Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Shalin Polanco Home Run, 3 Scoreless From Luis Ortiz & More

Shalin Polanco hits his 3rd home run of the season, Luis Ortiz fires 3 scoreless innings, and more Pittsburgh Pirates minor league action

Friday night saw the Pittsburgh Pirates top farm club, the Triple-A Indianapolis Indias, defeat the Toldeo Mud Hens 6-3. The victory came after Indianapolis allowed a run in each of the final two innings, but they were able to hold on to improve to 13-17 on the season.

In what may have been his final appearance with Triple-A Indy before replacing the injured Vince Velasquez in the Pirate starting rotation, Luis Ortiz fired 3 scoreless innings. Ortiz fired 29 of his 42 pitches for strikes and struck out three batters. He kept the ball on the ground with four ground ball outs and retired nine of the 10 batters he faced.

If Ortiz was to join the Pirate rotation it would likely be for Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Although that would be on just three days rest, Ortiz being limited to 42 pitches on Friday night could indicate that this is the plan. The Pirates likely would not want Ortiz to go as long as he would have between outings without getting some work in on Friday.

Lefty Cam Alldred followed Ortiz. In 3 innings of his own, Alldred allowed a run on two hits, no walks, and five strikeouts. Yerry De Los Santos allowed a hit and struck out a pair in a scoreless 7th inning. Hunter Stratton pitched the 8th inning and Daniel Zamora the 9th. They each allowed a run on a hit and a walk, but their work was enough to close out the victory.

Second baseman Nick Gonzlaes was 3-for-5 with a run scored at the top of the Indy lineup. Endy Rodriguez was 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored, Rodriguez is now hitting for a .279/.363/.441 slash line this season. Unfortunately, in the eyes of Pirate brass that is nowhere near good enough to unseat Austin Hedges and all that awesome veteran leadership.

Outfielder Josh Palacios continues to do nothing but hit and turn heads. He was 3-for-5 with his 4th Triple-A double and four RBI. Vinny Capra was 1-for-4 and drove in a pair, Malcolm Nuñez hit a double in the win.

Furious 9th inning rally falls short for Greensboro

Friday night the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers fell to the Winston Salem Dash 8-7. With the loss, the Grasshoppers fell to 15-10 on the season. This loss came after the team allowed 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th, and then nearly completed a furious comeback in the 9th inning.

After pitching a scoreless 7th inning, Michell Miliano returned to the mound in the 8th inning for Greensboro. After a walk, a catchers intereference, and a pair of singles, the Dash scored 3 times in the inning to extend their lead to 8-3.

Entering the 9th inning the game appeared ot be well in the bag for the Dash, however, Greensboro batters had another idea.

Tres Gonzales drew a walk to start hte 9th inning. After back-to-back one out singles loaded the bases, Jackson Glenn launched a grand slam. His 5th home run of the season quickly made the score 8-7 Dash with just one out in the inning. Unfortunately, this is where the rally ended. Jase Bowen popped out, Mike Jarvis flew out, and the game was over.

Po-Yu Chen started for Greensboro and allowed 4 runs in just 3.1 innings pitched. Chen allowed five hits, a home run, he walked five batters, and struck out a pair. He threw a wild pitched and threw just 41 of his 75 pitches for strikes.

Big 5th inning carries Brandenton to a 1-run victory

The strong start to the season for the Low-A Bradenton Marauders continued on Firday night. Powered by a 5-run 5th inning, the Marauders defeated the Tampa Tarpons 7-6. With the win, the Maruaders are now 16-9 on the season.

Entering the 5th inning Bradenton was trialing 3-2. With one out in the inning, the rehabbing Jared Triolo hit a run-scoring double to tie the game. After Termarr Johnson walked and Rodolfo Nolasco doubled, Shalin Polanco launched a 3-run home run. Polanco's 3rd of the season made the score 7-3 Marauders.

Polanco's home run was part of a multi-hit night, which included a double, for the former top tier international free agent. He now has an OPS of .796 on the season as he is starting to flash why he is likely a future top 100 prospect.

Triolo was 2-for-5 with his double, a run scored, and two RBI in his rehab start. Johnson finished 0-for-3, but drew a pair of walks. Nolasco's run-scoring double was his lone hit, and first baseman Alexander Mojica was 2-for-4 with a solo home run.

Thomas Harrington started for Bradenton and continued his strong start to the season. Pitching a professional career-high tying 6 innings, Harrington allowed 4 runs on seven hits, two walks, two home runs, and five strikeouts. Through his first five starts this season Harrington owns a 3.65 ERA in 24.2 innings pitched.

Miguel Fulgencio followed Harrington. Fulgencio walked a batter, but retired the other three batters he faced in a scoreless 7th inning. Lefty Julian Bosnic pitched the final 2 innings for the Marauders. Bosnic allowed 2 runs on a pair of walks, a hit, a home run allowed, he hit a batter, and struck out one while picking up his 3rd save of the season.