There’s a full schedule today, with all seven affiliates playing. Lots of empty spots in the scheduled pitchers, but we will fill them in as the games start up. Anthony Solometo makes his fourth appearance for Bradenton. He threw four no-hit innings in his last game, as part of Bradenton’s four-man no-hitter last week.
YESTERDAY’S RESULTS
Prospect Watch: Matt Gorski Hits His 20th Homer; Strong Games for Bolton and Rodriguez
TRIPLE-A: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Game Time: 7:05 PM
Box Score: LINK
Starting Pitcher: Osvaldo Bido (1-3, 4.60)
- Final Line: 3 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO
Notable Performances:
Oneil Cruz 2-for-5, 2B
Ji-hwan Bae 2-for-5, 3B, RBI
Travis Swaggerty 2-for-5, 3B, RBI
Rodolfo Castro 0-for-3, RBI
Game Recap:
Indianapolis was down big early and couldn’t come back from that deficit, dropping a 10-5 decision. Starter Osvaldo Bido got roughed up, allowing six runs (five earned) in three innings of work. Blake Weiman wasn’t any better afterwards, allowing three runs (two earned) in his one inning. Nathan Kirby allowed a run over 1.2 innings. John O’Reilly was used for one out, then Nick Mears and Cristofer Melendez each tossed scoreless frames. Indianapolis tied the game 1-1 with a sacrifice fly by Rodolfo Castro in the second. In the third inning, a run scored on a balk. That was followed by an RBI triple by Ji-hwan Bae, then an RBI single by Bligh Madris. The last run by the Indians came on a bunt single by Travis Swaggerty with Bae on third base. Bae, Swaggerty, Oneil Cruz and Taylor Davis each had two hits.
DOUBLE-A: ALTOONA CURVE
Game Time: 6:00 PM
Box Score: LINK
Starting Pitcher: Luis Ortiz (2-3, 5.06)
- Final Line: 6 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
Notable Performances:
Matt Fraizer 0-for-4
Henry Davis 1-for-5, 2B
Matt Gorski 0-for-4
Jared Triolo 0-for-3, RBI
Liover Peguero 1-for-4
Lolo Sanchez 1-for-3, HR, RBI, BB
Game Recap:
Altoona lost 4-2 on Thursday night. Luis Ortiz was having a strong outing until he came out for the seventh inning and the first three batters reached base against him before he was pulled. Unfortunately for Ortiz, all three came around to score, leaving him with four earned runs over six innings, after giving up one run in six frames to start the day. Will Kobos allowed two runs to score, as he record just two outs. Omar Cruz came on for the final out of the seventh and stranded all three runners, then pitched two more scoreless. Lolo Sanchez drove in the first run with his third homer. Jared Triolo added the second run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly. Henry Davis hit his first double for Altoona. Blake Sabol had a single and a walk.
HIGH-A: GREENSBORO GRASSHOPPERS
P2Daily: It’s Greensboro Grasshoppers and Matt Gorski Week on Pirates Prospects
Game Time: 6:30 PM POSTPONED
Box Score: LINK
Starting Pitcher: Justin Meis (0-0, inf.)
- Final Line: Stat lines will be added after the game.
Notable Performances:
- Stats for the top performers will be posted after the game.
Game Recap:
Game was postponed due to a power outage. They will play a doubleheader tomorrow
LOW-A: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Game Time: 7:00 PM
Box Score: LINK
Starting Pitcher: Anthony Solometo (1-0, 0.82)
- Final Line: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO
Notable Performances:
Tsung-Che Cheng 0-for-6
Jase Bowen 2-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB
Sergio Campana 1-for-5, RBI, BB, 2 SB
Rodolfo Nolasco 2-for-4, RBI, BB, SB
Game Recap:
Anthony Solometo made his third appearance for Bradenton and it was his roughest outing. He left with no outs and two men on in the third inning. Both runners were stranded by reliever Mitchell Miller, but Solometo still ended with two runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batter, in two innings of work. Mitchell allowed three runs in one inning. Sergio Umana gave up a run during his 2.2 innings of work. Wilkin Ramos tossed 1.1 scoreless with four strikeouts. Yunior Thibo gave up two runs in two frames. The offense had a crazy line. Tsung-Che Cheng returned after missing two full weeks and only played 3 1/2 innings on Tuesday before sitting out yesterday. So there’s probably some rust. He went 0-for-6 with four strikeouts in this game, and everyone else in the lineup contributed at least one run and one RBI in the 12-8 win.
Jase Bowen had himself quite a game, with two hits, two walks, two stolen bases and a sacrifice fly RBI. He has a .767 OPS now, with 17 stolen bases. Angel Basabe had a big game as well, hitting three singles, with two runs and two RBIs. Rodolfo Nolasco, Brenden Dixon, Norkis Marcos and Grant Koch each had two hits, Sergio Campana stole two bases, giving him 14 steals on the year. Mike Jarvis hit his second homer of the season. Bradenton won despite 16 strikeouts on the night.
RK: FCL PIRATES
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Box Score: LINK
Starting Pitcher: Cristopher Cruz (0-1, 27.00)
- Final Line: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO
Notable Performances:
Jesus Castillo 0-for-4
Solomon Maguire 3-for-4, 3B, SB
Shalin Polanco 1-for-4
Bubba Chandler 1-for-3, 3B, BB
Alexander Mojica 1-for-4
Enmanuel Terrero 0-for-3, BB
Omar Alfonzo 0-for-4
Javier Rivas 0-for-3
Game Recap:
Cristopher Cruz had a nice start, and Sebastian Rodriguez did well in relief, then this game fell apart for the Pirates in the last three inning. Cruz gave up three runs in one inning in his debut last week. He turned that around with one run over 3.2 innings on Thursday. Rodriguez followed with 2.1 scoreless. This game was 1-1 through six innings before it turned into a one-sided bludgeoning. Jose Garces pitched the seventh and the start of the eighth, recording a total of three outs while giving up ten runs. Luckily for his ERA, just three of those runs were earned. Kevin Disla followed him in the eighth and failed to record an out, leaving it to Jorge Ramos to get the final six outs. He allowed one run, as did Disla. Solomon Maguire and Bubba Chandler each recorded their first triple. Maguire stole a base and scored the lone run, coming home from third on a wild pitch. He had half of the team’s six hits. Chandler drew one of the two walks.
RK: DSL PIRATES BLACK
Game Time: 10:30 AM
Box Score: LINK
Starting Pitcher: Jonathan Salazar (0-0, 6.00)
- Final Line: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO
Notable Performances:
Wesley Zapata 2-for-5, 2B, RBI
Robert De Paula 0-for-3
Eduardo Oviedo 0-for-2
Rodolfo De La Cruz 0-for-3, BB
Miguel Sosa 3-for-4, 2 2B, RBI
Ewry Espinal 0-for-1, 2 BB
Delfin Ramirez 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Game Recap:
The Pirates lost 5-4 on a walk-off in the ninth, their first nine-inning game of the year. Jonathan Salazar allowed three runs (two earned) to start the game. Luis Joseph followed with two scoreless, then Adolfo Oviedo and Luis Brito each allowed a run in one inning of work. Brito came on in the eighth is credited with just one inning, though the run scored in the ninth off of him with no outs. The Pirates scored their first run in the third on Wesley Zapata’s third double. Miguel Sosa doubled in a run in the fifth. Delfin Ramirez homered in the eighth, driving in two runs. Zapata and Ramirez had two hits each, Sosa had a three-hit day, including two doubles. The Pirates struck out 16 times in the game.
RK: DSL PIRATES GOLD
Game Time: 10:30 AM
Box Score: LINK
Starting Pitcher: Dermis Ordonez (0-0, 9.00)
- Final Line: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
Notable Performances:
Roinny Aguiar 1-for-3
Yordany De Los Santos 0-for-3
Carlos Tirado 0-for-2, BB, RBI
Gustavo Armas 0-for-3
Eddy Rodriguez 0-for-3
John Zorrilla 0-for-3
Axiel Plaz 0-for-2
Ruben Vizcaya 0-for-2
Game Recap:
Starter Demis Ordonez came into the day with a 9.00 ERA from his first game last week, and he could improve on that on Thursday. He went 2.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits and two walks. Two relievers pitched well in the seven-inning contest, as Alberto Sabas and Fares Sanchez, making his pro debut, combined for 4.2 shutout frames. The Pirates lost 1-0 and they had just one hit all game. They only had two base runners. Roinny Sanchez singled to start the fourth. He moved up on a wild pitch, over on a ground out and in on another ground out. Carlos Tirado had the RBI and the lone walk.
Jase Bowen quietly going about his business. Up to 260 avg
And he’s the league leader in HRs among US born players.
Also, he’s on target for a 20-40 season
Now those are interesting stats. He’s currently 17th in OPS for FSL, which makes him the lone, qualified, A ball representative between Bradenton or Greensboro in Top 25 of their respective leagues.
Castro just butchered a rundown and got Blake Weiman injured..
Watching Indy live tonight, and Bido is not good. OTOH, Cruz and TSwag definitely look the part of top prospects.
short outing for solo, he got pulled after a walk then a hit batter so hopefully its just for him being wild…. though not sure why they wouldnt let him work out of it
Gorski’s load/swing are super long but no trouble being on time this year! Its so different being able to watch these guys live lol
Said almost the same thing the last time Murph included him in the daily videos.
Hose from hank on his knees to get that guy at second, wow
That was a pretty throw on the dot. Those moments make you think, “Ok. This could work”
Especially if we get an automatic strike zone where arm becomes a catcher’s carrying tool… almost like BC is banking on that being the case
Lolo Gogo deep!
Ortiz’s BAA and whip are both essentially the same/a tick lower than last year but his ERA is 2 runs higher, anyone have thoughts on why? He has given up a bunch of homers so that could be it
First couple months last year, he’d look great for part of a start, but when anything went wrong stuff would just snowball. He eventually worked out of that. Not exactly an analytical explanation, but that’s what seemed to happen. I think learning to work through trouble is something of a skill.
Almost like Bido, but with better stuff. Ortiz can look dominant and almost unhittable at times, like the one K tonight looking on a painted 97 MPH sinker. But then will have spurts where everything is hittable.
Yeah, Bido’s a more extreme example of the same thing. Good stuff but freaking erratic.
Bido gave up tons of loud contact tonight. Defense did him no favors, but Gwinnett hitters were having no trouble barreling the ball.
Ortiz’s stuff does look fantastic tonight based on the eye test, hopeful he can develop some more consistency because his stuff will play
He gets beat up by lefties, other than that 🤷♂️
Greensboro postponed
MLBTV I has the Altoona game on.
I have only time to watch an inning……..and it’s delayed! 😧
And rain delayed after 1-2 an inning.
Looks like Swaggerty trying out RF tonight
You think the org wants him to brush up in the corners?
Looks like it. That they want him at least comfortable there. Wondering if it’s signaling their intentions of keeping Reynolds, and keeping him in CF.
Not much need for Swag or Reynolds when Oneil is starting in CF next April.
😉
haha 100% my other thought
All for keeping reynolds, not so sure about keeping him in CF. Especially if this hypothetical involves us extending him for a few years, swaggy in CF and reynolds in left would be our strongest defensive alignment from what I can tell
That’s what I’ve been calling for. I know the argument against it is mostly, “But what if you anger Reynolds?”
Pretty much the cutch/marte situation over again, but dont think swaggy has the ceiling that marte did. We have reynolds for 3 years after this one i think? Though I suppose 1-2 after this one depending on how quickly the young kids make the team into a possible contender. I dont think he has any reason to worry about his value at this point if thats why it would supposedly upset him
FCL bucs gave up 6 unearned in the 7th, outch
Anyone else refreshing twitter every 5 minutes to see if there is an announcement on Cruz? Well I am and I’m not afraid to admit it.
Seeing if he’s out of Indy’s lineup tonight could be a big indicator if nothing on twitter before, though that could also just be false hope
Burrows was promoted right after his latest Altoona start, so, we never know with them lol
Chandler in as DH today
Trip trip triple!
Hope Christopher Cruz has a much better outing today. Much.
2 outs before he hit a guy. Progress.
This made me lol
Compared to his first start, much much better.
Absolutely, his numbers dont show too much from this year and last, reasons to be invested in him?
I’ll just post Wilbur’s player page summary since I personally don’t have much info on him other than really this:
“Cruz got the largest bonus of the Pirates’ July 2 signings, although Po-Yu Chen later got a larger one. Cruz throws four- and two-seam fastballs and has reached 94 mph. He also throws a slider, curve and change, and has a good feel for pitching, as well as good projection.”
BP with a rather unflattering review of Priester. can’t say i’m too surprised though.
“He is a double-plus athlete on the mound and still has a clean, simplified delivery. The frequent comp I’ve heard is Aaron Sanchez (pre-injuries): I couldn’t agree more. What does an Aaron Sanchez comp mean for Priester? It means he’s not that exciting for someone once lauded as a high-upside, cold-weather prep arm. He is almost certainly a no. 3 or 4 starter in the big leagues barring injuries.”
A 3 or 4 starter is a good outcome, even if it’s not really sexy. As for Aaron sanchez, I’ve heard that comp thrown around a lot because of his fastball shape. Which, as I understand it, means you either want a heater to rise or sink. Priester’s does neither and the same happened with Sanchez.
to answer the responses:
based on where he was selected in the draft….sure, a mid rotation starter is a good outcome.
however, i feel like most of the pirates pitching prospects have that potential. at some point a few of them are going to have to step forward and anchor that rotation. the term ‘ace’ is overused, but for lack of a better term right now i’ll go with that.
i had hoped priester could be that pitcher (and no my expectations for him were formed before the 2020 offseason where callis said he could be the best pitcher in the minors the next season).
so i guess it just depends on your expectations for priester. mine were higher than ‘aaron sanchez’. i guess it’s time to reset those expectations!
lol, wait a minute, a mid-rotation starter would be a hell of an outcome!
getting a no. 3 or 4 starter in the back half of the first round is a pretty good outcome! Aaron Sanchez had a 5-war season once.
Idk, “certainly a no. 3 or 4 starter” is probably higher praise than we’d previously have given it lol