Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Roansy Contreras Dominates & More

Apr 14, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Roansy Contreras (59) reacts after striking out a batter to end the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Roansy Contreras (59) reacts after striking out a batter to end the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 4
Pittsburgh Pirates
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – JUNE 26: Roansy Contreras #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 26, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Roansy Contreras continues to prove that him being in the minor leagues is an absolute joke and more in Friday’s Pittsburgh Pirates minor league roundup

Roansy Contreras continues to make the Pittsburgh Pirates look foolish for having him in the minors. Friday night he was dominant in a 6-1 victory for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. With the win, the Indians are now 50-51 this season.

Prior to being optioned back to the minor leagues last month Contreras had been the Pittsburgh Pirates best starting pitcher. When he was optioned the Pirates claimed it was due to wanting to watch his workload. That is perfect fine and reasonable after he didn’t pitch in the 2020 COVID season and missed significant time to injury last season.

That said, at this point it’s clear that Contreras is not at Triple-A to watch his workload. He is in the minors so that the Pirates can avoid Super 2 with Contreras. Regardless of the reasoning, the Pirates wasting any of the innings that Contreras has left in his arm this season in the minor leagues is ridiculous.

Friday night Contreras made this situation even more embarrassing for the Pirates when he struck out nine batters, did not walk a batter, and allowed just three hits in 4 innings pitched. If the next time Contreras pitches it is not in the majors that would be nothing short of inexcusable.

Making a rehab outing Nick Mears walked two batters and struck out two in 2/3 of an inning pitched. Travis MacGregor allowed  hit, walked three and struck out three in 2.1 scoreless innings pitched. Joe Jaques finished the game off with 2 scoreless innings pitched.

Hoy Park started in right field and bat leadoff for the Indians. Park was 2-for-5 with a run scored, two RBI and his 4th Triple-A home run of the season. Rodolfo Castro was 1-for-5, Diego Castillo was 2-for-4 with a run scored, and Mason Martin was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Speaking of players who should be in the majors and not in the minors, Jack Suwinski was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Schedule