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: Mets2 4, Pirates 2
Starting Pitcher: Miguel Ferreras, RHP (0-2, 5.11) – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Sandy Santos, RF (.200) – 2-for-3, 2 SB
Other Notable Performers:
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.209) – 1-for-4
Adderly Ceballo, RHP (1.93) – 3.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Tito Polo, LF (.367) – 1-for-4, HR
Johan De Jesus, SS (.205) – 0-for-3, 3 K
Game Notes: Starter Miguel Ferreras picked up the loss after allowing three runs in the second inning, as the Mets2 won 4-2 on Monday. The game was successful for Ferreras in two ways though. First is that he was able to get through five innings for the first time in three starts. The second reason is that he didn’t walk a single batter after allowing four walks in each of his first two starts. Adderly Ceballo came in during the sixth inning to replace Brayan Almonte, who had loaded the bases with two outs. Ceballo stranded all three runners, then finished the game off with one run allowed over the final three innings. For the second game in a row, Johan De Jesus struck out in all three plate appearances. The home run by Tito Polo was the first of his season. Polo also had an outfield assist. The Pirates batters struck out 12 times without drawing a single walk.
PIRATES2
Result: Reds 7, Pirates 6
Starting Pitcher: Francis Rodriguez, RHP (0-1, 7.11) – 3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Edgar Figueroa, LF (.167) – 2-for-4, 3 RBI, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.310) – 1-for-3, 2 BB
Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.298) – 3-for-4, RBI, BB
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.103) – 1-for-5
Horelbin Ramos, LHP (0.00) – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Starter Francis Rodriguez had a very rough outing today, allowing nine hits and seven runs in just 3.2 innings. The Pirates bullpen of Jose Batista, Luis Brun and Horelbin Ramos, kept the Reds off the board for the last 4.1 innings, but the early deficit was too much to overcome in the 7-6 loss. Top prospect Michael de la Cruz has reached base 24 times in 12 games to start his career. Jhoan Herrera has reached base eight times in his last two games, four hits and four walks. Backup catcher Carlos Marquez, entered the game with just four AB’s and one hit. He went 1-for-2 today, with three walks as the DH. He is in his fourth and final season the in DSL. The Pirates batters drew ten walks today, giving them a total of 39 walks over their last three games.
Player Of The Day
The other day, when right-handed pitcher Adderly Ceballo made his season debut, it looked like he was a 21-year-old rookie, who had just made his pro debut. After all, his minor league page on milb.com had just the one game listed. As I checked his page today for reference, it now appears that he isn’t a rookie at all, he spent two seasons in the Cardinals system under the name Addelin Ceballo.
Ceballo made his debut in 2010, going 4-2, 4.33 in 22.1 innings over 11 relief appearances. He had control issues, walking 13 batters, though he allowed just 17 base hits for a .230 BAA. In 2011, he started one game and pitched 14 times in relief. Ceballo went 0-3, 4.74 in 24.2 innings and not only did his control issues continue with 15 walks, he also allowed 33 hits, for a .314 BAA. At first I thought he could be a late bloomer, though now I suspect that he is probably just a roster filler. He didn’t pitch at all in 2012 and he is less than two weeks shy of his 22nd birthday. In 4.2 innings this year, he has allowed seven hits, two walks and hasn’t struck out a batter.
