One thing I enjoy the most about seeing the low-level teams in the Pirates’ system — basically, all the short-season teams — is getting a first look at players who are new, either new to the system because they were just drafted and/or signed, or new to the US, having come up from the Dominican Summer League. Until then, they’re all just names in a box score. We’ll have some more substantive Bristol coverage once the deadline drama (well, in the end there wasn’t much) dies down. Until then, here are some new guys, including catcher Eli Wilson (shown above), who was drafted in round 16.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
Today’s Starter and Notes: The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 4-1 to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday afternoon. The Pirates have off today, as they travel home for three games against the New York Mets this weekend, followed by three more against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The minor league schedule includes a doubleheader for Altoona and a rehab start for Steven Brault in Indianapolis. Brault last pitched on July 5th, when he served up one run over four innings before suffering a left shoulder strain. He has thrown a simulated game already, but this will be his first rehab appearance. Pedro Vasquez and Beau Sulser will get the starts for Altoona. Vasquez recently had a string of five outings in which he gave up one run over 31 innings. In his last four games combined, he has allowed ten runs over 18 innings. Sulser threw four shutout innings last time out, ending a three-game stretch of 6.2 innings with ten runs allowed. He has only allowed 18 earned runs this entire season, so more than half came during that recent stretch.
After a rain out yesterday, Brad Case will be on the mound for Bradenton, making his ninth start in High-A. He tossed six shutout innings in his last outing, despite giving up seven hits and two walks for the third straight appearance. Bradenton has a doubleheader with no starter listed for the second game. Greensboro will send out Colin Selby, who put up a 2.36 ERA in five June starts. However, his worst outing of the month was against today’s opponent, West Virginia. Fourth round pick JC Flowers will make his fourth appearance for Morgantown. He allowed one run over three innings in his last game. Bristol will send out Santiago Florez, who couldn’t get out of the first inning of his last start due to control issues. He walked four batters and gave up two runs without a hit. This will be his third start against Greeneville. Florez has given up two runs over ten innings against the Reds.
MLB: Pittsburgh (47-61) vs Mets (51-55) 7:05 PM 8/2
Probable starter: Trevor Williams (4.87 ERA, 75:20 SO/BB, 88.2 IP)
AAA: Indianapolis (55-53) @ Toledo (48-61) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Steven Brault (NR)
AA: Altoona (54-53) @ Trenton (57-49) 5:00 PM DH (season preview)
Probable starter: Pedro Vasquez (2.81 ERA, 71:17 SO/BB, 86.1 IP) and Beau Sulser (2.42 ERA, 46:18 SO/BB, 67.0 IP)
High-A: Bradenton (58-48) vs Charlotte (64-42) 5:00 PM DH (season preview)
Probable starter: Brad Case (3.80 ERA, 30:12 SO/BB, 45.0 IP) and TBD
Low-A: Greensboro (64-43) @ West Virginia (55-54) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Colin Selby (3.04 ERA, 71:23 SO/BB, 74.0 IP)
Short-Season A: Morgantown (22-21) vs Staten Island (23-21) 6:35 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: JC Flowers (1.50 ERA, 7:5 SO/BB, 6.0 IP)
Rookie: Bristol (19-21) vs Greeneville (17-23) 6:30 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Santiago Florez (3.86 ERA, 17:11 SO/BB, 21.0 IP)
GCL: Pirates (11-18) vs Red Sox (16-11) 12:00 PM (season preview)
DSL: Pirates1 (24-27) vs Cub1 (23-28) 10:30 AM (season preview)
DSL: Pirates2 (43-8) vs Royals2 (24-27) 10:30 AM (season preview)
HIGHLIGHTS
From Indianapolis on Tuesday night, Will Craig’s walk-off home run, his 20th homer of the season.
LARGE.
Kevin Kramer hit his eighth home run of the season
Every dog on the RF lawn.
Ball. BAll. BALl. BALL. BALL! BALLLLLLL!!!!!#RollTribe pic.twitter.com/vIcWNbeeKh
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) July 31, 2019
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
7/31: Pirates trade Corey Dickerson to Phillies for a player to be named later and international bonus slot money.
7/30: Oneil Cruz promoted to Altoona. Jerrick Suiter activated from injured list. Bralin Jackson placed on injured list. Gift Ngoepe released.
7/30: Pirates recall Geoff Hartlieb and Yefry Ramirez. Montana DuRapau and Alex McRae optioned to Indianapolis.
7/30: Elvis Escobar assigned to Morgantown on rehab.
7/30: Daniel Amaral activated from Bradenton injured list.
7/29: Jordan Lyles traded to Milwaukee Brewers for Cody Ponce. Montana DuRapau recalled from Indianapolis.
7/28: Darnell Sweeney assigned to Altoona. Alfredo Reyes assigned to Greensboro.
7/27: Pirates claim Parker Markel off waivers from Seattle Mariners.
7/27: Kyle Mottice placed on Greensboro injured list. Michael Gretler activated from injured list.
7/27: Angel German activated from suspended list.
7/27: Daniel Amaral sent to GCL Pirates on rehab.
7/27: Tyler Lyons returns to Indianapolis from paternity list.
7/26: Pirates sign Lewys Guzman, Jose Vasquez, Pedro Figuereo, Juan Santos
7/26: Osvaldo Bido promoted to Bradenton. Noe Toribio promoted to Greensboro. Trey McGough promoted to Morgantown. Lizardy Dicent assigned to Bristol on rehab.
7/25: Pirates recall Alex McRae. Luis Escobar optioned to Indianapolis.
7/25: Will Kobos promoted to Greensboro.
7/24: Keone Kela added to Pirates roster. Clay Holmes placed on injured list.
7/24: Angel German suspended by Altoona.
7/23: Brandon Waddell promoted to Indianapolis. Nicholas Economos promoted to Altoona. Conner Loeprich promoted to Bradenton. Winston Nicacio promoted to Greensboro. Oliver Garcia promoted to Morgantown. Miguel Peralta released.
7/23: Luis Nova placed on Greensboro injured list. Nick Mears placed on Bradenton injured list.
7/23: Tyler Lyons placed on paternity list. Eric Wood placed on temporary inactive list.
7/22: Saul de la Cruz promoted to Bristol. Wilger Camacho sent to GCL Pirates.
7/22: Elvis Escobar assigned to GCL Pirates on rehab.
THIS DATE IN PIRATES HISTORY
Four former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, plus a former manager. We start with the skipper of the 2005 club at the end of the season, Pete Mackanin. He took over for Lloyd McClendon and led the Pirates to a 12-14 record during his short stay.
As for the players, we have Freddy Garcia, who played all four corner spots for the Pirates, seeing time during the 1995 season, then again from 1997 until 1999.
Milt May, catcher who had two stints for the Pirates from 1970-73 and then again during the 1983-84 seasons. The Pirates traded him for pitcher Jerry Reuss after the 1973 season. His dad Pinky May played five years in the majors for the Phillies.
Pep Rambert, pitcher for the 1939-40 team. Pitched just five Major League games, all for the Pirates. Spent 15 seasons in pro ball, taking time out in the middle to serve in the military during WWII.
Roy Sanders, 1918 Pirates. There have been two players in Major League history named Roy Sanders and both pitched in 1918, and both were 6’0″ right-handers. The one for the Pirates had a 2.60 ERA over 156 innings in 1918, his only full season in the majors. He held out for more money after the season and instead ended up playing semi-pro ball near his home, never returning to pro ball.
