For a season preview of the Pittsburgh Pirates two Dominican Summer League teams, check out our article here. For a recap of the DSL All-Star game, 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: Marlins 6, Pirates 3
Starting Pitcher: Jandy Vasquez, RHP (2-3, 4.61) – 3.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Pablo Reyes, DH (.314) – 1-for-4, BB, 3B, SB, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Julio de la Cruz, 3B (.205) – 1-for-4
Christopher De Leon, RHP (2.95) – 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Johan De Jesus, SS (.153) – 0-for-4, SB
Dennis Hurtarte, 1B (.151) – 1-for-3, BB
Game Notes: The Pirates1 went down 5-0 in the top of the first to the Marlins and couldn’t come back, losing by a 6-3 score. All of the other scoring came in the third inning. The Pirates got great relief pitching from Christopher De Leon and Jonathan Minier, who combined for 5.1 scoreless innings. The tough rookie season of high-priced shortstop Johan De Jesus continued. The 16-year-old saw his average drop to .153 and he committed two costly errors, giving him 19 on the season. Pablo Reyes drove in two of the Pirates runs and scored the third run on a single by catcher Deybi Garcia.
PIRATES2
Result: Pirates 8, Mets1 3
Starting Pitcher: Eduardo Vera, RHP (2.23) – 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jhoan Herrera, 3B (.255) – 3-for-5, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Alexis Bastardo, RF (.248) – 2-for-4, HR, RBI
Michael de la Cruz, CF (.329) – 1-for-4, BB, SB
Richard Mitchell, RHP (3-3, 3.95) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Yoel Gonzalez, C (.147) – DNP
Game Notes: The Pirates bats broke out for five extra base hits and eight runs, as Richard Mitchell picked up his third win of the season on his 18th birthday. Jhoan Herrera had a single, double, triple and three RBI’s and Yomifer Polanco drove in two runs. Alexis Bastardo hit his first career homer and scored four runs. Eduardo Vera started the game and gave up two runs over four innings, giving way to Mitchell in the fifth. The young righty went two innings, allowing one run and left with a 7-3 lead. Reliever Edgar Martinez threw three scoreless innings to finish out the game and pick up the save. Carlos Munoz, who led the league with an average over .400 just weeks ago, is in a 3-for-22 slump that has seen his average drop down to the .350 mark.
Player Of The Day
Today’s player of the day is a repeat of a recent player, Henrry Rosario. The 20-year-old, lefty outfielder was recently sent from the DSL to the Gulf Coast League in a rare mid-season promotion. He is listed at just 5’9″, 180 pounds, which I heard might be generous on the height. I was able to get a scouting report on Rosario, who wasn’t really putting up the stats you would expect from someone who was moved up at this point of the year. In 28 games, he is hitting .200, with a .693 OPS and a team-leading four triples. His numbers are slightly down from last year, his rookie season. The only true improvement he has shown is in his base running. Last season he was 6-for-15 in steal attempts. This year he has improved to 3-for-4, which also means he is running less.
As for the scouting report on Rosario, he might be small in size, but he is extremely strong, well-built. He has great hand-eye coordination and makes solid contact often. Rosario has good speed and has really improved his overall base running, not just in the stolen base department. He also has a very strong arm in the outfield, described as the second best arm on either of the Pirates affiliates, behind only outfielder Yunior Aquiles. It will be interesting to see how he does in the GCL.
Injury Update
All-Star outfielder Tito Polo hasn’t played since Monday of last week. According to a report I got, he has been having hamstring issues, but should return sometime this week. The hamstring had bothered him earlier in the season, though he missed very little time.
