For a season preview of the Pittsburgh Pirates two Dominican Summer League teams, check out our article here. Throughout the year, we will provide the recaps of both teams, as well as highlight one player each day.
PIRATES1
Result: Pirates 7, Rockies 4
Starting Pitcher: Jose Regalado, RHP (1-0, 7.20) – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Luis Benitez, CF (.750) – 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Chrisitian Henriquez, LHP (0.00) – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.000) – 0-for-3, BB
Pablo Reyes, 2B (.500) – 2-for-4, SB
Johan De Jesus, SS (.000) – 0-for-3, BB, SB
Game Notes: Jose Regalado started the season opener and picked up the win with a little early help from his offense. The Pirates, who are the defending champions of the DSL, scored five runs in the third inning and never lost the lead to the Rockies. Julio de la Cruz, one of the two top International signings, made his pro debut today and was hitless in four plate appearances. He walked once and struck out twice. De la Cruz signed for $700,000 at the beginning of the July 2nd signing period. Christian Henriquez had an impressive relief outing, throwing three shutout innings and Carlos Ruiz closed it out for the save.
PIRATES2
Result: Orioles2 6, Pirates 3
Starting Pitcher: Julio Vivas, RHP (0-1, 11.25) – 4.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Edgardo Munoz, DH (.750) – 3-for-4, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.333) – 1-for-3, BB
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.333) – 1-for-3, 2B
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.250) – 1-for-4
Omar Basulto, LHP (0.00) – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: The Pirates2 team had an impressive trio of players making their pro debut today. Between Michael de la Cruz, Yoel Gonzalez and Jhoan Herrera (the spelling of his first name seems to have changed), they signed for a combined total of $1,350,000 during this last July 2nd signing period. The bullpen gave the team four shutout innings, the first three from Omar Basulto, while Hector Garcia finished off the game for the Pirates. The 17-year-old lefty retired the side in order during his pro debut. Edgardo Munoz had a three hit day in the loss. In 2011, he hit .360 in the Venezuelan Summer League. When those players transferred to the DSL last year, he slumped to a .239 average.
Player Of The Day
Last August, the Pirates signed shortstop Johan De Jesus for a $200,000 bonus. He made his pro debut yesterday, still two months shy of his 17th birthday. He went hitless on Saturday, but there was one big thing of note besides his age. It’s the fact he started Opening Day at shortstop. He made a fielding error and struck out in his first game, but also walked and stole a base. The Pirates haven’t always been quick to throw young players into the fire, so the fact he started at shortstop, plus the high bonus, makes him one of the top players to keep an eye on this season.
