Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Players Pushing for Recalls Shine & More

Players pushing for a return to the major leagues have a big day for Triple-A Indianapolis, a strong starting pitching performance for Low-A Bradenton and more in Sunday’s Pittsburgh Pirates minor league roundup

Sunday afternoon, as is often the case, was a busy one for the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system. This included a 4-1 victory for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians over the Toledo Mud Heads, improving the Indians to 46-50 on the season.

Leading the way for the Indians were a group of players pushing to be recalled to the majors leagues and earning starting reps with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Tucupita Marcano bat leadoff for the Indians and went 3-for-5. Left fielder Travis Swaggerty was 2-for-4 with a walk, while fellow outfielder Jack Suwinski was 2-for-3 with a double, a RBI and two walks.

All three of these players should rejoin the active roster of the Pirates and making space for them on the roster would not be difficult. Furthermore, Swaggerty should be starting in left field every day for the Pirates with Suwinski also starting every day between right field and designated hitter.

Speaking of players who the Pittsburgh Pirates should recall, Roansy Contreras, their top pitching prospect, allowed a run on four hits, he struck out five and did not walk a batter in 3 innings pitched. Understandably so he is on a strict innings limit this season, having him waste those innings in the minor leagues is nothing short of stupid.

But wait… there’s more!

Right-handed reliever Colin Holderman, who was acquired in the Daniel Vogelbach trade, pitched a scoreless inning out of the Indian bullpen. While trading Vogelbach was a very debatable move, what is not debatable is that Holderman should be in the majors. The Pirate bullpen is one of the worst in the National League and Holderman was a key piece in the Met bullpen. Yet, somehow, Ben Cherington believes Holderman should not be in the Pirate bullpen. Please, someone, make it make sense.