Pirates promote 2 underrated 2023 draft picks to Double-A Altoona
![May 24, 2022; Hoover, AL, USA; Jaden Woods pitches for the Bulldogs as Alabama faced Georgia in game one of the SEC Tournament at Hoover Met. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News/USA Today Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3459,h_1945,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/4/01j0ypjjd83c08j77wjb.jpg)
After a great first half to the season from the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to promote two of their top players on the roster to Double-A Altoona.
Coincidentally, they were both selections in the 2023 Major League Draft, and they could be at the MLB level faster than you might think. Who are they and how have they developed so fast?
Charles McAdoo, Outfielder
Charles McAdoo has been one of the most exciting hitters in the Pirates minor-league system this season. Not only did his performance get him promoted to Double-A, but it also got him put inside of the Pirates top 30 prospects.
This season in Greensboro, McAdoo posted a batting average of .336 with nine home runs and 52 R RBI. He also has a .975 OPS (on-base percentage of .415 and slugging percentage of .561). His wRC+ is very impressive at 167 and his strikeout percentage sits at 21.7%. On top of all this, he has stole 14 bases.
Those numbers are very impressive, but this assignment in Altoona is going to be a big test for him. Greensboro is notoriously known as a hitter's ballpark, so if he can continue to perform with his bat, he will effortlessly rise through the organization.
Jaden Woods, Left-Handed Pitcher
Jaden Woods is another prospect who has been exceptionally great in Greensboro. Unlike McAdoo, Greensboro should make things difficult for Woods. Despite pitching in a hitter's ballpark, Woods has done excellent this season, which resulted in his promotion.
Woods is not ranked inside of the Pirates top 30, but is still a solid southpaw. This season, Woods has a 1-0 record with a 2.13 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 25.1 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting just .213 against Woods, but his walks have doubled, which is an issue, and has his WHIP a tad elevated at 1.22.
If the 22-year-old left hander can limit the baserunners, he can continue to climb through the Pirates minor leagues. If he keeps it up, he may end the season in Triple-A Indianapolis.
The Altoona Curve haven't not been great this season, but this boost of two young prospects will definitely help, especially when you factor in the organization's confidence with their performance.
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