Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Big Nights for Justin Meis & Oneil Cruz

Friday night the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians fell to 7-8 on the season with a 4-3 loss against the Columbus Clippers. It was not all bad for the top farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the loss, however, as Oneil Cruz had a much needed strong game at the plate.

Playing shortstop and batting leadoff, Pittsburgh’s top prospect was 2-for-5 with a RBI. Both of Cruz’s hits left his bat at over 100 MPH, making it the first time in a week or so he has shown off the blistering contact he has become known for.

Travis Swaggerty started at designated hitter and went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks. Although all three are off to hot starts this season, third baseman Rodolfo Castro, first baseman Mason Martin, second baseman Ji-Hwan Bae, and right fielder Cal Mitchell were a combined 0-for-14. Michael Pérez started at catcher and went 2-for-3 with a walk and a RBI, Canaan Smith-Njigba also had a hit for the Indians.

On what was technically a rehab start, Max Kranick started for the Indians. The hard throwing righty allowed a pair of solo home runs and struck out a pair in 1.2 innings pitched. What was most important is that the velocity was there for Kranick.

Cody Bolton replaced Kranick and struggled, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks in 2.2 innings pitched. After Bolton, John O’Reilly, Austin Brice, Jared Eckelmen, and Cristofer Melendez combined to strikeout 4 batters and allow just a single hit in 4.2 scoreless innings of relief.

Double-A Altoona improved to 6-7 on the season with their third consecutive victory. After hitting a home run-on Thursday, Blake Sabol started at catcher and was 2-for-4 with a triple, a RBI, and a walk. Outfielder Jack Suwinski was 2-for-4 with a RBI, first baseman Aaron Shackelford was 1-for-2 with a walk and a 3-run home run.

Starting at second base Tucupita Marcano was 1-for-4 with a solo home run. Outfielder Matt Fraizer was 2-for-3 with his 2nd double of the season.

Luis Ortiz started for the Curve, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. Noe Toribio allowed 2 hits, a walk, and struck out 5 in 3 scoreless innings pitched. Enmanuel Mejia was able to get the final out of the game for a save.

Following a 7-4 loss against the Aberdeen IronBirds, the Greensboro Grasshoppers are now just 4-9 in High-A play this season. Santiago Florez started for the Grasshoppers, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits, a walk and 2 strikeouts in his 1 inning pitched. Wandi Montout pitched 3 innings, striking out 3 and allowing a solo home run. Jack Carey and Oliver Mateo then combined to allow 4 runs on 5 hits, 3 walks, a home run, and 6 strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.

Offensively, outfielder Hudson Head was 3-for-4 to continue his hot start to the season. Speaking of hot starts to the season, center fielder Matt Gorski hit his 4th home run of the season, Henry Davis started at DH and was 2-for-3 with a RBI, and catcher Endy Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with a RBI.

At the Low-A level the Bradenton Marauders improved to 8-5 on the season with a 4-1 victory over the Daytona Tortugas. Local product Justin Meis, a Bethel Park graduate, pitched a gem for the Marauders allowing 2 hits, not walking a batter, and striking out 10 in 5 scoreless innings pitched. Wilkin Ramos, Carlos Lomeli, and Cristian Charle allowed an unearned run while striking out 6 in 4 innings pitched in relief of Meis.

Shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng went 2-for-5 as he continued his strong start to the season. First baseman Jacob Gonzalez had a rare poor game going 0-for-3 with a walk and a RBI. second baseman Brenden Dixo was 1-for-4, center Fiedler Jase Bowen was 2-for-4, and left fielder Luke Brown was 2-for-3 with a walk and 2 RBI.