Thursday Pebble Report: Matt Pierpont drops ERA below 2.00 with 16th save

Matt Pierpont has not taken the traditional road through the minor league system. The 26th round pick from 2013 is now in his third stint in AA Hartford and, at 27, is older than most of his competition. But the Yard Goats closer is providing an intriguing and exciting season so far and one that may lead to him finding his way closer to the big leagues.

Pierpont is in his sixth season in the minor leagues, which makes him unlikely to ever be thought of as an exciting prospect or a future star. But after a few years of struggling to overcome adversity and working with mental coach Dan Chapman, Pierpont finally clicked in 2017, and he’s continued that success into the 2018 season. His scoreless 9th in Hartford’s win on Wednesday night dropped his ERA to 1.95 on the season. In 17 save opportunities, he’s converted 16.

Pierpont’s stuff isn’t electric (according to 2080 he sits at 90 MPH on his fastball) but he’s improved his K rate anyway. In his best season yet in terms of missing contact, Pierpont has struck out 40 batters in 27 innings. He’s only allowed 18 hits this season, only THREE have gone for extra bases, and of his six earned runs allowed, three came on one swing against Bowie.

Pierpont’s age and experience may keep many from being intrigued by him, but his results are, at the least, worth a look in an org praying for relievers.

Other scores and notes from the affiliates are below:

Triple-A: Memphis Redbirds 11, Albuquerque Isotopes 0

Jordan Patterson (No.14 PuRP): 1-for-4, 2B

Zac Rosscup: ¹⁄₃ IP, K

Raimel Tapia: 1-for-4

Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats 3, Erie Sea Wolves 0

Dom Nunez (No.21 PuRP): 1-for-2, HR

Brendan Rodgers (No.1 PuRP): 0-for-3

Forrest Wall (No.16 PuRP): 0-for-4

Class-A Advanced: Lancaster JetHawks 4, Inland Empire 66ers 3

Vince Fernandez (No.28 PuRP): 1-for-3, 2B

Colton Welker (No.5 PuRP): 1-for-5, RBI

Willie Abreu (No.26 PuRP): 1-for-3, RBI

Class-A: Asheville Tourists 4, Charleston RiverDogs 3

Chad Spanberger (No.29 PuRP): 1-for-3, HR

Ryan Vilade (No.7 PuRP): 0-for-4

Robert Tyler: 1 ¹⁄₃ IP, 4 K

Dominican Summer League: DSL Rockies 7, DSL Angels 5

Jesus Leon: 1 ²⁄₃ IP, 4 K

Johan Liberato: 1-for-3, 3 RBI

Dominican Summer League: DSL Mariners 7, DSL Colorado 6

Daniel Montano: 1-for-4

Yeikel Blandin: 1-for-3

Vladimir Dione: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI

★ ★ ★

Thursday Probables:

Triple-A Albuquerque: David Holman (2-1, 5.61 ERA) vs. Memphis

Double-A Hartford: Ryan Castellani (3-3, 5.01 ERA) vs. Erie

Class-A Advanced Lancaster: David Hill (1-1, 1.80 ERA) vs. Inland Empire

Class-A Asheville: Lucas Gilbreath (4-3, 6.41 ERA) vs. Charleston

Dominican Summer League: DSL Rockies (TBD) vs. DSL Nationals, DSL Colorado (TBD) vs. DSL Pirates 2