Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Roansy Contreras Dominates & More

2 of 4

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.

BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Kyle Nicolas #95 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) /

Altoona and Akron score all their runs in the 9th inning leading to a walk-off victory for the Curve

Friday night the Double-A Altoona Curve and Akron RubberDucks were locked in a pitcher’s duel. Entering the 9th inning the game was scoreless. While both teams scored in the 9th inning, the RubberDucks scored 1 run while the Curve scored 2 on their way to 2-1 walk-off victory to improve to 48-51 on the season.

Kyle Nicolas started on the mound for the Curve. Nicolas pitched just 2 innings, but he did not allow a hit, walked a batter and struck out four. Jeffrey Passantino followed with 4 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit and striking out three.

Brade Case pitched 2 scoreless, hitless innings out of the Curve bullpen while striking out three. Tahnaj Thomas allowed a run in the top of the 9th inning, but did not walk a batter and picked up a strikeout. The transition to the bullpen has gone well for Thomas this season, he now owns a 3.26 ERA to go with 39 strikeouts and just 15 walks in 38.2 innings pitched this season.

Prior to the bottom of the 9th inning the lone Altoona hit was a Blake Sabol single. After Grant Koch walked to start the inning, Jared Triolo hit a triple and the game was tied at 1. After Andres Alvarez walked, Sabol hit a sacrifice fly to score Triolo and give the Curve a 2-1 victory.

PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 17: A detailed view of the Nike cleats and Stance Socks worn by Jake Marisnick #41 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park on April 17, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Two-run 1st inning not enough for Greensboro Grasshoppers as they fall to Bowling Green Hot Rods

After defeating the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Thursday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers came up short against the Hot Rods on Friday night. The Grasshoppers were defeated 5-2, falling to 43-55 on the season.

Dariel Lopez continued his strong offensive season. The second baseman was 2-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored. Center fielder Luke Brown was 1-for-4 with a double, catcher Abrahan Gutierrez was 1-for-4 and shortstop Francisco Acuna was 1-for-3. That was it for the Grasshopper offense.

Local product Justin Meis started for the Grasshoppers and struggled. Meis allowed 3 runs on five hits, two walks, a home run, and five strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. Meis now owns a 5.97 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 37.2 innings pitched across 10 starts for Greensboro.

Cristian Charle followed Meis, allowing a hit, walking a pair and striking a batter out in 1.1 scoreless innings pitched. Eddy Yean’s poor season continued as he allowed 2 runs on two hits and a walk while recording just two outs. Yean now owns a 6.33 ERA 42.2 innings pitched this season. Oliver Mateo would get the final out of the 8th inning.

Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Extra innings victory for Bradenton

Friday night saw the Bradenton Marauders score a pair of runs in the top of the 10th inning on their way to a 4-3 victory over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. With the win, the Low-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates improved 50-49 on the season.

With Wyatt Hendrie on second base to start the inning, Juan Jerez led the 10th inning off with his 9th double of the season. Jerez’s hit scored Hendrie and gave the Marauders a 3-2 lead. Bradenton would score another run in the inning via a throwing error.

Shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng was at his usual leadoff spot, going 1-for-4 with a run scored and a walk. Rodolfo Nolasco was 1-for-3. Jase Bowen went 2-for-5 and Bubba Chandler was 1-for-4, both Bowen and Chandler drove in a run.

Valentin Linarez started for the Marauders and turned in a strong start. Linarez pitched 6 innings, allowing an unearned run on three hits, three walks and five strikeouts. Johan Montero allowed an unearned run in the 7th inning, however, he did also walk three batters.

Next. Endy Rodriguez Should Be Promoted to Double-A. dark

Wilkin Ramos pitched the final 3 innings for the Marauders. While he allowed the extra inning runner to score, that was the only run that Ramos allowed. He allowed three hits, walked a batter and recorded a strikeout.

Home / Pirates Prospects