It’s probably not something that you can say too often when the minor league system combined for a 1-2 record (with one game incomplete), but the pitching was really strong Tuesday night.
Up and down the system there were plenty of worthwhile pitching performances worth mentioning despite just the Bradenton Marauders coming out with a victory.
Bubba And Solometo Combine For Shutout
The most impressive performance of the night belongs to the combined shutout put together by a pair of 2021 draft picks, Bubba Chandler and Anthony Solometo. The pair had been rotating who starting and who came out the bullpen, with Chandler up this Tuesday against Tampa.
Chandler has had some problems with his control, walking 12 batters in his first 12 1/3 innings with the Marauders but didn’t issue a free pass in his four innings of work on Tuesday. Solometo allowed just four hits in the final five innings, and has allowed just two earned runs in 12 innings pitched (1.50 ERA).
Both got late starts to the minor league season, but they’ve also shown rapid maturation when it comes to there on the field performance.
Jared Jones vs Mike Soroka
The Grasshoppers got an interesting test on Tuesday, facing major league pitcher Mike Soroka, who was pitching for Rome on a rehab assignment. Eight of the first nine outs he recorded were by strikeouts, and the offense didn’t get much going while he was in the game.
On the pitching side of things, starter Jared Jones went toe-to-toe with him the first couple of innings. The pair both struck out the side in the first, and combined for nine in the first two innings of the game.
It’s been an interesting season for Jones, as there are two ways you can really look at it. He’s topped 100 innings for the first time as a professional, an impressive feat. He leads the system in strikeouts right now, and is one of three players to have at least 100 on the season. Jones was also one of a handful to complete that milestone last year as well.
He’s also struggled with the home run ball, and has actually posted worse numbers on the road than at the usual hitter’s haven in Greensboro.
His stuff still remains so good, to the point where it seems hard to think of him not making it to the majors, it would just depend on what kind of role he’d find at the next level. He’s struggled in the fourth and fifth innings this season, allowing nearly half of his earned runs (28-of-59), in that time frame.
That kind of speaks to some of the talk that he may end up a reliever long-term, but until that happens maybe the most important statistic for Jones is the 100+ innings he’s thrown at 21-years-old at High-A.
Pitching Notes
— Other notables pitching wise, Kyle Nicolas struggled with walks (five) but allowed just three hits and two runs while striking out five in five innings for the Curve on Tuesday. In 13 innings in the month of August, Nicolas has allowed just three earned runs.
–I’m not sure Cody Bolton was ever an option to start in Pittsburgh this season, but you would have to think he would get a shot out the bullpen at some point. He’s started here and there but has done most of his work out the bullpen. He pitched three innings on Tuesday, allowing a hit while striking out five.
The Pirates could find themselves struggling to finish out the season when it comes to pitching, and it may come to an all hands on deck situation with anyone who can pitch multiple innings. Bolton needing to be added to the 40-man this offseason could play in his favor on that.
Pirates Prospects Spotlight
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Today: Afternoon Start for Indianapolis; Quinn Priester Goes for Altoona
Yesterday: Full Slate of Games, With Jared Jones, Johan Oviedo, Kyle Nicolas and Bubba Chandler on the Mound
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Today: Francisco Acuna Home Run, Andres Alvarez Defense, Liover Peguero RBI
Yesterday: Anthony Solometo Strikes Out Four In Latest Start
Pirates Discussion
Today: Ro Day Has Returned
Yesterday: Nine Game Homestand Kick Off
Pirates Prospects Daily Articles
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- Rodolfo Castro Suspended One Game
- Williams: The Pirates Need to Get Aggressive in Free Agency
- Mike Burrows Discusses His Mindset on the Mound
- Dariel Lopez Putting In The Work To Improve Defensively
- Jack Brannigan: Flexing Strong Exit Velocity Numbers Early In Pro Career
- Javier Rivas is Emerging as a Sleeper in the Pirates Farm System
- Pirates Prospects Player of the Week: Luis Ortiz
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Williams: The Pirates Need to Get Aggressive in Free Agency
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Javier Rivas is Emerging as a Sleeper in the Pirates Farm System
