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: Phillies 11 , Pirates 5
Starting Pitcher: Ramon Rodriguez, RHP (0-1, 2.08) – 4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Yunelky Adames, DH (.286) – 1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.083) – 0-for-3, HBP
Arquimedes Lorenzo, RHP (27.00) – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR
Pablo Reyes, 2B (.375) – 1-for-4
Johan De Jesus, SS (.231) – 1-for-4, RBI, BB, SB
Dennis Hurtarte, 1B (.091) – 0-for-4
Game Notes: Starter Ramon Rodriguez had some defensive troubles behind him that led to four unearned runs and the loss. Arquimedes Lorenzo allowed three runs over one inning in his first game of the year. He was once considered a promising prospect, but after a 50 game suspension during the 2011 season for a failed PED test, he hasn’t been able to reach his full potential. Shortstop prospect Johan De Jesus made his fourth error of the season, one of four errors in the game by the Pirates. In five games, the Pirates1 team has recorded just 22 strikeouts by their pitchers, the lowest total in the league. Yunelky Adames has two of the three homers hit by Pirates players in the DSL.
PIRATES2
Result: Pirates 7, Cardinals 4
Starting Pitcher: Omar Basulto, LHP (0.00) – 4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.313) – 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.235) – 0-for-4, BB, 2 Runs
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.071) – 0-for-4
Jose Salazar, 1B (.500) – 2-for-4, RBI
Horelbin Ramos, LHP (1-0, 0.00) – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: The Pirates won their first game of the season, giving both Pittsburgh affiliates a 1-4 record so far. Omar Basulto started the game and went four scoreless innings in his season debut. Another lefty named Horelbin Ramos came in and threw three shutout innings in his second appearance of the year. Jose Salazar played first base and got two hits in his first game. Salazar came into the league as the youngest player on the team in 2011 and was the regular shortstop. Last year he moved to third base and didn’t hit much, so it isn’t interesting to see him at first base. Third base prospect Jhoan Herrera had his first multi-hit game of his brief career. He also drove in his first two runs. Edgardo Munoz scored three runs.
Player Of The Day
Last season, shortstop Pablo Reyes came out of nowhere to play an important role in the DSL, he was the everyday shortstop. He split his time between both Pirates affiliates, getting 55 games in at the position. That is an impressive total for an 18-year-old rookie that signed without any fanfare. He was a decent hitter too, batting .284, with a .767 OPS and a 23/12 BB/K ratio. He also stole 18 bases in 25 attempts. This season, Reyes is off to a fast start, collecting six hits in his first four games, including a home run. All of last season, the 5’10”, 150 lb righty hit just one homer in 183 AB’s. He seems to be playing everyday again, with some other highly touted shortstops around, so it should be interesting to watch him as this season progresses to see if he is a legit shortstop prospect. So far, he has signs that point to yes.
