Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Cody Bolton Shoves, Travis Swaggerty Stays Hot & More
By Marty Leap
![BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Travis Swaggerty #50 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: Travis Swaggerty #50 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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frumbunter-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1386904248-850x560-a531b08308dcf7f224494930b9c13684.jpg)
Curve offense explodes
At the Double-A level the Altoona Curve improved to 23-25 with a wild victory over the Bowie Baysox. The Curve secured a 13-12 victory in a game that saw 9 runs scored across the final 3 innings of the game, improving to 23-25 on the season.
Will Kobos allowed 2 runs ons in 1.2 innings pitched. Omar Cruz followed and his recent struggles continued. Cruz allowed 5 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks, 2 home runs, and 5 strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched. Cruz has now allowed 17 earned runs in 18 innings pitched his last 5 outings, ballooning his ERA on the season to 5.90.
Enmanuel Mejia continued to struggled as well, surrendering 4 runs and 2 home runs in 2 innings pitched. J.C. Flowers allowed a run in 1.1 innings pitched, lowering his ERA on the season to 3.38. Lefty Tyler Samaniego recorded the final two outs of the game and has started his Double-A career with 1.2 scoreless innings pitched.
Utility man Andres Alvarez continued his career season going 3-for-5 with 9th home run of the season, 2nd triple, 2 runs scored and 5 RBI. Alvarez, who entered the season with 8 career professional home runs, now has a 1.106 OPS on the season and should be promoted to Triple-A soon.
Designated hitter Aaron Shackelford also had a 3 hit night, driving in a pair and scoring 3 runs. Matt Gorski was 2-for-4 with a walk and his 18th home run of the season, 1st at Double-A. Matt Fraizer was at the top of the lineup going 1-for-4 with his 3rd triple of the season, a walk, a RBI and a run scored. Jared Triolo was 1-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored, and it was a rare hitless night for Liover Peguero.
Another Curve hitter pushing for a promotion is catcher Blake Sabol. Sabol was 4-for-5 with his 8th home run of the season. Sabol now has a .921 OPS on the season. With the Pittsburgh Pirates struggling to find any sort of production out of the catcher position, it could be worth giving Sabol a look in the majors.