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: Rangers 11, Pirates 9
Starting Pitcher: Jandy Vasquez, RHP (67.50) – 0.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Tito Polo, LF (.250) – 2-for-5, 3 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Jesus Perez, RHP (0-1, 13.50) – 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Rodney Polonia, 2B (.429) – 2-for-5,
Johan De Jesus, SS (.333) – 2-for-3, 2 Runs
Yunelky Adames, 1B (.250) – 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Game Notes: Starter Jandy Vasquez made his pro debut today and got hit hard. The 18-year-old, 6’4″ right-hander gave up five runs before being pulled in the first inning. Two other pitchers also got their first career appearance, both without much success. Jesus Perez is a 19-year-old righty from Venezuela, listed at 6’2″, 228 pounds. He allowed two runs, two hits and three walks in 1.1 innings. Jherson Esqueda is a 17-year-old(turns 18 on Sunday) righty the Pirates signed out of Mexico in March. He gave up two hits, two walks and one run in 1.2 innings. Pirates pitchers gave up 25 baserunners and recorded just two strikeouts. Yunelky Adames hit the first homer of the season for either Pirates DSL affiliate.
PIRATES2
Result: Nationals 12, Pirates 3
Starting Pitcher: Remy De Aza, RHP (0-0, 0.00) – 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Carlos Munoz, 1B (.500) – 2-for-3, 2 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, DH (.250) – 1-for-2, BB
Alexis Bastardo, RF (.333) – 2-for-5, 3B
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.222) – 1-for-4, BB
Jose Batista, LHP (0.00) – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: The Pirates lost their third straight game to open the season. Remy De Aza gave up three unearned runs in his limited time. Last season, he had major control issues, walking 30 batters in 21.1 innings. Jose Batista, a 17-year-old, 6’2″ lefty, threw three shutout innings in his pro debut. Another 17-year-old pitcher made his pro debut, right-hander Luis Brun, who threw 1.1 scoreless innings. Top prospect Michael de la Cruz picked up his second hit of the season. He has drawn a walk in all three games so far. Carlos Munoz has reached base seven times already. Catcher Ramy Perez had one hit in three AB’s during his pro debut. The Pirates made four errors
Player Of The Day
Last March, the Pirates signed five players out of Colombia, including a center fielder that had a strong bat, with plus speed. Tito Polo is a 5’11” righty/righty, who turned 18-years-old in late-August and he was thought to be the best player of that group. He played in the Colombian Winter League this off-season as a teammate of highly-touted Pirates prospect Harold Ramirez. Polo was seldom used, getting just 24 AB’s all season. In the playoffs he was only used twice, both times as a pinch-runner. Last year he made his pro debut in the DSL and did well for his age. He batted .280 in 55 games, with a .798 OPS and 17 stolen bases in 24 attempts. So far this year, he has started all three games and he had four RBI’s. With the amount of playing time he got at a young age last year, he should be a player to watch this season for the Pirates in the DSL.
