Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez Both Hit Home Runs & More

Henry Davis continues to dominate in loss for the Curve

While the Double-A Altoona Curve lost to the Bowie Baysox 4-3 on Tuesday night to fall to 15-17 on the season, it was not all bad for the Curve. Their best player, who should be in the majors, continued to impress and dominant in the loss.

Catcher Henry Davis, the no. 48 overall prospect in MLB Pipeline's latest top 100, was 1-for-3 with a walk for the Curve. His hit was a 3-run home run, his 9th of the season, raising is OPS to 1.124, which is the best in all of Double-A baseball. Davis also threw out an attempted base stealer.

At this point there is zero reason for Davis to remain in the minors. None. Nada. Zilch. His next at-bat should not be anywhere other than in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has nothing left to prove in Altoona and the Pirate offense is in dire need of the type of boost the former no. 1 overall pick in the draft could provide.

Liover Peguero started at second base and bat leadoff for the Curve. Peguero went 3-for-4 with a run scored. All three of his hits were doubles, giving him 10 on the season. Matt Fraizer, Jacob Gonzalez, and Drew Maggi all had a hit as well.

In his secon start since coming off the injured list, talented righty Jared Jones started for Altoona and pitched well. In 4 innings pitched, Jones allowed run on two hits, a walk, and seven strikeouts. Jones owns a 2.70 ERA and a 7:22 BB:K ratio in 20 innings pitched this season.

Matt Eckelman followed Jones and struggled. Eckelman allowed 2 runs on three hits, three walks, and a home run in 1.2 innings pitched. Tahnaj Thomas walked a batter and struck a batter out in 1.1 scoreless innings of work. Oliver Garcia struck out three in a scoreless 8th inning. Veteran righty Juan Minaya then allowed a run on a hit and a walk in the bottom of the 9th inning as the Curve were walked off by the Baysox.

Bullpen struggles sink High-A Greensboro in walk off loss

For much of the night things appeared to be going well for the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers. However, things would change due to late inning bullpne struggles. These struggles led to the Grasshoppers losing to the Asheville Tourists 6-4 to fall to 20-14 on the season.

Braxton Ashcraft started for Greensboro, allowing a hit while striking out three in 3 scoreless innings pitched. Michell Miliano followed with 3 scoreless innings of his own as he walked a pair and struck out three.

After Miliano, the Grasshopper bullpen imploded. In the final 3 innings of the game Grasshopper relievers allowed 6 runs on seven hits and four walks. They allowed 2 runs in the 7th, a run in the 8th, and then 3 runs in the 9th inning, getting walked off without recording an out.

At the top of the Greensboro lineup shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng continued his strong start to the season. After hitting his 5th home run of the season, Cheng now owns a .920 OPS. Tres Gonzales and Wyatt Hendrie also hit home runs, while Jase Bowen had a two-hit night that included a double.

Bradenton scores 7 runs in final 2 innings, but not enough in a loss

While Altoona and Greensboro had late inning woes that led to walk off losses, the Low-A Bradenton Marauders nearly did the opposite. The Marauders scored 3 runs in the 8th inning and 4 more in the 9th inning on their way to a 12-10 loss against the Clearwater Threshers to fall to 20-14 on the season.

Jesus Castillo singled to start the 8th inning, Rodolfo Nolasco was hit by a pitch, and Termarr Johnson singled. After a balk and a wild pitch, the Marauders had cut the deficit to 12-5. Following a Geovanny Planchart sacrifice fly, Shalin Polanco and Alexander Mojica hit back-to-back doubles to make the score 12-7.

Then in the 9th inning, the Marauder offense continued to attempt to rally. With the bases loaded with just one out due to three walks, Javier Rivas doubled to make the score 12-9. After a ground out made it 12-10, Polanco singled to bring the go ahead run to the plate. Unfortunately, Mojica struck out as the Marauder rally came up just short.

Earlier in the game Polanco hit his 5th home run of the game as he finished the night 4-for-5. Planchart hit his 1st home run of the season as part of a four RBI night. Johnson had a multi-hit night for the Marauders.

Veteran righty Tyler Chatwood pitched a scoreless 1st inning making a minor league rehab outing. Trying to battle his way back from a long battle with injuries, Blake Cederlind pitched the 2nd inning and allowed 6 runs. Dominic Perachi allowed 6 runs in his 2 innings pitched.