Yesterday was opening day of the minor league season for three of the Pirates four full season affiliates. Indianapolis opens their schedule on the road today in Toledo. A full recap of last night’s action can be viewed here. A.J. Burnett gets a rehab start for Bradenton tonight, while Stetson Allie returns to the starting role in West Virginia.
AAA: Indianapolis (0-0) @ Toledo (0-0) 5:00pm
Probable starter: Justin Wilson (10-8 4.13 for Indianapolis last year)
Indianapolis finished the 2011 season in 2nd place with a 76-68 record. They begin their season today. Prospects on their roster to watch this year include Jeff Locke, Starling Marte, Justin Wilson, Jordy Mercer, Rudy Owens and Kyle McPherson(DL), as well as Brad Lincoln and Chase d’Arnaud. A team preview can be viewed here.
AA: Altoona (1-0) VS Richmond (0-1) 6:30pm
Probable starter: Nate Baker (10-8 3.34 with Bradenton last year)
Altoona opened up their regular season last night with a 7-4 win. They finished the 2011 season in 6th place with a 64-77 record. Prospects on their roster to watch this year include Tony Sanchez, Robbie Grossman, Jarek Cunningham, Ramon Cabrera, Brock Holt, Elevys Gonzalez, Nate Baker and Matt Curry. A team preview can be viewed here.
High-A: Bradenton (1-0) VS St Lucie (0-1) 6:30pm
Probable starter: AJ Burnett (11-11 5.15 for the Yankees last year)
Bradenton opened up their regular season yesterday with a 3-2 win in 10 innings (Game Recap Here). They finished last year 74-63, winning the second half title and they went to the playoffs, where they lost to today’s opponent, St. Lucie, in a best of three game series. Prospects on their roster to watch this year include Jameson Taillon, Gerrit Cole, Alex Dickerson, Colton Cain and Mel Rojas Jr. A team preview can be viewed here.
Low-A: West Virginia (0-1) @ Hagerstown (1-0) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Stetson Allie (0-2 6.58 for State College last year)
The Power began their regular season last night with an 11-9 loss (Game Recap Here). They finished their 2011 season with a 69-69 record by winning their last five games of the season. They finished the first half of the season in 5th place and the second half in 6th place. Prospects to watch on their roster this year include Stetson Allie, Nick Kingham, Josh Bell, Jose Osuna, Willy Garcia, Alen Hanson, Gregory Polanco, Zack Dodson, Zack Von Rosenberg. A team preview can be viewed here.
