Minor-league top performers: Mitch Jebb, Konnor Griffin have double-digit hit weeks
Top performers from the previous week in the Pirates' system
Another week in the minors is over, and it is probably safe to say that the hitting outperformed the pitching in the Pirates’ system.
While we got some good pitching performances, there were more names on the offensive side to choose from than on the pitching side, where it was pretty easy to pick the top three.
Overall, the Indianapolis Indians completed a six-game sweep of the Louisville Bats. Among the four full-season affiliates, only the Bradenton Marauders didn’t outright win their weekly series (they still split 3-3).
So, there was plenty of success to go around. Here are three pitchers and three hitters who stood out:
Top Hitters
Mitch Jebb
Last Week: .500/.556/.708, 6 R, 2B, 2 3B, 4 RBI, 4/5 SB, 2 BB, K
This Season: .326/.417/.395, 16 R, 5 2B, 2 3B, 13 RBI, 20 BB, 21 K, 16/19 SB
It was another strong week for Jebb, who picked up hits in five of his six games. He had multiple hits in four, including three straight with three. Jebb remains a terror on the bases, stealing four last week and now leads the Eastern League in the category.
He also ranks third in average and on-base percentage.
Konnor Griffin
Last Week: .545/.542/.773, 8 R, 2 2B, HR, 7 RBI, 4 K, 4/4 SB
This Season: .324/.373/.547, 34 R, 8 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 6 BB, 40 K, 17/21 SB
Griffin’s hitting streak is up to nine games after reaching safely all week for the Marauders. He sprinkled in a couple of doubles and his seventh home run of the season, while also stealing four bases.
He had three games last week with at least three hits, adding a fourth on May 15. It was his second four-hit game during his hitting streak.
Esmerlyn Valdez
Last Week: .304/.360/.783, 5 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
This Season: .313/.381/.611, 24 R, 10 2B, 11 HR, 32 RBI, 15 BB, 39 K
We knew Valdez's power was legit; it was just a matter of making more consistent contact. He’s still got a little way to go, but you can see noticeable improvements. Last week highlighted that, as he struck out twice in five games. He also walked twice.
Oh, and he also hit two doubles and three home runs, leading the system in long balls with 11.
Top Pitchers
Antwone Kelly
Last Week: 1-0, 1/1, 5 IP, BB, 8 K
This Season: 1-0, 8/8, 4.13 ERA, 28.1 IP, 21 H, 13 ER, 10 BB, 40 K
Kelly picked up his win of the season after throwing five no-hit innings against Rome. It was his second outing of at least four innings where he didn’t allow a hit. With an upper-90s fastball, making contact off Kelly hasn’t been easy (35.3 K%), and his walk rate keeps going in the right direction.
Alessandro Ercolani
Last Week: 1-0, 1/1, 5 IP, 3 H, BB, 5 K
This Season: 1-2, 7/7, 4.18 ERA, 23.2 IP, 23 H, 11 ER, 7 BB, 22 K
After a rough start to the season, Ercolani is starting to find his footing in May. His latest outing saw him toss five shutout innings, striking out five. Ercolani posted a 6.17 ERA in April, but has a 2.25 mark this month.
Ryan Harbin
Last Week: 2/0, SV, 4 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 10 K
This Season: 1-2, 13/0, 2 SV, 4.60 ERA, 15.2 IP, 9 H, 8 ER, 13 BB, 26 K
Bubba Chandler had another solid week, so he was considered here, but I decided to go with another name. Harbin has the stuff to be a recurring name here, but has control issues. He was able to stay near the strike zone last week, and the results showed, as Harbin struck out 10 batters over four innings pitched.
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itching for Jebb in AAA just to get some batted ball data on him.
86mph is my partially-scientific lower bound of viable exit velo for an average big league hitter. It's super cool the Simpson's and Arraez's of the baseball world exist, but they're proving to be the exception to the rule instead of signaling some overarching change in the game. 80 hit/speed dudes have and will succeed in any era, but Jebb probably ain't that.
Chandler, Griffin, and Jebb all on the BA Hot List this week. Prettay, prettay good.