Two highly touted members of the Pittsburgh Pirates 2021 draft class pitch for Bradenton
After being rained out on Thursday night the Low-A Bradenton Marauders were scheduled to play a doubleheader on Friday. While inclement weather led to game two of the doubleheader not being played, game one saw a pair of notable pitching performance.
Bubba Chandler started for the Marauders, making his Low-A pitching debut. Chandler hit the first batter he faced and then allowed a two-run home run. However, he flashed his great stuff with his power fastball sitting in the high 90s. Overall, Chandler allowed 4 runs on fort hits, three walks, a home run, a hit batter, and four strikeouts in 4 innings pitched.
Anthony Solometo would pitch the final 4 innings of the game for the Marauders. Soloemto was perfect in his 4 innings of work, striking out six batters in the process. The 19-year-old lefty now owns a 3.26 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 19.1 innings pitched for the Marauders this season.
Both Chandler and Solometo were selected in last summer’s draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Solometo could quickly rise ot become not just one of the best pitching prospects in the organization, but one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in baseball. Chandler, who served as Bradenton’s designated hitter in his Low-A debut Tuesday night, has the potential to be one of the most special prospects both in the Pirate system and in baseball due to his two-way ability.
Despite the excitement of Chandler and Solometo pitching, the Marauders lost to the Jupiter Hammerheads 4-3 on Friday to fall back under .500 on the season at 41-42. Shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng was 0-for-4 out of the leadoff spot, while two-hole hitter Jase Bowen and number three hitter Deivis Nadal were both 0-for-3.
Rodolfo Nolasco remained red hot for the Marauders. Nolasco was 2-for-4 with his 14th double and 11th home run of the season. First baseman Jaun Jerez was 1-for-2 with a walk and a RBI. Right fielder Jasiah Dixon also had a hit.