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.
This week’s moves saw the Pirates add to their expanded September roster, while also activating one of their biggest prospects off of the IL in Altoona.
Below are all of the transactions from the week of 8/28-9/3.
Promotions
Indianapolis
UTIL Phillip Evans promoted to Pittsburgh. (9/2) Evans has received time at third base since coming back up. I could see the Pirates giving time to veterans in the majors down the stretch, which would allow more rest for their younger guys. The moves to prepare for September brought up a lot of players who are age 25+, and who are probably on their last run with the organization.
RHP Shelby Miller has contract selected by Pittsburgh. (9/1) Miller was brought up to pitch out of the bullpen, where he’s making the transition to a relief pitcher.
RHP Max Kranick promoted to Pittsburgh. (9/1). Kranick was called up for one start, and will be mentioned again in this article, as he’s already been sent back down.
3B Diego Castillo promoted to Indianapolis from Altoona. (8/31) Castillo was acquired in the Clay Holmes trade, along with Hoy Park. He hit .282/.342/.445 in 121 plate appearances with the Pirates in Double-A since the trade. That’s very similar to his numbers with the Yankees at the same level.
2B Hoy Park promoted to Pittsburgh. (8/31) Park is getting his second shot in the majors with the Pirates. His first shot saw him getting a lot of time at the middle infield spots, along with outfield work. He should get more of a super utility look this time around.
SS Cole Tucker promoted to Pittsburgh. (8/28) Tucker has been getting his best opportunity since coming back up, with starts at shortstop, second base, right field, and center field. The athleticism and positional flexibility will keep him on the field, but the bat is what he needs to keep him in the majors. He has a .467 OPS in his first week back, but hits in three of his last four games.
Altoona
None
Greensboro
RHP Dante Mendoza assigned to Greensboro from the FCL. (8/31) Mendoza had three appearances in the FCL, and didn’t have good numbers. I’d expect him to be used as a filler to alleviate innings down the stretch.
Bradenton
LHP Tyler Samaniego assigned to Bradenton from the FCL. (8/31) The Pirates’ 15th round pick in 2021 made his debut this week, throwing two shutout innings.
RHP Christian Charle assigned to Bradenton from the FCL. (8/31) Charle pitched out of the bullpen in the FCL with good numbers. He’s 22 years old, at the lowest levels, and likely being used for innings.
C Dylan Shockley assigned to Bradenton from the FCL. (8/29) Shockley has been used as a filler this year across both A-ball teams, and the FCL.
Demotions
Indianapolis
RHP Max Kranick optioned to Indianapolis from Pittsburgh. (9/2) Kranick has made six starts this year, with 13 days of service time in the majors. He’s an up-and-down player (30 grade) at this stage in his career, and he could develop into a 40-grade reliever, or a 50-grade starter in the future.
Altoona
None
Greensboro
None
Bradenton
RHP Parker Brahms assigned to FCL from Bradenton. (8/31) Brahms made 18 appearances out of the Bradenton bullpen, with a 9.24 ERA.
RHP Ryan Troutman assigned to FCL from Bradenton. (8/31) Troutman made 16 appearances out of the Bradenton bullpen, with a 9.00 ERA.
IL Assignments
Indianapolis
C Joe Hudson activated from the 7-day IL. (9/3) Hudson has a .584 OPS in Indianapolis this year.
3B Erik Gonzalez placed on the 7-day IL. (8/29) This could end Gonzalez’s time with the Pirates.
Altoona
RHP Roansy Contreras activated from the 7-day IL. (9/1) This is probably the best news of the last week. Contreras emerged as one of the best stories in the system the first two months, before going down with a forearm strain. He returned and gave up one run in two innings of work.
Greensboro
RHP Alex Manasa placed on the 7-day IL. (8/28) Manasa has been used as a roster filler all over the system, prior to this IL trip.
Bradenton
C Abrahan Gutierrez placed on the 7-day IL. (8/28) The Pirates acquired Gutierrez from the Phillies, after trying to add him in a prior deal that fell through due to medical issues. We never found out whose medical issues, as Gutierrez was coming over with a pitcher at that point.
Added to the System
Indianapolis
None
Altoona
None
Greensboro
None
Bradenton
None
Released
None
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.
