Pittsburgh Pirates 2023 Minor League Players of the Year: Triple-A Indianapolis
Who were the best hitter and pitcher for Triple-A Indianapolis in 2023?
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As we begin to recap the 2023 minor league season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, we will first take a look at the best pitcher and hitter for Triple-A Indianapolis this season
Now that the 2023 season is in the rearview mirror for the Pittsburgh Pirates we can start to look back at the season and recap things. This includes recapping what unfolded with Pirate minor league affiliates this season.
As we begin to unwrap and recap the 2023 minor league season for the Pirates we will take a look at each minor league affiliate. In doing so, we will take a look at the best pitcher and best hitter for each Pirate minor league affiliate during the 2023 season.
First up, is the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.
Best pitcher - Quinn Priester
While he struggled in the majors, Quinn Priester did pitch well for Triple-A Indianapolis. Outside of his back-to-back strong outings to cap off his season Priester was hit hard in the majors. He took his lumps at time at Indy, but overall pitched well.
Priester made 22 appearances for Indy with 20 of them being starts. He pitched 108 innings, posting a 4.00 ERA and a 3.59 FIP. He allowed just 6 home runs (0.50 HR/9), while walking 10.2% of opposing batters and striking out 25.3% of opponents.
The success Priester found at Triple-A led to him making his MLB debut this past summer. Even though he finished with two strong outings to cap off the season, he struggled to the tune of a 7.74 ERA and a 6.74 FIP across 50 innings pitched in 10 MLB appearances.
Moving forward, Priester is in a weird spot. He likely has nothing left to accomplish or prove in the minors. However, with how poorly he pitched in the majors it is unlikely he will begin the 2024 season in the majors. He could find himself back in Indy's rotation when the 2024 season begins.
Best hitter - Miguel Andújar
The best hitter for Triple-A Indianapolis this season was an easy nod to give. That honor goes to outfielder/designated hitter Miguel Andújar. Andújar had 90 plate appearances in the majors but spent most of his season at Indy. With Indy, Andújar absolutely crushed it at the plate.
Andújar had 465 PAs with Indy this season, hitting for a .338/.404/.536 slash line. The right-handed hitter walked at a 10.1% rate, struck out in just 11.8% of his trips to the plate, and posted a very healthy .198 isolated slugging (ISO). Andújar posted a 135 wRC+ at Triple-A, while hitting 16 home runs, collecting 48 extra base hits, and driving in 86 runs.
Even though Andújar raked in the minors, it once again failed to fully translate to the majors. In his 90 PAs with the Pirates, he hit for a .250/.300/.476 slash line with a 105 wRC+. His power was the best it has been in the majors since his 2018 rookie season as he hit 4 home runs, 7 doubles, and he posted a very strong .226 ISO.
Andújar's MLB season was capped off with a very strong September. A September that could put him in the discussion for competing for an Opening Day roster spot in 2024, which is more than anyone could have anticipated for much of the 2023 season.
Next. Best prospect at each position. Best Pirate Prospect at Each Position. dark