The Pirates are riding a ten game losing streak, and are calling up prospect Nick Gonzales to join the team in Miami.
Gonzales has been on a hitting tear recently, batting .270/.440/.460 in the month of June. He’s got a 21% strikeout rate and a 20% walk rate during that time. Gonzales has some of the best plate patience and hand/eye coordination in the entire Pirates system. The dream when he was drafted was a multiple batting champion, with Freddy Sanchez being used as a comp.
What I’ve seen from the development of Gonzales is a move away from going for a high average, and a move toward more impactful contact. This might not win batting titles, but it will give Gonzales a better chance to post impactful overall numbers — just like the ones we’ve seen in Triple-A.
The Pirates have been going with Rodolfo Castro a lot at second base. He’s had an OPS around .500 this month, and has been a part-time player. Gonzales profiles as a full-time guy, and could have a shot at moving into the full-time second base role the rest of the year. At the least, I think Gonzales can upgrade the second base position, even if there would still be room for him to upgrade his game.
Down in the minors, Kyle Nicolas and Anthony Solometo are making their second starts at their new levels. I’ll have coverage from Miami tonight, with John Dreker covering the minor league results.
PIRATES (34-40) AT MIAMI
Game Time: 6:40 PM EST
Pirates Starter: Luis Ortiz, RHP (1-3, 4.30)
Marlins Starter: Jesus Luzardo, LHP (6-5, 4.09)
Pirates Lineups:
Hey Gonzo 👋
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📻 93.7 The Fan | The PRN #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/Uyi1OudTqt— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 23, 2023
Marlins Lineups:
On Fridays we wear teal.
👀:@BallySportsFL ,@BallyMarlins
👂:@FoxSports940, @radiomambi710
⏰: 6:40PM ET#MakeItMiami // https://t.co/5rOTQv6054 pic.twitter.com/hkNFEPzwH8— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 23, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS (31-40) VS COLUMBUS
Game Time: 7:05 PM EST
Projected Starter: Kyle Nicolas, RHP (0-1, 11.25)
Latest Features:
6/21: Changeup Helps Jared Jones In Strong Triple-A Debut
6/7: Aaron Shackelford adjusts swing and relocates power
6/6: Carmen Mlodzinski improves all the way with aggressive approach
ALTOONA (33-32) VS BOWIE
Game Time: 6:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: Anthony Solometo, LHP (0-1, 3.60)
Latest Features:
6/22: Power Continues To Come Through For Liover Peguero
6/9: Jared Jones Continues Incredible Development With Altoona
6/1: Matt Gorski Displays Athleticism And Versatility
GREENSBORO (36-28) VS WINSTON-SALEM
Game Time: 6:30 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBA
Latest Features:
6/15: Anthony Solometo Promotion A Win For 2021 Draft Class
6/14: Bubba Chandler Looking To Limit Big Innings
6/4: Braxton Ashcraft Showing Velocity and Control in Return From Tommy John
BRADENTON (35-30) AT LAKELAND
Game Time: 6:30 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBA
Latest Features:
6/22: Young Bradenton Hitters Making Progress
6/20: Termarr Johnson: Patience Brings Career Day At The Plate
6/10: Jack Brannigan Continues Hot Streak With Another Home Run
FCL PIRATES (10-3)
Game Time: 12:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBA
Latest Features:
6/16: Is This The Year For A Solomon Maguire Breakout?
6/12: Pirates 2023 Minor League Preview: FCL Pirates
6/11: Pitching Depth Continues To Grow With Jun-Seok Shim Debut
DSL PIRATES BLACK (5-8)
Game Time: 11:00 AM EST
Projected Starter: TBA
Latest Features:
**Pirates 2023 Minor League Previews: Dominican Summer League Pirates
DSL PIRATES GOLD (8-5)
Game Time: 11:00 AM EST
Projected Starter: TBA
Latest Features:
**Pirates 2023 Minor League Previews: Dominican Summer League Pirates
THE NEW PROSPECT WATCH
With all of our game reports now going into this daily article, the Prospect Watch has been repurposed as a daily look at three prospects throughout the system. Check the site each day at noon for the latest edition. We’ll keep the archives updated here.
6/22: Braxton Ashcraft, Jase Bowen, Maikol Escotto
6/21: Termarr Johnson, Connor Scott, Enmanuel Terrero
6/20: Cal Mitchell, Travis MacGregor, Alessandro Ercolani
6/19: Henry Davis, Bubba Chandler, Julian Bosnic
6/18: Jared Jones, Matt Gorski, Tony Blanco Jr.
6/17: Liover Peguero, Dominic Perachi, Carlos Mateo
6/16: Kyle Nicolas, Anthony Solometo, Jack Brannigan
DAILY PIRATES NEWS
Anthony Murphy looked at the offensive struggles during the Pirates’ ten game losing streak.
**Pirates Prospects Daily: Offensive Struggles During the Ten Game Losing Streak
The Pirates are addressing that by promoting Nick Gonzales.
**Pirates are Promoting Nick Gonzales
MLB Pipeline has a mock draft that doesn’t have Dylan Crews going to the Pirates.
**There’s a New Mock Draft from MLB Pipeline and the Pirates Pick Isn’t Dylan Crews
More Recent Pirates Features
6/23: Offensive Struggles During the Ten Game Losing Streak
6/18: The Book on Henry Davis
6/17: Carmen Mlodzinski Becomes First Cherington Pick To Reach Big Leagues
6/15: Where Are The Hitting Prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates Farm System?
6/14: The Book on Osvaldo Bido
6/11: Interview With Andrew McCutchen
PIRATES RECAP
By Tim Williams
Final Score: Pirates 3, Marlins 1
Player of the Game: Luis Ortiz, RHP (8 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K)
Recap: Luis Ortiz had one of his best starts of his career, and for a moment, it looked like it would be wasted by another quiet night from the offense. Ortiz gave up one run on eight innings of work, sending the Pirates to the top of the ninth inning needing just one run to tie things.
They ended up getting three.
Josh Palacios started the ninth with a pinch hit single off Marlins closer A.J. Puk. He moved to second on an infield single by Andrew McCutchen. Both runners moved up on a double steal with Connor Joe at the plate. Joe hit a hard grounder to short, but Palacios broke on contact and the Marlins didn’t have a chance to stop the tying run.
With two outs, and a tie game, McCutchen stole third base. He scored on a single by Carlos Santana, complete with a bat flip as the veteran gave the Pirates the lead. It was also the first hit by a Pirates player with runners in scoring position in a week. Singles by Henry Davis and Tucupita Marcano brought Santana around to score, giving the Pirates a two run cushion.
That was enough for David Bednar. The closer picked up his first save since June 11th, in only his third appearance during that stretch.
Nick Gonzales made his debut, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. Davis picked up a walk and two hits.
PIRATES PROSPECT WATCH
By John Dreker
TRIPLE-A: INDIANAPOLIS
Final Score: Indianapolis 18, Columbus 5
Player of the Game: Miguel Andujar 4-for-6, 2B, 4 RBI
Recap:
It’s not often that your starting pitcher gets knocked out early with five runs allowed and you win a laugher, but the Indians pulled it off on Friday. They won 18-5 over Columbus.
Kyle Nicolas made his second start for Indianapolis. Neither has gone well. Five runs over three innings has led to 12.86 ERA since he has been promoted.
The bullpen was strong in this one as the offense pulled away. John O’Reilly, Colin Selby and Chase De Jong each tossed two shutout frames, combining for two hits, no walks and seven strikeouts.
You can pick your poison on offense.
Miguel Andujar had four hits, including his 20th double. He drove in four runs. He now has a 1.030 OPS.
Jared Triolo also had four hits, including two triples. He had three runs and two RBIs.
Endy Rodriguez had three hits and three RBIs. He picked up his 11th double.
Chris Owings, Alika Williams and Ryan Vilade each homered. Williams and Vilade drove in three runs.
Aaron Shackelford had two doubles, two runs and two RBIs.
DOUBLE-A: ALTOONA
Final Score: Bowie 7, Altoona 6
Player of the Game: Anthony Solometo 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO
Recap:
Anthony Solometo had an impressive second start for Altoona, but the Curve blew a 5-0 lead to lose in extra innings.
Solometo allowed just two hits and one walk over five shutout innings, while striking out six batters. He gave up two earned runs over five innings in his Altoona debut last weekend.
The bullpen all had a rough time, as four pitchers combined for seven runs over five innings on 12 hits and five walks.
Jacob Gonzalez homered and drove in three runs.
Matt Fraizer stole three bases to give him ten steals on the season. He had two singles, a walk and an RBI.
Tsung-Che Cheng made his Altoona debut. He went 0-for-3 with two walks and an RBI.
Liover Peguero had two walks and he stole his 18th base.
HIGH-A: GREENSBORO
Final Score: Winston-Salem 6, Greensboro 5
Player of the Game: Maikol Escotto 4-for-4, HR, RBI, SB
Recap:
Greensboro lost 6-5, as poor defense early cost them the game. Eddy Yean got the start and allowed four runs over two innings, but just one run was earned. Maikol Escotto and Wyatt Hendrie committed first inning errors that led to three unearned runs and a deficit the Grasshoppers couldn’t overcome.
Valentin Linarez, Jake Stevenson and Dante Mendoza each tossed two scoreless innings.
Escotto did his best on offense to make up for the early miscue, going 4-for-4 with his sixth homer and sixth stolen base.
Brendan Dixon only had one hit, but it was the big one for Greensboro. He hit a three-run homer in the fifth, his fourth homer of the season.
Jase Bowen hit a solo homer, his 15th of the season.
SINGLE-A: BRADENTON
Final Score: Bradenton 12, Lakeland 5
Player of the Game: Alexander Mojica 3-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Recap:
Bradenton took a big league early and never looked back in their 12-5 win. Wilbur Dotel pitched a solid game, allowing one run over five innings on three hits, no walks and four strikeouts. Elijah Birdsong allowed three runs over two innings, but the game was one-sided by that point.
Alexander Mojica had a huge day, getting fat off of Lakeland pitching with two homers, two singles and two walks. He had four runs and three RBIs. He now has six homers.
Jack Brannigan hit his sixth homer and drove in three runs.
Enmanuel Terrero went 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs.
Termarr Johnson went 1-for-5 with a single and a walk.
Shalin Polanco went 0-for-6
Rodolfo Nolasco hit his 12th double.
ROOKIE: FCL PIRATES
Final Score: Orioles 6, Pirates 1
Player of the Game: Braylon Bishop 3-for-3, SB
Recap:
The Pirates lost 6-1 in a quick seven-inning contest on Friday. Isaias Uribe got the start. He went 2.1 innings, with four runs (two earned) on three hits, four walks and zero strikeouts.
Jackson Grounds tossed 1.2 scoreless. Roelmy Garcia had some control issues that led to two runs in the fifth. Andy Maldonado threw 1.1 scoreless.
The offense had a quiet day except for Braylon Bishop. He had three hits and a stolen base.
The Pirates had just five hits total, all singles. Luis Tejeda had a hit and a walk.
Lonnie White Jr went 0-for-2 with a walk and an outfield assist.
ROOKIE: DSL PIRATES BLACK
Final Score: Pirates 14, Giants 6
Player of the Game: Angel Rodriguez 4-for-4, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 5 Runs
Recap:
Starter Bladimir Pichardo tossed 3.1 no-hit innings, giving up one unearned run on a walk, two hits batters and four strikeouts. Yoerys Hernandez added 2.2 scoreless frames. Three other relievers combined for five runs over three innings in the 14-6 win
Angel Rodriguez had himself a career day. He reached base in all five trips to the plate, finishing with two doubles, a homer run and five runs scored.
Carlos Caro was a close second for the day, going 4-for-5 with a double, two stolen bases, two runs and three RBIs.
Robert De Paula had a single, double, steal, two HBP, two RBIs and three runs scored.
Miguel Rodriguez had two hits and drove in a pair.
ROOKIE: DSL PIRATES GOLD
Final Score: Pirates 1, Tigers 0
Player of the Game: Adolfo Oviedo 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 6 SO
Recap:
I don’t think I’ve ever given a Player of the Game award to a pitcher who issued five walks, but here we are. The Pirates won 1-0 on Friday behind five no-hit innings from Adolfo Oviedo. He issued five walks and struck out six batters. He has allowed one hit over 11.2 innings this year, with 11 walks and ten strikeouts. That one hit was an infield hit.
Jose Regalado allowed the only hit during his 1.2 scoreless. Jesus Clode record the final out of the seven-inning game.
Juan Machado and Eduardo Oviedo (no relation to Adolfo) each had two hits. The Pirates had just four hits total and no walks or HBP.
The Pirates only run scored when Oviedo doubled after a Machado single, though the run was unearned/ no RBI due to an error on a throw.
Tim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.
John started working at Pirates Prospects in 2009, but his connection to the Pittsburgh Pirates started exactly 100 years earlier when Dots Miller debuted for the 1909 World Series champions. John was born in Kearny, NJ, two blocks from the house where Dots Miller grew up. From that hometown hero connection came a love of Pirates history, as well as the sport of baseball.
When he didn't make it as a lefty pitcher with an 80+ MPH fastball and a slider that needed work, John turned to covering the game, eventually focusing in on the prospects side, where his interest was pushed by the big league team being below .500 for so long. John has covered the minors in some form since the 2002 season, and leads the draft and international coverage on Pirates Prospects. He writes daily on Pittsburgh Baseball History, when he's not covering the entire system daily throughout the entire year on Pirates Prospects.