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

Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez each hit a home run, Quinn Priester turned in his third consecutive strong start, and more Pittsburgh Pirates minor league action

The Pittsburgh Pirates offense might be stuck in a historically poor rut, but that has not stopped plenty of players in their minor league system from swinging a hot bat. This included most of the lineup for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians on Tuesday night as they defeated Iowa Cubs 9-1 to improve to 19-20 on the season.

Catcher Endy Rodriuez, the no. 45 overall prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline's latest rankings, hit a solo home run. This gives Rodriguez 4 home runs on the season. Too bad the Pittsburgh Pirates do not need offensvie help at the catcher position. Oh.. wait. Well, Rodriguez couldn't possibly play the defense Austin Hedges does. Failing to control the opposing running game and struggling to find pitches in the dirt is elite defensive stuff!

Former first-round pick Nick Gonzales made his second consecutive start at shortstop, going 2-for-5 with a double, his 3rd home run of the season, two runs scored, and three RBI. Canaan Smith-Njigba hit his 2nd home run of the season and drove in two runs. Jared Triolo, Mark Mathias, Malcolm Nuñez, and Cal Mitchell all had a hit as well.

Quinn Priester started for the Indians and turned in his thrid consecutive strong start. Turning in his best start of the season, Priester allowed a run on five hits, a walk, and nine home runs in 7 innings pitched. Priester now owns a 4.66 ERA and a 12:42 BB:K ratio this season.

Starting a rehab assignment, lefty Rob Zastryzny followed Priester. Zastryzny pitched a scoreless 8th inning, striking a batter out while allowing a hit and issuing a walk. Angel Perdomo struck out a pair in a scoreless 9th inning.

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.