Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Bubba Chandler, Anthony Solometo Pitch & More
Notable pitching performances from 2021 draft picks at Low-A, two more Andres Alvarez home runs, and more in Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Pirates minor league roundup
Triple-A Indianapolis picked up a 5-4 walk-off victory in 10 innings over the Louisville Bats on Tuesday night. Following the victory, the top farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates improved to 47-50 on the season.
Jerad Eickhoff started for the Indians allowing two hits and striking out four in 2 scoreless innings pitched. Nick Mears struck out a pair and allowed a run in 1 innings pitched. Cody Bolton and Travis MacGregor each pitched 2 scoreless, hitless innings of relief, combining to strike out three batters without issuing a walk.
Joe Jaques pitched the 8th inning, allowing 2 runs on four hits and a walk. Cam Vieaux took over in the 9th inning and pitched a scoreless inning. Vieaux allowed a solo home run in the 10th inning, but this was the lone hit he allowed in 2 innings pitched.
Outfielder Travis Swaggerty, who deserves to be promoted back to the majors, went 2-for-4 with his 11th double of the season and two runs scored. Swaggerty now has a .784 OPS at Triple-A this season.
Rodolfo Castro started at shortstop as he too continues to push to be re-called to the majors. Castro was 2-for-5 with his 13th double, 2nd triple, two runs scored and a RBI. Diego Castillo was 1-for-5 with two RBI, Jack Suwinski was 1-for-4 and catcher Carter Bins was 1-for-4 with a RBI.
Double-A Altoona falls 5-2
Tuesday night saw the Double-A Altoona fall to the Akron RubberDucks 5-2. With the loss, the Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliates are now sitting at three games under .500 on the season at 47-50.
Aaron Shortridge started for the Curve, allowing 4 runs on four this, five walks and two strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched. Enmanuel Mejia followed Shortridge, walking a batter and striking out two in 1.1 scoreless, hitless innings pitched.
Carmen Mlodzinski was next up. Mlodzinski pitched 2 innings. In Mlodzinski’s 2 innings pitched the lone hit he allowed was a solo home run, he walked a batter and struck out four in his 2 innings pitched on the night.
J.C. Flowers would pitched the final 3 innings for the Curve. The lefty allowed a hit, did not walk a batter and struck out five in 3 scoreless innings pitched. In 60 innings pitched for Altoona this season Flowers now owns a 2.85 ERA and 52 strikeouts.
Third baseman Jared Triolo bat leadoff for the Curve, going 1-for-4 with a walk and his 15th double of the season. Second baseman Andres Alvarez was 3-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored, two RBI, his 12th double of the season and a pair of home runs to give him 17 on the season.
Outfielders Matt Fraizer and Connor Scott, as well as designated hitter Fabricio Macias each had a hit as well. Scott also drew a walk for the Curve.
Poor pitching, defense leads to 11-6 loss for Greensboro
Following a night of poor pitching performances, the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers were defeated by the Bowling Green Hot Rods 11-6. The loss dropped the Grasshoppers to 42-53 on the season.
Jack Carey started for Greensboro, allowing 4 runs, although none were earned, on four hits, a home run and five strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched. Carey was followed by Domingo Gonzalez who allowed 3 runs on three hits, two walks and a home run in 2.1 innings pitched.
Logan Hofmann allowed a home run, walked a pair and was charged with a pair of runs while recording just two outs. Matt Eckelman then pitched 2 innings, allowing a pair of runs on three hits and three walks. Oliver Mateo recorded the final out of the game and was the lone Grasshopper pitcher to not be charged with a run.
Greensboro also committed five errors in their loss. Dariel Lopez committed four errors, giving him a whopping 24 on the season. Yoyner Fajardo also committed a fielding error, giving him three errors on the season.
Center fielder Jase Bowen bat leadoff for the Grasshoppers, going 1-for-5 with a RBI. Lopez was 2-for-4 with his 14th double of the season. Endy Rodriguez and Abrahan Gutierrez both went 1-for-4 with a run scored, this included Gonzalez hitting his 22nd double of the season.
Fajardo also had a pair of hits, scoring a run and driving in a run. Hudson Head went 2-for-3 with a walk, three runs scored, three RBI and his 9th home run of the season. A rare highlight it what has been a poor season for Head.
1-run victory for Low-A Bradenton
The Bradenton Marauders did not have an easy go of things on Tuesday night. However, the Low-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates were able to secure a 2-1 victory over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. With the win, the Marauders are now 49-47 on the season.
Leadoff man Tsung-Che Cheng was 1-for-1 with a walk and a run scored. Right fielder Jase Bowen was 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored, and designated hitter Juan Jerez drove in a run. Catcher Wyatt Hendrie had a hit and a RBI, and second baseman Maikol Escotto had two hits including a double.
Highly touted 2021 draft pick Bubba Chandler started for the Marauders on Tuesday. Chandler allowed a run on a hit, four walks and three strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched. The two-way prospect now has 13 strikeouts in 9.2 innings pitched with Bradenton this season.
Darvin Garcia followed Chandler. Garcia retired both batters he faced to clean up the 4th inning. Anthony Solometo, who was also a highly touted member of the 2021 draft class, pitched 3 scoreless innings to end the game. Solometo walked a batter and struck out a pair.