Welcome to the Pirates Prospects daily video rundown, where we pull some of the top videos of the Pittsburgh Pirates across the internet.
Daily Video Rundown
Cristofer Melendez
It was an electric start to the year for Cristofer Melendez, who came in for the Indianapolis Indians late in their Opening Day loss to the Omaha Storm Chasers.
The 24-year old Melendez struck out the first three batters he faced and was one pitch away from completing an immaculate inning. He ended up needed only 11 pitches, nine of which were strikes, to get out of the eighth inning.
SO CLOSE! Cristofer Melendez finished one pitch short of an immaculate inning. Still strikes out the side #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/Vj9PwiCPwh
— Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) April 6, 2022
He struggled with his control in the ninth and was lifted before getting the last out.
Melendez combined for a 3-3 record, with a 3.89 ERA while striking out 52 batters in 41 2/3 innings between Greensboro and Altoona in 2021. Hitters registered an .181 average against Melendez, also holding them to an .576 OPS.
Cal Mitchell
Things didn’t get off to a smooth start for the Indians offense, only recording a lone run, off a Cal Mitchell home run.
Cal Mitchell has the first home run of the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league season. Here’s a look at the at bat. #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/7Fj2Kkp1up
— Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) April 6, 2022
It was the lone hit of the night for the outfielder, who went 1-for-4 with a strike out along with the home run. Mitchell hit 12 home runs during the 2021 season, starting the year with Altoona before finishing it with Indianapolis.
Cody Bolton
It’s already an early favorite for best story of the very young season, as after not pitching since in a regular season game since 2019, Cody Bolton got the nod for Opening Day for the Indians.
The last time he was able to pitch, Bolton put up great numbers. Splitting time between Bradenton and Altoona, Bolton posted an 8-6 record with a 3.28 ERA, striking out 102 batters in 101 2/3 innings.
Despite just 40 innings at the Double-A level, the Pirates gave him the bump up to Triple-A, were he was good in his debut.
Pitching on a limit, Bolton threw 48 pitches across 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out three.
A really quick look at Cody Bolton, just the whiffs. In his return to the mound, Bolton struck out 3 in 2 2/3. #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/J6LRfPMy5Q
— Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) April 6, 2022
Bolton generated seven swing and misses in his start. He hit as high as 96 mph on his fastball in the first inning before settling in around 92-93.
