Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Jackson Wolf Turns in Best Start Yet With Altoona

Left-handed pitcher Jackson Wolf has pitched well since joining the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, and his best start yet came on Thursday

When left-handed pitcher Jackson Wolf was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of the Rich Hill/Ji Man Choi trade he was optioned to Double-A Altoona. Since joining the Curve the 24-year-old has pitched well, but his best start yet came on Thursday night.

In Altoona's 2-1 walk off win over the Akron RubberDucks in 10 innings, Wolf started for the Curve and set the tune for their pitching staff. Wolf pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing a hit, walking a batter, and striking out five. He threw 45 of 65 pitches for a strike in the outing.

This was Wolf's 4th start since joining the Curve. He has pitched 18 innings in these 4 starts, posting a 2.50 ERA. He has allowed just 10 hits and a single home run, while walking 6 batters, hitting a batter, and striking out 19.

Prior to being traded Wolf made a start in the majors with the Padres on July 22nd. In this start he allowed 3 runs on 6 hits, a walk, and strikeout in 5 innings pitched. While another MLB start may not be in the cards for Wolf this season, if he continues to pitch this well he'll put himself in position to start the 2024 season at Triple-A Indianapolis. This will be a 2024 season that will almost assuredly see him join the Pirates.

Michell Milianao followed Wolf allowing a hit and striking a batter out in 2 scoreless innings of work. Cam Junker also pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out 3. Tahnaj Thomas allowed the extra innings runner to score in the top of the 10th inning, but that was it.

Jackson Glenn singled to start the bottom of the 10th inning. Tsung-Che Cheng reached on a bunt, Matt Gorski singled, and Andres Alvarez hti a sacrifice fly. Alvarez's sacrifice fly was of the walk off variety, giving the Curve the 2-1 victory in 10 innings.

Glenn went 3-for-5, while Cheng was 0-for-3 with a walk, run scored, and an RBI. Center fielder Matt Fraizer went 2-for-4, Gorski, Alvarez, and Will Matthiessen each had a base hit for the Curve as well. Right fielder Joe Perez went 1-for-4 with a walk.