- Mariners RHP Taijuan Walker (two weeks; right shoulder inflammation) - 3/20

- Tigers RHP Bruce Rondon (season; right elbow - TJS) - 3/21

- Dodgers RHP Ross Stripling (season; right elbow - TJS) - 3/14

- Twins 3B Miguel Sano (season; right elbow - TJS) - 3/12

Roster moves from Wednesday, March 26

Optioned to the Minors

Philadelphia Phillies -

C Cameron Rupp (AAA)

Kansas City Royals -

2B Johnny Giavotella (AAA)

Cleveland Indians -

RHP Josh Tomlin (AAA)

Pittsburgh Pirates -

RHP Vic Black (AAA)

Baltimore Orioles -

LF Henry Urrutia (AAA)
RHP Steve Johnson (AAA)

Chicago Cubs -

C Eli Whiteside (AAA)

Released

Chicago Cubs -

C George Kottaras

Tampa Bay Rays -

RHP Mark Lowe

Texas Rangers -

RHP Tommy Hanson

Los Angeles Angels -

RHP Joe Blanton

Philadelphia Phillies -

RHP Michael Stutes

Signed

Baltimore Orioles -

1B Brett Wallace

Seattle Mariners -

C Humberto Quintero

Arizona Diamondbacks -

RHP Kevin Munson

Washington Nationals -

IF Kevin Frandsen

Detroit Tigers -

RHP Bryan Augenstein

St. Louis Cardinals -

RHP David Aardsma

New York Mets -

RHP Kyle Farnsworth

Texas Rangers -

RHP Scott Baker

Reassigned to Minor League Camp

Baltimore Orioles -

OF Quintin Berry
2B Alexi Casilla

Claimed off Waivers

Texas Rangers -

2B Donnie Murphy (CHC)
RHP Seth Rosin (LAD)

Chicago White Sox -

RHP Javy Guerra (LAD)