Three teams on the schedule tonight. Bradenton has off today and will resume play tomorrow at home. All three pitchers going today are making their first starts of the season and for Phil Irwin, it’s his first regular season start since May of last year. Check out the Prospect Watch from last night. For a look at possible starters down the line, check out our Probable Starter Chart.
AAA: Indianapolis (4-0) @ Toledo (1-2) 6:30pm
Probable starter: Phil Irwin (NR)
Yesterday’s Result: Indianapolis 8, Columbus 3
Phil Irwin will make his first start of the season tonight. He missed most of last year due to elbow surgery. Irwin made two starts for Indianapolis and one for the Pirates. He pitched this off-season in the Arizona Fall League, where he made five starts. In 15.2 innings for Scottsdale, Irwin had an 8.62 ERA, walking six batters and picking up 14 strikeouts. Check out the Indianapolis season preview.
AA: Altoona (1-2) vs Akron (2-2) 6:30pm
Probable starter: Joely Rodriguez (NR)
Yesterday’s Result: Altoona 5, Erie 1
Joely Rodriguez will make his Altoona debut tonight. He split last season between West Virginia and Bradenton, throwing a total of 140 innings over 26 starts. He allowed 142 hits, eight homers and issued 39 walks. Rodriguez had 101 strikeouts, a .266 BAA and a strong 2.12 GO/AO ratio. He had a 2.72 ERA in 14 starts with West Virginia and 2.67 in 12 Bradenton starts. Rodriguez ranks as the #15 prospect in the Pirates system. Check out the Altoona season preview.
High-A: Bradenton (3-1) vs Palm Beach (3-1) 6:30pm 4/8
Probable starter: TBD
Yesterday’s Result: Bradenton 11, Charlotte 3
Bradenton is off today. They will begin a three-game series at home against Palm Beach on Tuesday. Check out the Bradenton season preview.
Low-A: West Virginia (2-2) @ Asheville (2-2) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Dovydas Neverauskas (NR)
Yesterday’s Result: Lexington 5, West Virginia 2
Doyvdas Neverauskas will make his season debut today. The 21-year-old righty from Lithuania, spent all of 2013 with the Jamestown Jammers. He made 15 starts, throwing 60.2 innings, with 55 hits allowed, eight homers and 22 walks. Neverauskas picked up 39 strikeouts, had a 1.41 GO/AO ratio and a .243 BAA. He signed with the Pirates in 2009 and spent the first three years of his career in the Gulf Coast League. Check out the West Virginia season preview.
Recent Transactions
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.
