Pittsburgh Pirates AFL: Two Days of Good Hitting

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been seeing a lot of good hitting so far from their prospects in the Arizona Fall League.  The last two days have been really strong.

On day one of the Arizona Fall League, the Pittsburgh Pirates prospects were very active.  In the first game, every pitcher to take the mound for the Surprise Saguaros was a Pittsburgh Pirates prospect.  Meanwhile, they saw a couple of their hitters get in as well.  The last two days, none of the pitchers were used in any action. However, the Pittsburgh Pirates hitting prospects have continued their hot start.

Two days ago on Wednesday, the only prospect to get into the game from the Pittsburgh Pirates was first baseman Will Craig.  Craig actually started the game batting in the designated hitter spot and hitting eighth.  He did not record a hit on Tuesday, but he followed up with two hits on Wednesday. Craig had a single and a two-run home run in the Saguaros victory over the Salt River Rafters.  He had a total of two runs batted in and scored two runs as well.  Meanwhile, Craig only struck out once.

Then, yesterday, the Pittsburgh Pirates had two prospects in the starting lineup.  The Saguaros started Cole Tucker at shortstop and had him batting second.  He had a really impressive game showing off all facets.  First off, he went 2-5 with three runs batted in, walked once, and did not strike out.  Also, he stole two bases, already giving him a total of three stolen bases through his first two games.

Bryan Reynolds, acquired in the Andrew McCutchen trade, finally made his Arizona Fall League début as well.  He did not appear in the first two games for the Saguaros but finally got in yesterday.  The Vanderbilt product started in left field and batted sixth.  He posted two hits in six at-bats and scored two runs.  Reynolds did leave six players on base and struck out once.

Later in the game, Will Craig did appear as a pinch hitter and entered the game as the first baseman. Craig reached base on an error in his only at-bat going 0-1. The Saguaros won the game against the Glendale Desert Dogs in ten innings by a score of 11-10.  The Surprise Saguaros play today at 3:30  against the Glendale Desert Dogs once again.  Chances are some of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospects will get into the game after not throwing since the game on Tuesday.

* All stats are courtesy of MLB.com