All four pitchers going tonight are making their second start of the season and three of them are coming off shutout performances. Nick Kingham goes for Altoona tonight. He threw six shutout innings in his debut this year. He is ranked sixth among prospects in the Pirates system. Check out the Prospect Watch from last night. For a look at possible starters down the line, check out our Probable Starter Chart.
Jake Brigham will make his second start of the season tonight. In his season debut, he allowed one run over six innings, giving up five hits, no walks and he had nine strikeouts. Brigham spent eight years in the Texas Rangers organization(with a brief stint in the Cubs system in 2012) before signing with the Pirates as a minor league free agent this Winter. Last year was the first time Brigham played in AAA. He made 18 starts and eight relief appearances for Round Rock, posting a 4.51 ERA over 113.2 innings Check out the Indianapolis season preview.
AA: Altoona (3-3) @ Richmond (4-4) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Nick Kingham (1-0, 0.00)
Yesterday’s Result: Altoona 6, Richmond 1
Nick Kingham will get his second start of the season tonight. He threw six shutout innings in his debut, allowing three hits, three walks and he had six strikeouts. Kingham split last season between Altoona and Bradenton, making a total of 25 starts and two relief appearances. He pitched a total of 143.1 innings, giving up 125 hits, seven homers and 44 walks. Kingham had 144 strikeouts, a 2.89 ERA and a .233 BAA. He finished second to Tyler Glasnow in strikeouts among all pitchers in the Pirates farm system. Check out the Altoona season preview.
High-A: Bradenton (4-3) @ Jupiter (2-5) 6:35pm
Probable starter: John Kuchno (1-0, 0.00)
Yesterday’s Result: Palm Beach 6, Bradenton 0
John Kuchno will make his second start of the season tonight. In his debut, he threw five no-hit innings, allowing three walks and he struck out two batters. Kuchno had nine ground ball outs in that start. He pitched last year for West Virginia, where he made 22 starts and two relief appearances. Kuchno had a 4.01 ERA over 123.1 innings. He allowed 124 hits, seven homers and 45 walks, while striking out 89 batters. Kuchno had a .266 BAA and an impressive 2.29 GO/AO ratio. Check out the Bradenton season preview.
Low-A: West Virginia (3-5) vs Lexington (4-4) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Cody Dickson (1-0, 0.00)
Yesterday’s Result: Lexington 2, West Virginia 0
Cody Dickson will make his second start of the season tonight. In his season debut, he went five shutout innings, allowing three hits and no walks. Dickson had seven strikeouts. He was drafted by the Pirates in the fourth round last year. Dickson made 14 starts for Jamestown last season, posting a 2.37 ERA over 57 innings. He gave up 42 hits, three homers and 24 walks, while striking out 59 batters. Dickson had a 0.91 GO/AO ratio and a .209 BAA. He is a 21-year-old left-hander out of Sam Houston State. Check out the West Virginia season preview.
Recent Transactions
4/9: Jeff Locke assigned to Bradenton on rehab.
4/7: Barrett Barnes and Harold Ramirez placed on disabled list. Adam Landecker and Justin Maffei added to West Virginia roster.
4/6: Chris Stewart assigned to Bradenton on rehab.
4/5: Robert Andino placed on disabled list. Blake Davis added to Indianapolis roster.
4/4: Stetson Allie added to Altoona roster. Junior Sosa transferred to Jamestown roster.
4:4 Kenn Kasparek and Quinton Miller placed on disabled list. Brandon Mann added to Altoona roster.
3/29: Quincy Latimore and Erick Fernandez released.
3/27: Traded a player to be named later in exchange for Keon Broxton.
3/25: Acquired Vance Worley in exchange for cash.
3/22: Six minor league players released. Carlos Mesa, Cesar Lopez, Axel Diaz, Elvin Ramirez, Kirk Singer and Eliecer Navarro.
3/20 Zac Fuesser, Ethan Hollingsworth, Kevin Kleis and Dalton Friend released.
