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: Rockies 10, Pirates 1
Starting Pitcher: Jandy Vasquez, RHP (2-2, 4.54) – 5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Luis Benitez, CF (.226) – 1-for-2, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Julio de la Cruz, DH (.205) – DNP
Gerardo Navarro, RHP (3.04) – 2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Johan De Jesus, SS (.137) – 0-for-3
Game Notes: The Pirates1 lost again to the Rockies after winning eight games in a row before the All-Star break. Jandy Vasquez and two relievers all had tough outings, giving up a combined 15 hits and three walks. The Pirates had just a walk and four hits of their own, all singles. The lineup was missing Julio de la Cruz and Tito Polo. The second place Pirates1 now take on the first place Rangers in a two game series. The Rangers lead in the division by seven games. A recap of the DSL All-Star game that was held on Sunday, can be found here.
PIRATES2
Result: Pirates 8, Orioles2 3
Starting Pitcher: Eduardo Vera, RHP (2.23) – 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Henrry Rosario, RF (.191) – 2-for-5, 3B, 3 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Jhoan Herrera, DH (.250) – 0-for-3, BB
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.336) – 1-for-3, RBI, BB, HBP, SB
Jesus Paredes, RHP (2-3, 3.32) – 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.131) – DNP
Game Notes: The Pirates2 got strong starting pitching from Eduardo Vera, who threw four shutout innings. After reliever Horelbin Ramos gave up three runs, Jesus Paredes finished out the game with 2.1 scoreless innings. Paredes picked up the win. Vera has allowed just one earned run over his last 19 innings(four starts). Michael de la Cruz singled once in three AB’s, drew a walk and was hit by a pitch. The top prospect among Pirates in the DSL has reached base 29 times in the last 11 games. He scored two runs, giving him 34 runs in 37 games played. Carlos Munoz drove in his 23rd run of the year.
Player Of The Day
Today’s player of the day is Bealyn Chourio, a 19-year-old shortstop in his third season of pro ball. The Venezuelan native started his career in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2011, where he hit .200 in 32 games. Chourio had just three extra base hits(all doubles) and has trouble on the basepaths, stealing just two bases in ten attempts. The good signs were that he played shortstop regularly and he was just 17-years-old. Many of the players that are signed each year are shortstops, so when one plays the position regularly in his first season, it is usually a good sign.
During the 2011-12 off-season, Chourio played Winter Ball and got hurt. He needed Tommy John Surgery and basically missed all of last season. He was used twice in the DSL in 2012, both times as a pinch runner. Chourio then came to Spring Training with the Pirates this year as part of his rehab from surgery. There were good reports of his hitting and a nice write-up on him that can be found here. Chourio returned healthy to the DSL and has been playing shortstop regularly. Unfortunately, the bat hasn’t come around yet. He is hitting just .193 through 35 games, all spent at shortstop. He has shown improvements in his base running and he has walked 25 times.
Chourio still has a long way to go, but he is probably a little behind due to the missed time. He has shown improvements and the Pirates obviously like him enough to bring him to the states to rehab. The fact he plays shortstop full-time and is strong defensively, means that he could be a player to remember next year in the GCL.
