For a season preview of the Pittsburgh Pirates two Dominican Summer League teams, check out our article here. Throughout the year, we will provide the recaps of both teams, as well as highlight one player each day. 
PIRATES1
Result: Angels 17, Pirates 10
Starting Pitcher: Miguel Ferreras, RHP (0-4, 6.38) – 1.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Pablo Reyes, DH (.342) – 2-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 BB, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.182) – 1-for-5, BB, 2B
Tito Polo, LF (.326) – 1-for-2, BB, SB
Jherson Esqueda, RHP (2.79) – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Johan De Jesus, SS (.185) – 1-for-2, 3 BB
Yomifer Polanco, RF (.288) – 2-for-4, BB, RBI
Game Notes: The Pirates gave up a season high 17 runs today as the Angels pounded out 15 hits, drew five walks and scored five unearned runs due to three Pirates errors. The Pirates bats were still strong this game, collecting 11 hits and drawing 13 walks, while putting up ten runs of their own. Pablo Reyes is now 11-for-20, with five walks in his last five games, after going four straight games without collecting a hit. Luis Benitez reached base in all five plate appearances, two singles, two walks and a HBP. Dennis Hurtarte left the game after being spiked by a baserunner in the fourth inning. He needed stitches and will now miss approximately ten days.
PIRATES2
Result: Yankees1 6, Pirates 0
Starting Pitcher: Francis Rodriguez, RHP (0-2, 6.86) – 3.0 IP, 0 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Michael de la Cruz, CF (.312) – 2-for-4, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Edgar Figueroa, LF (.279) – 2-for-5
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.244) – 1-for-4
Delvin Hiciano, RHP (0.00) – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.109) – DNP
Game Notes: The Pirates dropped to 12-11 on the season with a shutout loss to the Yankees. Starter Francis Rodriguez didn’t allow a hit in his three innings of work, but he still gave up three runs due to spotty control that led to five walks. Reliever Delvin Hiciano made his professional debut, throwing a shutout inning, though he allowed two inherited runners to score. Michael de la Cruz continues to get on base at an amazing pace. In 22 games, he has 24 hits and 25 walks. Edgar Figueroa was the only other Pirates player with two hits. In his last ten games, he is now hitting .429 and has struck out just twice during that span.
Player Of The Day
When the DSL season started this year, a new name popped up on the roster, a right-handed pitcher named Delvin Hiciano. The immediate thought when looking at his minor league page was that he is a roster filler. Someone that the Pirates will stick in the pen and he will just pick up innings when they are needed. The season is 23 games old as of right now and Hiciano just made his pro debut. He came in after the starter walked four straight batters to begin the inning. Hiciano got a fly out to center, then gave up a single and sacrifice fly to plate two runs. He got the last out on a pop-up in foul territory, a play he made himself.
The reason the 6’2″ hurler looked like a roster filler is his age. He is already 21-years-old and is just now pitching his first game. In a league where players show up as young as age sixteen, he is already well past the age of many players on the team. In fact, he is the oldest pitcher on the Pirates2 team and only infielder Edgardo Munoz is older than Hiciano. This isn’t to say there is no chance he is a potential prospect, it just means the chances are slim. Most pitchers that show any type of skill, will be signed early on, but there are always the occasional late bloomers.
