Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Travis Swaggerty Walk Off & More

Former first-round pick Travis Swaggerty had a walk off hit for the Indianapolis Indians, Cal Mitchell hit another home run and more in today’s Pittsburgh Pirates minor league round up

The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians played their fourth game of the season on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Low-A, High-A, and Double-A affiliates of the Pittsburgh Pirates all kicked their seasons off on Friday night.

Chase De Jong started for Indy on Friday night and pitched a strong game. He allowed a run on 4 hits, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts in 4 innings pitched. Cam Alldred allowed a hit to go with 5 strikeouts in 3.2 scoreless innings pitched, and Cristofer Melendez surrendered an unearned run while striking out a pair in 1.1 innings pitched.

Offensively, it was a big night for Cal Mitchell. The left-handed hitting outfield prospect hit his 2nd home run through the first four Indian games of the season. Oneil Cruz was 2-for-4, Rodolfo Castro was 1-for-3 with a walk, and Ji-Hwan Bae started in center field while going 1-for-4.

Starting at designated hitter, outfield prospect Travis Swaggerty won the night for the Indians. Swaggerty was 2-for-5 including a walk off hit in a 3-2 Indianapolis victory. This hit improved the Indians to 2-2 on the season.

At the Double-A level the Altoona Curve dropped their season opener against the Harrisburg Senators 9-6. 2020 draft pick Carmen Mlodzinski started for the Curve and lasted 3.2 innings. He allowed 5 runs on 5 hits, a walk, a home run and 3 strikeouts. Bear Bellomy followed allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, 2 home runs and 4 strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched. Zach Matson then allowed a solo home run in 2 innings pitched.

Matt Fraizer started in center field and hit leadoff for the Curve. Fraizer was 1-for-4 with a home run and walk. The only reason Fraizer started the season at Altoona instead of Indianapolis is due to outfield depth in the Pirate farm system. It would not be a surprise to see Fraizer playing with the Pittsburgh Pirates at some point this season.

Another outfield prospect that was bumped to Altoona due to outfield depth is Jack Suwinski. Acquired in the Adam Frazier trade, Suwinski was 2-for-5 with a double. Already on the 40-man roster, it would not be a surprise to see Suwinski in Pittsburgh at some point this season as well.

Top 100 shortstop prospect Liover Peguero was 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run, and he drove in a pair. 2020 first-round pick Nick Gonzales was 1-for-5 in his Double-A debut and Tucupita Marcano, also acquired in the Frazier trade and also on the 40-man roster, was 2-for-3 with a walk.

At the High-A level the Greensboro Grasshoppers were blowout by the Rome Braves 16-6. Adrian Florencio made the start, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts in 1.2 innings pitched. Garrett Leonard also surrendered 3 runs with 2 being earned on 3 hits and a walk in 1.1 innings pitched. In 2 innings pitched Eddy Yean struggled allowing 5 runs on 4 hits and a home run. Wandi Montout, Grant Ford, and Oliver Mateo all allowed runs as well.

Endy Rodriguez started in left field, going 1-for-4 with a triple and a walk. 2021 no. 1 overall pick Henry Davis started behind the dish, going 1-for-3 with 2 RBI. Shortstop Maikol Escotto was 1-for-4 with a RBI and center field Matt Gorski drove in 3 runs while walking twice.

The Low-A Bradenton Marauders fell 8-4 against the Dunedin Blue Jays in their season opener. Outfielder Rodolfo Nolasco was 1-for-4 with a triple and a RBI, Jase Bowen was 1-for-3 with a RBI, and designated hitter Juan Jerez doubled while driving in a pair.

Righty Justin Meis started for the Marauders, allowing 6 runs on 7 hits, a walk, 2 home runs, and 2 strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched. Wilkin Ramos allowed 2 hits, walked 3 and struck out 2 in 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.