Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Weekly AFL Stats Update

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PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 18: Catcher Henry Davis (R), who was selected first overall in the 2021 MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, poses with General Manager Ben Cherington after signing a contract with the Pirates during a press conference at PNC Park on July 18, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Nick Gonzales continues to swing a hot stick at the plate, Omar Cruz pitching well and more from Pittsburgh Pirates prospects in this week’s Arizona Fall League stats update

Arizona Fall League play is now two weeks old. Thus far, eight Pittsburgh Pirates prospects have appeared in games for the Surprise Saguaros. Two weeks into the AFL season, how are these eight prospects performing?

Entering play on Monday, the Saguaros owned a 7-4 record. This record put the Saguaros at the top of the Arizona Fall League standings. A big reason the Saguaros are off to such a strong start is due to the contributions of the Pirate prospects that are on their roster.

Here at Rum Bunter we always strive to provide everyone out there with the best Pittsburgh Pirates coverage that we can. That most certainly includes Pirate prospects. So, as we continue to cover future Pirate players that are playing in the Arizona Fall League we will be taking an updated weekly look at their stats and how they are performing.

DENVER, CO – JULY 11: Quinn Priester #40 of National League Futures Team pitches against the American League Futures Team at Coors Field on July 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

An overlooked left-handed pitching prospect off to a strong start

Left-handed pitcher Omar Cruz is often times overlooked in the Pirate farm system. Pittsburgh acquired the now 23-year-old Cruz from the San Diego Padres in the Joe Musgrove trade, and he spent the 2022 regular season with the Double-A Altoona Curve.

With the Curve, Cruz pitched 62.2 innings in 23 outings. Five of these 23 outings came as a starter while the other 18 came out of Altoona’s bullpen. After posting a 5.03 ERA and a 4.90 FIP with the Curve, Cruz has posted a strong 1.59 ERA to go with five strikeouts and just two hits allowed through his first 5.2 AFL innings pitched.

Righties Tahnaj Thomas and Colin Selby have also been pitching out of the Surprise bullpen. Thomas took it on the chin in his last outing, and has now allowed 7 earned runs on five hits, three walks, and three strikeouts through his first 3.2 innings pitched. As for Selby, through his first 4 innings pitched he’s allowed 2 earned runs on six hits, two walks and five strikeouts.

The biggest name pitching prospect the Pittsburgh Pirates have in the Arizona Fall League is 2019 first-round pick Quinn Priester. Through his first three starts in the AFL, Priester owns a 5.54 ERA in 13 innings pitched. He’s allowed nine hits, two home runs, walked five batters, and struck out 12.

Mar 1, 2021; Sarasota, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates Nick Gonzales (81) poses during media day at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: MLB Photos via USA Today Sports /

Nick Gonzales leading the way for Pittsburgh Pirates position player prospects

Four Pirate position player prospects find themselves on Surprise’s roster. This includes 2020 first-round pick Nick Gonzales. Thus far, Gonzales has found himself building upon a strong 2022 minor league by performing well in the AFL.

Through his first 29 plate appearances for the Saguaros, Gonzales found himself hitting for a .333/.414/.625 slash line. He had a home run, a triple, two doubles, and a strong 3:4 BB:K ratio. In addition to his more natural second base and shortstop, he has also played third base.

Another former first-round pick that is performing well thus far is the no. 1 overall pick from the 2021 draft, catcher Henry Davis. Through his first 25 PAs Davis hit for a .235/.440/.412 slash line with three doubles. Davis has 5:4 BB:K ratio, and, in typical Davis fashion, he was hit by a pair of pithes.

Another Pirate catching prospect playing for the Saguaros is Blake Sabol. Through his first 16 PAs Sabol found himself hitting for a .308/.438/.385 slash line. Sabol, as he did in the regular season, has also played the outfield, while hitting four doubles, a triple, and a 3:4 BB:K ratio.

Next. Pirates Should Look to Extend Young Players. dark

First baseman/designated hitter Jacob Gonzalez is the other Pirate position player prospect play for the Saguaros. Gonzalez struggled in his first five PAs, going 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts. Make sure to continue to follow here at Rum Bunter all of the updates from Pirate prospects in the AFL.

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