Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Henry Davis Homers, Shalin Polanco on Base Four Times & More

Double-A Altoona fails to recover from a slow start

Continuing their poor start to the season Double-A Altoona suffered a 7-3 loss on Saturday afternoon, falling to 3-6 on the season. The Curve fell in a 3-0 hole against the Erie SeaWolves after the 3rd inning and never recovered.

Aaron Shortridge started for Altoona and struggled. The righty allowed 4 runs, 3 earned, on six hits, no walks, a wild pitch, and three strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched. The error that burnt Shortridge was committed by Henry Davis who started in right field instead of his usual catcher.

At the plate, Davis did all he could to make up for his error. He was 2-for-4 with his 2nd home run of the season, raising his OPS on the season to .869.

After Shortridge's day ended Noe Toribio took over on the mound for Altoona. The righty pitched 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out three. Control has always been a major issue for Toribio, so him issuing zero walks while throwing 24 of 34 pitches for a strike is very encouraging.

Tahnaj Thomas followed Toribio and struggled. Thomas, who was hurt by a Drew Maggi error, allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on a hit, a walk, and two strikeouts in 1 innings pitched. The hit Thomas allowed was a home run. Tyler Samaniego pitched the 8th inning, posting a zero while walking a batter.

Second baseman Domingo Leyba continued his strong start to the season going 2-for-4 with his 2nd home run of the season. He now owns a .957 in 31 PAs this season. Left fielder Josh Palacios continued his strong start to the season as well going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles.

Greensboro continues early season success

Now team in the Pirate farm system is off to a stronger start than the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers. Sunday afternoon, the Grasshoppers defeated the Jersey Shore BlueClaws 5-2 to improve to 7-2 on the season.

Infield prospect Tsung-Che Cheng continues to hit the cover off the ball for Greensboro. Cheng went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI, raising his OPS on the season to 1.082. Mike Jarvis was 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and two runs scored, Luke Brown was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI, and Jackson Glenn was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Valentin Linarez started for Gressnboro, allowing 2 runs on seven hits, two walks, and a strikeout in 3.2 innings pitched. Michell Miliano pitched 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, allowing three hits, he did not issue a walk, and he struck out five.

Lefty Cy Nielson continues to be one of the best pitchers in the Pirate farm system early in the season. He pitched 2 scoreless, hitless innings of relief. Nielson did hit a batter, but retired the other six batters he faced striking out a pair. Eddy Yean then allowed two hits in a scoreless 9th inning pitched to close out the game.

Bradenton gets back over .500

The Low-A Bradenton Marauders defeated the Lakeland Flying Tigers 7-3 on Sunday, getting back over .500 on the season at 5-4. Righty J.P. Massey started for Bradenton, allowing 3 runs on six hits, two walks, and six strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched.

Ryan Harbin issued a walk, but then recorded a strikeout to get the final out of the 4th inning. Brad Case allowed a hit and struck out a pair in 2 scoreless innings pitched, and Yunior Thibo walked a pair in 2 scoreless innings of his own. Mike Walsh allowed a hit, walked a batter, and struck a batter out in scoreless 9th inning.

Jesus Castillo started at third base for Bradenton and went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. He now owns a 1.019 OPS early this season. Center fielder Tres Gonzalez was 2-for-5 with a double, run scored, and two RBI.

Highly touted 2020 international free agent addition Shalin Polanco was in right field and continued his strong start at the Low-A level. Polanco was 1-for-2 with three walks and an RBI. First baseman Edward Mojica was 1-for-3 with tw owalks and a run scored.