Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Indy Home Runs, Nick Gonzales Stays Hot & More

BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Mason Martin #73 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Mason Martin #73 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Ji-Hwan Bae #81 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Ji-Hwan Bae #81 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

The upper minors of the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system had a better Friday night on the field than their parent club did

Leading the way for the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league affiliates on Friday night was the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. Following a 5-2 victory over the Toledo Mud Hens, the Indians are now 20-18 on the season.

Ji-Hwan Bae started at shortstop and bat lead off for the Indians. Bae led the game of with his 4th home run of the season as part of a 3-for-4 performance. Mason Martin was 1-for-4 with a 2-run home run for the Indians, his 7th of the season. At this point, Bae and Martin should replace Josh VanMeter and Yoshi Tsutsugo on the active roster of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Outfielder Travis Swaggerty also had big offensive game for the Indians. The former top-10 overall pick was 2-for-3 with his 1st triple and 2nd home run of the season. Fellow outfielders Cal Mitchell and Canaan Smith-Njigba each had a hit as well, while Kevin Newman went 1-for-3 with a double as he continues his rehab assignment.

Trey McGough started for the Indians and turned in a terrific start. The lefty allowed 2 hits in 4 scoreless innings pitched, lowering his ERA on the season to 3.06. Cam Alldred walked a pair and struck out a pair in 2 scoreless innings pitched. After Aaron Fletcher allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, in his inning of work, Yerry De Los Santos truck out 3 in 2 scoreless innings pitched. Like Bae and Martin, De Los Santos is a player who should be promoted to the majors.

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