Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Quinn Priester Shoves Again & More

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 07: Travis Swaggerty #50 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park on June 7, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 07: Travis Swaggerty #50 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park on June 7, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Quinn Priester shoved at Double-A, Travis Swaggerty had another big night at Triple-A and more in Wednesday’s Pittsburgh Pirates prospect roundup

Wednesday night the top farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Indianapolis Indians, picked up a 10-5 victory over the Iowa Cubs. With the win, the Indians pulled within a game of .500 on the season at 55-56.

Leading the way for the Indians was outfielder Travis Swaggerty. The former first-round pick was 3-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored and two RBI. He hit his 13th double of the season, 8th home run and improved his OPS to .786. There is zero reason for Swaggerty to not being playing every day for the Pittsburgh Pirates, not the Indianapolis Indians, down the stretch this season.

Hoy Park bat leadoff, going 3-for-3 his 6th Triple-A home run of the season, three runs scored, a walk and three RBI. Cal Mitchell was 2-for-4, Brendt Citta was 2-for-4 with three RBI and Diego Castillo was 1-for-5.

Osvaldo Bido started for the Indians, allowing a a run on four hits, a walk and four strikeouts in 5 innings pitched. Nick Mears walked three, but struck a batter out in a scoreless inning pitched. John O’Reilly, Travis MacGregor, and Joe Jaques each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Hunter Stratton, however, had a rough go of things allowing 4 runs and failing to record an out.

BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Quinn Priester #61 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: Quinn Priester #61 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) /

Quinn Priester turns in another strong start in latest outing for Double-A Altoona

Following a 3-2 victory over the Harrisburg Senators on Wednesday night the Double-A Altoona Curve are now 54-56 on the season. Leading the way for the Curve was highly touted pitching prospect Quinn Priester.

Priester pitched 7 innings for the Curve, allowing 2 runs on three hits, three walks, a home run and six strikeouts. Priester’s changeup looked as good as it has all season in the start, and the outing dropped his ERA to 2.50 in 50.1 innings pitched for the Curve this season. Priester continues to push for a late season promotion to Triple-A, and perhaps even a September start or two with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Tahnaj Thomas followed Priester and continued his phenomenal work thus far this season. After striking a batter out in 2 scoreless innings pitched, Thomas owns a 3.19 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 42.1 innings pitched out of the Altoona bullpen this season. J.C. Flowers struck out a pair in a scoreless 9th inning, lowering his season ERA to 2.71.

Offensively, it was another first-round pick leading the way. 2020 first-round pick Nick Gonzales had his best game yet since returning from the injured list and re-joining the Altoona lineup last week.

The second baseman served as the team’s designated hitter, going 4-for-5 with three doubles, giving him 11 on the season, and a RBI. After Gonzales battled injuries this season and struggled pre-injury, it would be great to see him finish the season strong.

Shortstop Liover Peguero was 2-for-4 with a RBI, as was left fielder Andres Alvarez. Connor Scott, Blake Sabol and and Jared Triolo each had a hit as well.

(Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

Greensboro gets walked off by the Rome Braves

The 2022 season has a been a struggle for the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers. After being walked off 4-3 by the Rome Braves on Wednesday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates High-A affiliate is now a porous 46-62 on the season.

Local product Justin Meis started for the Grasshoppers and turned in a decent start. Meis pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 3 runs on five hits, two walks, a home run and five strikeouts. After Santiago Florez pitched 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, the game entered the bottom of the 9th inning tied at 3.

Cam Junker took over on the mound in the bottom of the 9th. To start the inning, the Braves got a baserunner via a Grasshopper error. After Junker walked a batter, a sacrifice bunt put Brave runners on second and third with just one out. Following an intentional walk, Rome walked it off with a base hit.

Shortstop Francisco Acuna bat leadoff for the Grasshoppers, going 1-for-3 with two walks and a solo home run. Center fielder Jase Bowen was 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. Jacob Gonzalez, Hudson Head, and Eli Wilson each had a hit as well.

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)
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) /

Big 7th inning carries Low-A Bradenton to victory

The Low-A Bradenton Marauders improved to 58-51 on the season with a 7-3 victory over the Tampa Tarpons on Wednesday night. Continuing to own the best record in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system, the victory came following a four-run 7th inning.

Designated hitter Tsung-Che Cheng led the game off with his 5th home run of the season, this was part of a 2-for-4 performance for Cheng that included a walk. First baseman Brenden Dixon also hit a home run, going 2-for-5 with three RBI.

Entering the 7th inning the game was tied at 3, and this is when the Marauder offense would get some help.

Jasiah Dixon walked to start the inning, Cheng walked and Sergio Campana was hit by a pitch. With bases loaded and no one out, Tres Gonzalez was also hit by a pitch to make the score 4-3 Marauders.

Jack Brannigan and Brenden Dixon also mixed in run-scoring singles in the inning. When the dust settled, the Marauders had a 7-3 lead. After pitching a scoreless 6th inning, Carlos Lomeli pitched a scoreless 7th and 8th inning following their offensive output. Yunior Tihbo then pitched a scoreless 9th inning to slam the door shut.

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Carlos Jimenez started for the Marauders. Jimenez allowed 3 runs on five hits, two walks, a home run and fort strikeouts. In 66 innings pitched across 17 outings, 13 starts, Jimenez owns a 3.55 ERA this season.

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