Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Cam Junker Struggles for Salt River in Loss

Cam Junker was hit hard in 1.1 innings pitched and more from Pittsburgh Pirates prospects in Friday night's AFL action

Friday night, the Salt River Rafters were defeated by the Mesa Solar Sox 6-1. With the loss, the Rafters are now off to a 2-3 start to their Arizona Fall League Season. In the loss, three Pittsburgh Pirates prospects appeared in the game.

The first pitcher from the Pirate organization to come out of the bullpen for Salt River was righty Alessandro Ercolani. Ercolani pitched the 4th inning, allowing a run on a hit, two walks, and a strikeout. He threw just 10 of 24 pitches for a strike and now has a 10.80 ERA in the AFL.

Cam Junker took the ball in the 7th inning, and pitched 1.1 innings of relief. Junker, who was off to a strong start in the AFL this season, took his lumps. In his 1.1 innings pitched, Junker allowed 4 runs on two hits, two walks, and no strikeouts. Like Ercolani, Junker threw more balls than strikes with only 16 of 36 pitches finding the strike zone.

The only Pirate position player prospect in the lineup for Salt River on Friday night was Jase Bowen. So far in the AFL, Bowen has played right field, first base, and has served as the designated hitter for the Rafters. Friday night, Bowen started in center field and bat leadoff. However, Bowen was 0-for-4 at the top of the lineup.

Continue to stay tuned here at Rum Bunter throughout the remainder of the AFL season to continue to keep tabs on how Pirate prospects are performing.