Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Blake Sabol Stays Hot at Indy & More

(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
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Aug 27, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Bligh Madris (66) advances to third against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Bligh Madris (66) advances to third against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports /

Luis Ortiz turns in a strong start for Indianapolis while Blake Sabol stays hot and more in Thursday’s Pittsburgh Pirates minor league roundup

Entering the bottom of the 8th inning things looked promising for the Indianapolis Indians. Holding a 4-2 lead, the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to be on their way to a victory. However, after allowing 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning the Indians were defeated 5-4 to fall to 68-63 on the season.

Luis Ortiz started for the Indians and was masterful. In 6 innings pitched, Ortiz did not allow a hit, walked three batters and struck out nine. While Ortiz allowed 2 runs, neither of them were earned.  He now owns a 3.60 ERA through his first two Triple-A starts.

John O’Reilly followed Ortiz and started his night strong. O’Reilly pitched a scoreless 7th inning, but the wheels would fall off the cart in the 8th. O’Reilly allowed 3 runs on four hits and a walk in the 8th inning.

Blake Sabol continued his hot play for the Indians by hitting a two-run home run in the 8th inning. This was Sabol’s 2nd home run since being promoted to Triple-A, and raised his OPS at the level to .931.

Mason Martin also hit a home run. His 17th home run of the season was part of a 3-for-4 night for Indy’s designated hitter. Ji-Hwan Bae was 2-for-5 with a RBI, Bligh Madris was 2-for-4 with a triple and a RBI, and Carter Bins was 1-for-4.

BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Endy Rodriguez #80 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: Endy Rodriguez #80 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 suffers a lopsided loss

The Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate, the Altona Curve, were easily dispatched by the Erie SeaWolves on Thursday night. Following a 9-2 loss, the Curve have fallen to two games over .500 on the season at 65-63.

Kyle Nicolas started for the Curve and pitched just 3 innings. Nicolas allowed 2 runs on two hits, two walks, and four strikeouts, throwing just 36 of 86 pitches for strikes. He also hit a batter and threw a wild pitch. His best long-term home continues to appear to be in the bullpen.

Enmanuel Mejia followed Nicolas and was shelled. Mejia recorded just one out while allowing 5 runs on three hits and two walks. Mejia now owns a 6.04 ERA in 47.2 innings pitched out of the Altoona bullpen this season.

Brade Case allowed a hit and walked a batter in 2.2 scoreless innings pitched. Case also struck out five batters, now owning a 3.68 ERA in 60.2 innings pitched for Altoona. Bear Bellomy pitched the final 2 innings of the game and allowed 2 unearned runs on four hits.

Even though the Curve lost a lopsided affair, there were some positives. Matt Gorski returned from the injured list, and went 1-for-5 while battling leadoff. Malcolm Nuñez continued to swing a hot bat going 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and a run scored. Henry Davis was 1-for-4, while Connor Scott and Andres Alvarez each had a multi-hit night.

Stop me if you have heard this before, but it was also a big night at the plate for Endy Rodriguez. The newly minted Baseball America top 100 prospect started at second base and went 2-for-4. Rodriguez now owns an OPS of 1.185 in 105 plate appearances across 24 games with the Curve.

PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 22: Roansy Contreras #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on August 22, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 22: Roansy Contreras #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on August 22, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Greensboro gets blown out, Bradenton gets rained out

Thursday saw the Low-A Bradenton Marauders get rained out. The 65-62 Marauders will now play a double header against the Clearwater Threshers on Friday.

As for High-A Greensboro, they suffered an 11-2 blow out loss at the hands of the Bowling Green Hot Rods. After falling 11-2 against Bowling Green, the Grasshoppers are now 10 games under .500 on the season at 58-68.

Ricky DeVito started for the Grasshoppers and turned in a poor start. DeVito allowed 7 runs on four hits, three walks, two home runs and three strikeouts in 3 innings pitched. On the season, DeVito now owns a 5.40 ERA in 70 innings pitched.

Sergio Umana followed DeVito and walked two batters while recording a strikeout in 1 inning pitched. Denny Roman allowed 3 runs on three hits and three walks in 1.2 innings pitched. Logan Hofmann allowed a run in 1.1 innings pitched. Cristian Charle then cleaned the mess up with two strikeouts in 1.1 scoreless innings pitched.

Next. Oneil Cruz Finding Consistency. dark

Greensboro’s only runs came in the 8th inning. Jacob Gonzalez singled to start the inning and went to third on a one-out double by Yoyner Fajardo. Both Gonzalez and Fajardo would score on a Jackson Glenn double, scoring the only runs of the night for the Grasshoppers.

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