Every week we will be recapping the transactions in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor league system, looking at the trends and adding some context to some of the bigger moves.
We haven’t seen a lot of bigger moves this year in terms of big prospect promotions. That could be in large part due to the lost season in 2020 impacting how the Pirates want to progress their players this year.
The most notable of the system transactions this week was the promotion of 2021 first overall pick Henry Davis to Greensboro.
All transactions in this week’s article run from 8-7 to 8-13.
Promotions
Indianapolis
OF Anthony Alford selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates from Indianapolis. (8/7)
Altoona
RHP Alex Manasa promoted from Greensboro to Altoona. (8/10) Manasa has been all over the system, being treated more as a replacement when needed, rather than a prospect. Last week he was in Indianapolis, then moved to Greensboro. We’ll see if he finds a home in Double-A.
C Grant Koch transferred from Greensboro to Altoona. (8/10) Greensboro eventually found a new catcher.
Greensboro
C Henry Davis promoted to Greensboro from the FCL (8/12). Davis will get a look at the end of the season in High-A. I’d expect him to begin the 2022 season at the same level, unless he absolutely destroys A-ball pitching over the next month. The Pirates are easing him into pro ball. Davis just got his second start, and first at catcher, this afternoon (8/15).
LF Yoyner Fajardo promoted from Bradenton to Greensboro. (8/10) The Marauders had two outfielders go on the IL the same day.
RHP Sergio Umana promoted to Greensboro from Bradenton. (8/7)
Bradenton
None
Demotions
Indianapolis
3B Erik Gonzalez outrighted by the Pirates to Indianapolis. (8/10)
UT Phillip Evans optioned to Indianapolis. (8/7)
Altoona
None
Greensboro
None
Bradenton
RHP Enmanuel Mejia assigned to Bradenton from Greensboro (8/10).
IL Assignments
Indianapolis
LHP Blake Weiman placed on 7-day IL (8/9).
Altoona
OF Brendt Citta transferred to 60-day IL (left leg). (8/10)
LHP Cam Alldred placed on Temporary Inactive List. (8/10)
OF Canaan Smith-Njigba placed on 7-day IL (right thigh). (8/11)
Greensboro
OF Matt Gorski placed on the 7-day IL. (8/10)
OF Chase Murray placed on the 7-day IL. (8/10)
Bradenton
RHP Drake Fellows transferred from the 7-day IL to the 60-day IL. (8/10)
Rehab Assignments
Indianapolis
Shelby Miller activated from the IL. (8/12)
Ka’ai Tom sent on an MLB rehab assignment to Indianapolis. (8/10)
Altoona
None
Greensboro
None
Bradenton
None
Added to the System
Indianapolis
None
Altoona
None
Greensboro
None
Bradenton
None
Released
OF Dustin Fowler was released from Indianapolis. (8/7) Fowler has since joined the Marlins’ organization, playing with their Triple-A affiliate.
Photo: Henry Davis; Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Pirates
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
