Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Strong Season Debuts From Anthony Solometo & Thomas Harrington

Anthony Solometo and Thomas Harrington each pitched well in their 2023 season debut and more from Friday night's Pittsburgh Pirates minor league action

Minor league baseball is now in full swing. Friday night, the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers and Low-A Bradenton Marauders kicked off their 2023 seasons. With this, each of the Pittsburgh Pirates four minor league affiliates have their seasons underway.

The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians defeated the Louisville Bats 5-3 on Friday night. Following their third consecutive victory, the Indians are now 3-4 on the season.

Travis Swaggerty started in center field while batting lead off for Indy and went 1-for-5 with his 3rd double of the season and a run scored. This continued Swaggerty's strong start to the season. Speaking of strong starts to the season, Tucupita Marcano was 3-for-5 with three runs scored. All three of Marcano's hits were doubles, already giving him six on the season.

Endy Rodriguez was behind the dish. Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with a walk, run scored, and a RBI. Nick Gonzales started at third base and went 0-for-3 with two walks, Miguel Andújar was 1-for-5 with a RBI, and Chris Owings was 2-for-4 with a double.

Veteran lefty Caleb Smith started and had a strong bounce back outing after struggling in his first start of the season. Smith allowed 2 runs on four hits, two walks, and two strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched. Daniel Zamora recorded the final out of the 5th inning.

Lefty J.C. Flowers allowed two hits in a scoreless 6th inning. Carmen Mlodzinski ptiched 1.1 innings, allowing a run on a hit, three walks, and no strikeouts. John O'Reilly, who is off to a strong start this season, finished things off with two strikeouts in 1.2 scoreless innings pitched.