Scooter Hightower impressive as bullpen implodes

NY-Penn League News Photo

The West Virginia Black Bears’ loss on Monday night was disappointing, to say the least. Leading 2-0 going into the top of the 9th, the Black Bears gave up seven runs and lost to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 7-2, before 1,616 fans.

Scooter Hightower pitched an impressive eight shutout innings (89 pitches, four hits, 8 strikeouts and 1 walk).

Black Bears' relievers Joel Cesar and Hector Garcia gave up 7 runs on just 3 hits and 5 walks in the ninth inning.

Scooter Hightower

Hightower, a 15th round draft pick in 2015, is in his second season with the Black Bears and looks ready for a move up to the low-A West Virginia Power when the opportunity presents itself.  Appearing in 13 games (12 starts), he has an ERA of 1.88 in 72 innings pitched (0.86 WHIP, 61 strikeouts, 6 walks). Since the New York-Penn League All Star game break, Hightower has given up no runs in 15 innings (11 strikeoouts and 1 walk and a WHIP of 0.60).

The other bright spot for the night was the appearance of “The Pride of West Virginia” (West Virginia University marching band).

"The Pride of West Virginia"

The Black Bears lead the Scrappers by 1 game in McNamara Division as they head out of town for a six game road trip.

Photo Credits: NY-Penn League News, MiLB.com

NY-Penn League News is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League.

Players who have rehabbed with the West Virginia Black Bears

With Brandon Waddell, Connor Joe, and Hector Garcia being assigned to the West Virginia Black Bears for rehab in the last couple of days, I count 11 players in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization who have been placed at Granville for rehab assignments since the Black Bears moved to West Virginia in 2015.

Here’s a comprehensive list with their stats while with the Black Bears and where they are now.

Tyler Glasnow

June 19-26, 2016 - Pitcher Tyler Glasnow (from Indianapolis Indians)

W 0, L 1, 3.38 ERA,  2 games, 2 starts, 5.1 innings pitched, 3 hits, 4 runs, 2 earned runs, 2 BB, 6 SO, .150 batting average against, 0.94 WHIP

Currently assigned to the Indianapolis Indians (AAA). Started 2017 with the Pirates and was optioned to Indianapolis on June 10.

John Holdzkom

July 23-28, 2015 - Pitcher John Holdzkom (from Indianapolis Indians)

W 0, L 0, 0.00 ERA, 2 games, 0 starts, 2 innings pitched, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 earned runs, 0 BB, 3 SO, .000 batting average against, 0.00 WHIP

Holdzkom was released by the Pirates on April 11, 2016 and is currently a free agent.

Dovydas Neverauskas

June 19-27, 2015 Pitcher Dovydas Neverauskas (from West Virginia Power)

W 1, L 0, 3.86 ERA, 1 game, 2.1 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned runs, 3 BB, 2 SO, .364 batting average against, 3.00 WHIP

Currently assigned to the Indianapolis Indians (AAA). Had two brief assignments with the Pirates this season.

Steve Brault

June 19-25, 2016 Pitcher Steven Brault (from Indianapolis Indians)

W 0, L 0, 0.00 ERA, 1 game, 1 start, 4 innings pitched, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 earned runs, 0 BB, 5 SO, .077 batting average against, 0.25 WHIP

Brault was recalled by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Indianapolis Indians (AAA) today, July 22, 2017.

Austin Meadows

July 29 - August 6, 2016 Outfielder Austin Meadows (from Indianapolis Indians)

5 games, 15 at bats, 0 runs, 3 hits, 2 doubles, 0 triples, 0 HR, 5 total bases, 2 BB, 1 SO, .200/.294/.333, .627 OPS, 1 error

Meadows is assigned to Indianapolis Indians (AAA).

Mitch Keller

June 19-29, 2017 Pitcher Mitch Keller (from Bradenton Marauders)

W 0, L 0, 0.00 ERA, 2 games, 2 games started, 4 innings pitched, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 earned runs, 1 BB, 7 SO, .143 batting average against, 0.75 WHIP

Keller is assigned to Bradenton Marauders.

Michael Suchy

June 19-21, 2017 Outfielder Michael Suchy (from Altoona Curve)

2 games, 5 at bats, 0 runs, 1 hits, 0 doubles, 0 triples, 0 HR, 1 total bases, 3 BB, 3 SO, .200/.500/.200, .700 OPS, 1 error

Suchy plays for the Eastern League Altoona Curve.

Gift Ngoepe

July 4-7, 2017 Shortstop Gift Ngoepe (from Indianapolis Indians)

2 games, 7 at bats, 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 doubles, 0 triples, 1 HR, 5 total bases, 0 BB 2 SO, .286/.375/.714, 1.089 OPS, 1 error

Ngoepe is back at Indianapolis with the Indians. He appeared earlier this season with Pirates (April 26 until June 1) as the first player from the continent of Africa (South Africa) to play in the majors.

Brandon Waddell

July 19, 2017 Pitcher Brandon Waddell (from Altoona Curve)

W 0, L 0, 2.25 ERA, 1 game, 1 game started, 4 innings pitched, 4 hits, 1 runs, 1 earned runs, 4 BB, 4 SO, .267 batting average against, 1.25 WHIP

Waddell is still on a rehab assignment with the Black Bears.

Connor Joe

July 20, 2017 First Baseman Connor Joe (from Altoona Curve)

1 game, 4 at bats, 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 doubles, 0 triples, 0 HR, 1 total bases, 0 BB, 2 SO, .250/.250/.250, .500 OPS

Connor Joe’s rehab assignment with the Black Bears continues as of July 22.

Hector Garcia

July 22, 2017 Pitcher Hector Garcia (from West Virginia Power)

Photo Credits: MiLB.com

The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League. 

Strong pitching makes up for weak West Virginia Black Bears hitting

Despite a team batting average of .193, the West Virginia Black Bears find themselves in a three way tie for first place in the Pinckney Division with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and the State College Spikes with a 6-4 record.

Pitching is the bright spot thus far for the Black Bears with Scooter Hightower, Yoandy Fernandez, and Sergio Cubilete leading the way.

Scooter Hightower

Scooter Hightower has appeared in three games (two starts) this season and has a 0.00 ERA in 11 innings. He has 15 strikeouts and 0 walks, yielded four hits and has a WHIP of 0.36. The Clarksville, Tennessee native was drafted in the 15th round of the 2015 draft by the Pirates out of Columbia State Community College and was assigned to the Bristol Pirates in the Appalachian League (Rookie). He began the 2016 season with the Black Bears (38.1 IP, 2-5, 2.38 ERA, 37 SO, 7 BB, 1.38 WHIP) and was promoted to the West Virginia Power (South Atlantic League) on August 30, appearing in two games (7 IP, 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.29 WHIP).


Yoandy Fernandez is 2-0, appearing in three games in relief this season. In seven innings of work he has a 0.00 ERA, 12 strikeouts, 0 walks and a WHIP of 0.57. The 29 year old was signed to a minor league contract as a free agent by the Pirates on April 11, 2017. Fernandez pitched in Cuba from 2007 until 2013, before defecting from Cuba to Mexico in 2014. He was eligible for the 2015 draft, but went undrafted.

Yoandy Fernandez

Sergio Cubilete

 

















Sergio Cubilete is 1-0 in two starts this season for the Black Bears. He has pitched a total of 11 innings and has a 1.64 ERA, 5 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.09. A native of the Dominican Republic, Cubilete was signed as a free agent by the Pirates February 16, 2016. He appeared in 15 games for the Dominican Summer League Pirates in 2016.

The Black Bears are back in action tonight at Monongalia County Ballpark against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers starting at 7:05pm. Ticket information at westvirginiablackbears.com.

Photo Credits: MiLB.com
 
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League

West Virginia Black Bears 2017 Roster Announced

The West Virginia  Black Bears announced their initial 2017 roster on Twitter earlier today. Fans can expect to see several roster changes over the next few weeks as players selected in this year's draft sign contracts and are assigned to teams.

There are several familiar faces on the Black Bears roster. Pitchers Stephan Meyer, Brandon Bingel, Evan Piechota, Nick King, Matt Diorio, Sandy Santos are all back from 2016. Ryan Nagel played for the Black Bears in 2015.

The Black Bears open the season at home on Monday, June 19 against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Ticket information is available at the team's website at westvirginiablackbears.com                                                                                    

Stephan Meyer

Brandon Bingel 

Matt Diorio

Photo Credits: MiLB.com

The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League.

Who will be back with the West Virginia Black Bears in 2017?

Brandon Bingel

Here’s a look at players who are projected to return to Granville for another season with the West Virginia Black Bears. We will know for sure in a few days, but looking at the current roster at the Black Bears website, it looks like 7 players will be back from the 2016 season. The remainder of the team will be made up of players drafted in this week’s MLB draft and possibly a few players will be assigned from the Bristol Pirates (Appalachian League) and the Gulf Coast League Pirates.

Brandon Bingel pitched in 16 games last year for the Black Bears (0-2, 2.91 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 4 saves, 16 SO, 9 BB in 21.2 innings). He was drafted by the Pirates in the 22nd round of the 2016 draft out of Bryant College.

Stephan Meyer was drafted in the 18th round of the 2015 draft out of Bellevue University. After a strong start with the Rookie League Gulf Coast Pirates, he was assigned to the Black Bears on August 26, 2015, and pitched in four games (0-0, 10.2 IP, 0.84 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 10 SO, 2 BB). Spent the entire 2016 with Black Bears, starting 16 games (2-6, 82 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 50 SO, 22 BB).

Evan Piechota played college ball at Madonna (Michigan) University. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in July, 2016 and was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Pirates. He was reassigned to the Bristol Pirates on August 1 and then promoted to the Black Bears on August 21, 2016. He appeared in 4 games in relief (2-0, 9.1 IP, 1.93 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 5 SO, 3 BB)

Stephan Meyer

 Jacob Taylor was drafted in the 5th round of the 2015 draft out of Pearl River (Mississippi) Community College. Played in one game in 2015 with the Gulf Coast Pirates before needing Tommy John surgery. Returned to action in August, 2016 with the Gulf Coast Pirates and appeared in one game with the Black Bears.

Nick King was signed by the Pirates as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Georgia on June 30, 2016. He appeared in 28 games for the Black Bears (2B/3B) (.196/.265/.261).

Matt Diorio was drafted out of the University of Central Florida in the 16th round of the 2016 draft. The outfielder appeared in 37 games for the Black Bears in 2016 (.215/.329/.306).

Sandy Santos was signed by the Pirates as an international free agent in 2012. Spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons with the Dominican Summer League Pirates and the 2015 season with the Bristol Pirates in the Appalachian League. The outfielder played in 63 games with the Black Bears in 2016 (.281/.336/.412). He began the 2017 season with the West Virginia Power in the South Atlantic League (.181/.301/.319) and was assigned to the Black Bears on June 13, 2017.

Matt Diorio

Sandy Santos

 Opening day in the New York-Penn League is June 19. Read game recaps at The Stedler Report every week during the season.

Photo Credits: MiLB.com

The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League.

Part 5 - The 2015 New York-Penn League Champion West Virginia Black Bears - Where are they now?

NYPL 2015 Champions Celebrate

The West Virginia Black Bears won the 2015 New York-Penn League Championship in their first season after the franchise relocated from Jamestown, New York. Forty-five Pirates prospects were part of the championship season. Here’s the fifth and final article taking a look at what happened to everyone who played on that team. Click on their names to link to their stats at MiLB.com.

Edgar Santana, 2015

Edgar Santana pitched in 14 games for the Black Bears until being promoted to the West Virginia Power (South Atlantic League) on August 9, 2015. He began the 2016 season with the Bradenton Marauders (Florida State League) and was assigned to the AA Altoona Curve (Eastern League) on May 10, 2016. On August 1, 2016, Santana was promoted to the AAA Indianapolis Indians (International League). After a strong performance in the Arizona Fall League (0.00 ERA, 18 SO, 2 BB, 0.951 WHIP in 13.2 IP), he was a non-roster invitee to the Pirates 2017 Spring Training. Currently with the Indianapolis Indians. Could make his first appearance at PNC Park later this summer.

Tate Scioneaux began the 2016 season with the West Virginia Power (South Atlantic League) until being assigned to the Bradenton Marauders (Florida State League) on May 3, 2016. Currently pitching for the AA Altoona Curve (Eastern League).

Mitchell Tolman was selected in the 7th round of the 2015 draft out of the University of Oregon. He played in 119 games for the West Virginia Power in 2016 and is currently assigned to the Bradenton Marauders (.243/.379/.358)

Tate Scioneaux, 2015

Mitchell Tolman, 2015

Brandon Waddell, 2015

Daniel Zamora, 2015

Brandon Waddell was a 5th round draft pick out of the University of Virginia in 2015. Began the 2016 season with the Bradenton Marauders until his promotion to the Altoona Curve on May 3, 2016. Assigned to the Altoona Curve again this season. Came off the disabled list on May 4, 2017.

Daniel Zamora was selected in the 40th round of the 2015 draft out of SUNY Stony Brook. He pitched in 21 games for the West Virginia Power in 2016. Currently assigned to the Bradenton Marauders.

Wyatt Toregas Bobblehead, 2016

Wyatt Toregas managed the Black Bears in the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Currently managing the West Virginia Power. Honored in 2016 as the first West Virginia Black Bears Bobblehead.

Cooper the Bear, 2015

Cooper continues as the Black Bears Mascot at all home games at Monongalia County Ballpark. He will have his own Bobblehead Night this season on Thursday, July 20.

Pepperoni Rolls, 2015

Pepperoni Rolls (Hot Pepper Hank, Double Stuffed Dave, Pepperoni & Cheese Patty) are back for a third season of racing between innings. The big question here - will Double Stuffed Dave win his first race during the 2017 season?

Photo Credits: MiLB.com, Our Sports Central, imgrum

The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League

The 2015 New York-Penn League Champion West Virginia Black Bears - Where are they now?

The West Virginia Black Bears won the 2015 New York-Penn League Championship in the their inaugural season after the franchise relocated from Jamestown, New York. Forty-five Pirates prospects were part of the championship season. Here’s the first of five articles taking a look at what happened to everyone who played on that team. Click on their names to link to their stats at MiLB.com.

Dario Agrazal

Dario Agrazal is currently pitching for the Bradenton Marauders. Spent the 2016 season with the West Virginia Power. Named to All Star team in 2015.

Tanner Anderson

Tanner Anderson is currently pitching for the Altoona Curve after splitting the 2016 between the West Virginia Power and the Bradenton Marauders.

David Andriese

 David Andriese was released by the Pirates organization on November 6, 2015.

Daniel Arribas

Daniel Arribas is currently with the Bradenton Marauders. Spent the 2016 season with the West Virginia Power. Named to League All-Star teams in 2014, ’15, and ’16.

Alexis Bastardo

Alexis Bastardo is currently assigned to the West Virginia Power. Spent the 2016 season with the Bristol Pirates.
 

Albert Baur

Albert Baur is currently assigned to the West Virginia Power after spending the 2016 with the West Virginia Black Bears. On April 11, 2017, he was placed on the disabled list.

Jonathan Brubaker

Eric Dorsch

Jonathan Brubaker is  currently with the Altoona Curves (placed on 7 day disabled league on May 4) after spending time with the West Virginia Power and the Bradenton Marauders in 2016.

Eric Dorsch was released from the Pittsburgh Pirates organization on March 28, 2016.

Next up: Luis Escobar to Casey Hughston.

On deck: Eric Karch to Carlos Munoz.

The Closer: Ryan Nagle to Maximo Rivera.

Photo Credits: MiLB.com

The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League

New York-Penn League Road Trips! Next up: West Virginia Black Bears

This is the second post in a series about road trips for New York-Penn League fans. The West Virginia Black Bears (2015 NYPL Champions), affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates play their home games in Granville, West Virginia. Granville is a small town next to Morgantown (home of West Virginia University) and approximately 80 miles south of Pittsburgh.

Stadium: Monongalia County Ballpark; Capacity: 3,500 (2,500 seats; 1,000 standing room). Construction was completed in 2015 at a cost of $21 million. Also the home field of the West Virginia University Mountaineers. Beautiful, family friendly environment. Considered by some to be the best entertainment value in north central West Virginia (every game includes Cooper the Black Bear and Pepperoni Roll Races). Take Exit 153 off of Interstate I-79 directly to the ballpark.

2017 Home Schedule: June 19, 29 - Mahoning Valley;  June 28, 29, 30 - Mahoning Valley; July 1, 2, 3 - Williamsport;  July 7, 8, 9 - Batavia;  July 14, 15, 16 - Staten Island;  July 20, 21, 22, - State College;  July 23, 24, 25 - Batavia;  August 2, 3, 4 - State College;  August 8, 9, 10 - Brooklyn; August 16, 17, 18 - State College;  August 19, 20, 21 - Mahoning Valley;  August 28, 29, 30 - State College;  September 3, 4, 5 - Williamsport

Ticket Information: WestVirginiaBlackBears.com

Promotion Schedule: Pending.

Lodging and Dining: GreaterMorgantownWV  There are two new motels within walking distance of Monongalia County Ballpark (Courtyard by Marriott and a Hampton Inn is under construction).

Team website: WestVirginiaBlackBears.com

Follow on Twitter: @WVBlackBears

Photo Credits: City-Data.com, MiLB.com, WV Public Broadcasting, WVUsports.com

The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League

New Logos for 2017 - Black Bears and Spinners

The West Virginia Black Bears and the Lowell Spinners will have new logos for the 2017 season.

The West Virginia Black Bears unveiled their new alternate logo back on December 1, 2016 at the annual Holiday Party at Monongalia County Ballpark. The new logo will be worn on the batting practice hat and features the black bear head inside the outline of the state of West Virginia. The new alternate logo replaces the bear paw logo. "After two seasons, we wanted to have a logo that better represented our tie with the great state of West Virginia" said general manager Matt Drayer. See the press release here.

Hats and t-shirts with the new logo are available at the team store at Mon County Ballpark or at the online store.

The Lowell Spinners revealed a new series of logos and uniforms at an event held on January 31, 2017. The new logos feature an updated look of the team's mascot, Canaligator, and includes a skyline and Lowell's iconic mills and factories. "We also wanted to incorporate our affiliation with the Red Sox as well as the factories and mills that define Lowell" said team owner Dave Heller. Read the Spinners' press release here.

New Spinners apparel can be purchased at the team store at LeLacheur Park or at the online store.

Photo Credits: MiLB.com

The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League