Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Poor Curve Defense Hurts Roansy Contreras

Despite the team playing poor defense Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher prospect Roansy Contreras turned in another strong start four Double-A Altoona on Tuesday night

Through the first nearly seven weeks of the minor league season few prospects that the Pittsburgh Pirates have in their farm system have turned more heads than pitcher Roansy Contreras. Contreras, who was acquired in the Jameson Taillon trade, has been flat out dominant for Double-A Altoona this season.

Tuesday night Contreras toed the rubber for the Altoona Curve. Entering the start Contreras owned a 2.03 ERA, 2.13 FIP, 0.45 HR/9, 5.8% walk rate and a 37% strikeout rate in 40 innings across 7 starts.

In his start on Tuesday night Contreras had to battle both the Harrisburg Senators, as well as some poor defense by the Curve. Despite the poor defense Contreras was able to turn in another strong start as he continues to make his case for a promotion to Triple-A.

The final line for Contreras on Tuesday night saw him allow 4 runs, but just 1 earned run, in 5 innings of work. In his 5 innings of work Contreras allowed just 6 hits did not walk a batter and struck out 7. On the season he now owns a 5.2% walk rate and a 36.8% strikeout rate.

Of the 4 runs that Contreras allowed 3 of them came in the 3rd inning. All 3 of his 3rd inning runs were unearned due to errors by Rodolfo Castro and Oneil Cruz. With better defense behind him Contreras not only could have gone another inning or two deeper into the game, he also may not have allowed a run.

Cruz may have struggled with the glove, now having 11 errors on the season, but he made up for it at the plate. The slugging Pirate prospect was 2-for-4 with a walk in the loss. He now owns a .918 OPS as he continues to make a push to be promoted to Triple-A.

Castro also made up for his defensive woes by going 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles. This gives Castor 10 doubles and an OPS of .920 on the season to go with 36 RBI. Like Cruz, you would like to see Castro at Tiriple-A sooner rather than later.