Pirates' High-A affiliate reaches surprising new heights with combined perfect game

On a big fourth of July, the Pirates' High-A affiliate polished off one of the most impressive feats that a team can accomplish. Three pitchers combined to complete a perfect game against the Orioles High-A affiliate, the first in the minor leagues since 2017.

Khristian Curtis started this game and gave six perfect innings to the cause, striking out 10. Jake Shirk followed, striking out four across two innings. Michael Walsh finished the job with two strikeouts in the ninth. Thanks to the recently acquired Titus Dumitru in a trade with the Braves, the Grasshoppers were able to win this game. Dumitru hit a go-ahead solo home run in the fifth inning.

Curtis is the only ranked pitcher out of these three, coming in as the Pirates' 23rd-best prospect, per MLB Pipeline. Greensboro, as a whole, does not have a great pitching staff. Naturally, this undermanned staff managed to pull off something most pitchers can only dream of.

The Grasshoppers have a ridiculously great record this season, sprinting out to a 55-23 mark. They sit 32 games above .500 and have a great offense headlined by Konnor Griffin. They just lost two of their top hitters to a promotion to Double-A, yet still remain a dangerous team.

Pirates' High-A affilate tosses a combined perfect game on the Fourth of July.

Curtis has struggled a bit this season, posting a 4.70 ERA with a 4.35 FIP and a 10.71 K/9. He brings five quality pitches, but he lacks control. This is just his second season in professional baseball, and he is another prospect that proves this organization has a pitching lab. His strikeout stuff shows a lot of upside, especially with his deep pitch mix.

Shirk was the 18th-round pick in last season's draft, and has found a much better groove since getting promoted to High-A. On the season, his ERA sits at 4.31, with a 2.99 FIP and an 8.85 K/9. His ERA in just five outings in Greensboro is down to 1.80.

Walsh is an older prosepct in High-A at 24 years old and is very deserving of a shot at the next level. His ERA on the season sits at 2.48 with a 2.69 FIP and a 9.66 K/9. His numbers over his career have been great, as he's posted an ERA below two for the past two seasons.

No one expected this, but the stars certainly aligned for one of Pittsburgh's most impressive affiliates.