Entering this season, Josh Palacios had less than 100 career at-bats at the major league level. Brought in during the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft, he added some depth to the outfield in the upper levels of the system.
He’s now getting a shot in the majors, and after going hitless in his first four games with the Pirates, Palacios has hit safely in five of his last eight, including picking up his first career home run in their come from behind win against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
Josh Palacios is fired up about his first MLB home run for the @Pirates!
426 feet | 105.4 mph pic.twitter.com/46wnYY2RcL
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 3, 2023
As he’s gotten more comfortable at the plate, we are starting to see a little more power showing, as each of his last three hits have all gone for extra-bases.
May was a dreadful month for the Pirates, but they ended things on a high note, taking two out of three games against the San Francisco Giants. In their first game of the month, they erased a 5-0 deficit, scoring seven unanswered runs that was capped off by Palacios’ home run.
The offense struggled for the most part of last month, and they are going to need players up and down the lineup chipping in offensively if they want to get back to how they looked in April.
Prospect Notes
— Termarr Johnson picked up his second home run of the season on Friday, a three-run shot in the first inning to give Bradenton an early lead.
Things are slowly starting to come around for him, even though the strikeouts are still lingering. One thing to monitor going forward is the defense. He was one of the more hyped prep players to come out the draft in recent history due to the bat, and really profiled as a second baseman going forward.
Not only did he pick up another home run, continuing to hit the ball hard, he also committed his 10th error of the season.
He’s played some shortstop this season and hasn’t completely looked out of place there, so I wouldn’t be too worried about the errors just yet. If they continue to mount, it will continue to add pressure in the bat to come through for him.
— Jared Jones continues his fantastic start to the season, pitching six innings of one-run baseball. While the strikeouts weren’t quite there (three), he only allowed two hits and two walks in the start.
The righty has the perfect mix of upside and floor to make him a legitimate candidate to be the Pirates top pitching prospect once Luis Ortiz graduates.
— Speaking of top pitching prospects, Quinn Priester makes just about as good a case as any, and bounced back after a dreadful start last time around to toss six shutout innings and pick up his sixth win of the season.
The Pirates won’t rush him to the majors but the path for him to make it to Pittsburgh got a lot shorter with the amount of injuries they’ve suffered. Like I said, they won’t rush him, but the opportunity may be there at some point this season, it’s up to Priester to be ready when it comes.
Daily Video Rundown
Gonzo showing off his range. 😤 pic.twitter.com/pA296mtCdK
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) June 2, 2023
Nick Gonzales makes a fantastic defensive play at second base in the first inning.
.@mattfraizer3 with a big fly! pic.twitter.com/EJHBNyY1ft
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) June 2, 2023
With Altoona already leading the game, Matt Fraizer doubles their score with a three-run shot, his fourth of the season.
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
By Tim Williams
We’ve got some new features we’re trying out on the site this weekend.
**Pirates Business: Examining the Super Two “Deadline”
**Pirates Trade Robert Stephenson to the Tampa Bay Rays; Mark Mathias Rejoins the Team
**Pirates Release Six Minor League Players
**Abrahan Gutierrez Hitting Ground Running Returning From Injury
SONG OF THE DAY
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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.
This will make Wilbur (and others) day.
The Pirates announced a series of roster moves this morning as the club selected the contract of left-hander Angel Perdomo and recalled right-hander Yerry De Los Santos to the big league club. In corresponding moves, infielder Chris Owings was designated for assignment while right-hander Cody Bolton was optioned to Triple-A Indianpolis.
Question on Ro…. Are they working with him to develop a third and fourth pitch? He’s a two pitch pitcher which means bullpen arm, NOT starter
Got this from RumBunter about Q and Ro.
‘They have the same issue, a fastball that isn’t good enough for the majors. Think Ro would benefit big time from dropping his four-seamer for a cutter or a sinker.
IMO, Ro has the much higher ceiling of the two due to his slider/curveball combo. Still think Contreras can be a no. 2 or 3 type SP, Priester’s ceiling is a back end SP’
Ro hardly throws the curve, threw it 6% last night, the other 94% was fastball/slider
I suppose I can be accused of being a contrarian, but I managed to find some negatives in this mostly positive piece. The Josh Palacios story is certainly heartwarming, but he’s a 27-year-old MLB apprentice outfielder that bats left-handed on a team crying for a right-handed outfielder. At least he can competently field a position, an attribute not many Pirate minor leaguers manage to obtain. Now, I hope he succeeds, but let’s wait for the league adjustment, Palacios readjustment, etc. before we get too excited. With one exception, it’s good to see Termarr Johnson doing well. The exception of course, is the strike outs. He’s the third of recent Pirate first-rounders that was purported to be the best or one of the best ‘contact’ hitters in the draft who has difficulty making … well, contact. What gives? Johnson, Swaggerty, and Gonzales all have strikeout issues. Either Pirate scouting is ‘out-to-lunch’ or a serious development improvement is required. As for the pitchers: may at least one or two of them arrive in the majors with some control and at least minimal command.
And, maybe Palacios is a late bloomer, a la Mike Easler or Mike Yastrzemski? Only one way to find out and we don’t have anyone in front of him screaming to play.
I thought he was a AAAA player, but he seems have some intriguing possibilities. As for a RH OF, again, we don’t have many options.
I get it. Bigger picture, Palacios is probably out the picture by end of the season.
Who cares, enjoy the moment. Stuff like that is what makes this game special.
The difference between Termarr and the rest is they were college hitters. Termarr is 18 years old playing in Single-A. There’s going to be struggles. Let’s see how he adjusts once he’s caught up to everyone after missing all of spring with an injury.
Good point about Termarr.
You were adamant that they would not rush Priester. What does “rush him” mean? What does he need to accomplish to be called up?
The brain trust knows. It isn’t always about stats. He’ll be up when (hopefully) ready.
Palacios very likely isnt the solution in the outfield going forward, but good for this guy taking advantage of an opportunity and making the most of it!
Maybe another Mike Yaz if we’re lucky?
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The pure unadulterated joy shown by Palacios rounding the bases and in the dugout is why we love baseball. Such a great moment for the young man.
Really pleased to see QP bounce back from a downright awful outing with a gem yesterday. Almost certainly going to be called upon to pitch in Pittsburgh this summer. He needs to be ready to rock n roll in case Pirates are actually in a pennant race.
Makes you wonder what the heck happened in that last outing?
Baseball?
Nothing beats seeing moments like that in sports. The amount of work and dedication to get to that point. He’s earned that 10 times over.