SHAWNEE – Taylor Hearn was the topic of a PiratesProspects piece in which he was considered a exciting part of the trade for Mark Melancon.
Hearn is 1-1 with a 2.63 earned run average and 21 strikeouts in 13.2 innings since being traded from the Nationals organization and being assigned to the Pittsburgh Pirates Class A West Virginia Power. He has held opponents to a .184 batting average. Overall this year, Hearn is 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 42.2 innings.
In AA, Julian Merryweather has settled in and has a 4-4 record with a 4.11 ERA for the Akron RubberDucks of the Cleveland Indians system. Merryweather has 46 strikeouts in 57 innings since being called up a level. Overall this season, he is 12-6 with a 2.52 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 118 innings.
Nate Thompson is 2-1 with a 5.01 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 23.1 innings this season for the Rookie League Greeneville Astros.
Matthew Page is hitting .268 with 11 home runs and 71 RBI in 109 games in the Washington Nationals' system this season. He is currently at Advanced-A Potomac.
Keach Ballard got a week of experience at the AAA level before returning to Class A-Advanced where he responded with a three-hit game for the Lancaster JetHawks of Houston Astros' minor league system.
The Sonoma Stompers are a win away from claiming a second-half championship in the Independent Leagues, getting help from Daniel Baptista, who is hitting .305 with nine home runs and 61 RBI.
Chris Rogers and the Alpine Cowboys are done for the season. Rogers finished with a 4-2 record, five saves and a 1.66 earned run average to lead the team.
