Welcome to the Pirates Prospects daily video rundown, where we pull some of the top videos of the Pittsburgh Pirates across the internet.
Antwone Kelly
There are several prospects in the system that are getting to participate in the World Baseball Classic. Antwone Kelly is among them, and one of the youngest to participate. After striking out 29 batters in 23.1 innings pitched last year in the FCL, Kelly is playing for the Netherlands currently.
Efficient inning for Antwone Kelly for the Netherlands. The run on his fastball is impressive. At 19-years-old, should get a look at him in Bradenton this upcoming season. #Pirates @pirateprospects pic.twitter.com/VkXtfdE3kK
— Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) March 11, 2023
Kelly got into his first bit of game action, pitching a clean seventh inning. Throwing all fastballs, the 19-year-old righty showed some impressive movement on the pitch, with the first and last pitch getting 17 and 16 inches of arm side run, respectively.
Bubba Chandler
The righty is focusing on pitching this year, which could help unlock his immense potential on the mound. Here he is facing a hitter in an intrasquad game.
Next up Bubba Chandler, pitching only now. That breaker looks awfully sharp: pic.twitter.com/PKKS6Xp60p
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) March 11, 2023
Anthony Solometo
Out of the same 2021 draft class as Chandler, Anthony Solometo had one of the better debut seasons in the system last year, not allowing a home run at all in his time in Bradenton.
Took a drive over to Pirate City. Wound up seeing Anthony Solometo punching tickets in some intrasquad action. … Was essentially an Immaculate Inning. Nine pitches, nine strikes, three strikeouts, though they’re continuing to play. Solo looks really, really good. pic.twitter.com/1skt4gLe3r
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) March 11, 2023
Tsung-Che Cheng
Another game, another hit for infield prospect Tsung-Che Cheng for the Chinese Taipei team. Here he bunts for a base hit, which drives in a run as well.
Small ball vs. Honkbal@Pirates No. 30 prospect Tsung-Che Cheng helped Chinese Taipei upend the Dutch to move to 2-1 in #WorldBaseballClassic pool play. pic.twitter.com/UJCJVHkhQk
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 11, 2023
Anthony began writing over 10 years ago, starting a personal blog to cover the 2011 MLB draft, where the Pirates selected first overall. After bouncing around many websites covering hockey, he refocused his attention to baseball, his first love when it comes to sports. He eventually found himself here at Pirates Prospects in late 2021, where he covers the team’s four full season minor league affiliates.
Who’s the SS for Netherlands?? He looks slick. Sign him up Pirates.
Solometo = Candyman part deux (I hope!)
Wouldn’t it be fun if Bubba and AS got into a game of “whatever you can do I can do better” competition this year?