Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: 2022 Draft Pick Has Strong Low-A Debut & More

Notre Dame's Jack Brannigan (9) celebrates after hitting a homer that put the Fighting Irish in the lead at the top of the seventh inning during the NCAA Knoxville Super Regionals between Tennessee and Notre Dame at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Sunday, June 12, 2022.Utvsndbaseball 1434
Notre Dame's Jack Brannigan (9) celebrates after hitting a homer that put the Fighting Irish in the lead at the top of the seventh inning during the NCAA Knoxville Super Regionals between Tennessee and Notre Dame at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Sunday, June 12, 2022.Utvsndbaseball 1434 /
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BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Jared Triolo #85 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)
BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Jared Triolo #85 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) /

Double-A Altoona swept in Saturday doubleheader

In game one of the doubleheader Quinn Priester started and turned in his poorest start since being promoted to Altoona. Priester pitched 4.2 innings, allowing 3 runs on eight hits, a walk and five strikeouts. While it was not necessarily a poor start, it was the poorest start he has had since being promoted to Altoona.

J.C. Flowers followed Priester and allowed a run on two hits a walk and a strikeout. The 2022 season has been a strong one out of the Curve bullpen for Flowers. The lefty owns a 2.89 ERA in 62.1 innings pitched.

Third baseman Jared Triolo was 0-for-2 with a walk in the game one loss. He also made yet another tremendous defensive play at third base.

With Ke’Bryan Hayes having third base locked down for a long time at the major league level, it will be interesting to see what the Pirates do with Triolo, who is a minor league Gold Glove Award winner at third base, long-term. Andres Alvarez was 2-for-3 and Connor Scott was 1-for-3. Scott’s hit was his 4th home run of the season, accounting for the lone Curve run in the game one loss.

In game two the Curve were defeated 4-2, falling to 48-53 on the season after being swept on the day. Triolo also bat leadoff in game two, but started at shortstop as he went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Liover Peguero was 1-for-3 with a RBI. Alvarez also drove in a run when he drew a bases loaded walk in the 7th inning.

Alvarez’s walk was part of a near 7th inning rally by the Curve. Matt Fraizer, Josh Bissonette, Scott, and Alvarez drew four consecutive walks with one out in the inning. With the Akron RubberDucks lead cut to 4-2 and the Curve having the bases loaded with just one out, Triolo would hit into a game ending double play.

Colin Selby served as an opener for the Curve in game two, allowing  run on four hits, a walk, and two strikeouts in 1.2 innings pitched. Selby owns a 2.70 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched for Altoona this season. Carmen Mlodzinski pitched the final 5.1 innings of the game, allowing three runs on four hits, no walks, a home run and three strikeouts.