Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Henry Davis Staying Hot in AFL & More

Jul 18, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis who was selected number one overall in the 2021 MLB first year player draft by the Pirates participates in bating practice before the Pirates play the New York Mets at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis who was selected number one overall in the 2021 MLB first year player draft by the Pirates participates in bating practice before the Pirates play the New York Mets at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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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) /

As Arizona Fall League play rolls into its fourth week, Pittsburgh Pirates prospects continue to perform well for the Surprise Saguaros

The Arizona Fall League season is now three weeks old. Through the first three weeks there have been seven Pittsburgh Pirates prospects plying for the Surprise Saguaros. Let’s take our weekly look at how they have been performing.

Quinn Priester is the lone starting pitching prospect the Pirates have playing in the AFL, but is one of three former first-round picks. The 2019 first-round pick has made four starts thus far, pitching 15.0 innings.

Priester owns a 4.80 ERA in his 15 innings of work. He has allowed 14 hits, two home runs, has walked six batters, and struck out 14. Even with a less than savory ERA, it is still good to see Priester logging innings this fall.

A trio of relief pitching prospects are on the Saguaros roster, this includes lefty Omar Cruz. Acquired in the Joe Musgrove trade, Cruz has pitched 8.2 innings in five relief outings. Cruz has posted a sparkling 1.04 ERA, allowing just four hits. He has not allowed a home run and struck out seven batters, however, he has struggled with control having walked eight batters.

Right-handed relievers Tahnaj Thomas and Colin Selby are also pitching for the Saguaros. Due to one poor outing Thomas owns an 11.12 ERA in 5.2 innings pitched. However, he’s walked just four batters while striking out seven.

As for Selby, he has allowed 2 earned runs on six hits in 5.0 innings pitched. Selby has not allowed a home run, while walking three batters and striking out six. With a strong AFL season following up a strong minor league season, Selby could be in position to make his MLB debut at some point during the 2023 season.

NMSU junior Nick Gonzales takes a swing at the plate as the New Mexico State Men’s Baseball team faces off against Purdue Fort Wayne in the first game of a double header at Presley Askew Field in Las Cruces on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020.Nick Gonzales 3
NMSU junior Nick Gonzales takes a swing at the plate as the New Mexico State Men’s Baseball team faces off against Purdue Fort Wayne in the first game of a double header at Presley Askew Field in Las Cruces on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020.Nick Gonzales 3 /

Henry Davis, Nick Gonzales among Pirate position player prospects putting together a strong AFL season for the Saguaros

2020 first-round pick Nick Gonzales has been among the best players for the Saguaros thus far. Through his first 42 plate appearances of the AFL season Gonzales has hit for a .270/.333/.541 slash line. He has hit 2 home runs and collected extra base hits at a strong 11.9% clip. Gonzales has also been playing all over the infield for the Saguaros, making appearances at shortstop, second base, and third base.

2021 no. 1 overall pick Henry Davis has been an on-base machine for the Saguaros thus far. Through 41 PAs the catcher has hit for a .300/.439/.567 slash line and has hit a home run. He’s collecting extra base hits at a very strong 14.1% clip. In vintage Davis style, he’s also been hit by three pitches.

Catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol is also on the Saguaros roster. While catching and playing left field, Sabol has hit for a .217/.357/.391 slash line. He’s hit a home run, a double, and has a 5:10 BB:K ratio in 28 PAs.

Next. 2022 Prospect Recap: Matt Gorski. dark

First baseman/designated hitter Jacob Gonzalez has also been playing for the Saguaros. After a slow start, Gonzalez picked up his first two hits of the AFL season, including his 1st home run, this past week.

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