The Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting their first round pick Travis Swaggerty tomorrow. The West Virginia Power cleared three roster spots earlier today on their day off and it looks like Swaggerty, along with third baseman Dylan Busby returning from rehab in Bristol, will fill two of those spots. Swaggerty is currently participating in the NYPL All-Star game. The news of his promotion was confirmed on Twitter by his girlfriend.
Swaggerty batted .288/.365/.453 in 36 games with Morgantown. The Pirates have been willing to promote some draft picks to West Virginia in the past during their draft year, including first round pick Kevin Newman and second round pick Kevin Kramer in 2015.
The Power sent Fabricio Macias, Kyle Watson and Ben Bengtson to Morgantown today. They will join the club tomorrow as they resume play after the All-Star break. No word yet on the third player moving up, but it will possibly be an infielder to replace Watson, with Swaggerty and Busby replacing the other two players.
The move to West Virginia gives Swaggerty a chance to help the team to the playoffs. The Power currently trail by 1.5 games for the second playoff spot, as long as Lakewood holds on to win the second half division title. Since Lakewood won the first half title, the team with the second best overall record would get the second playoff spot if they won both halves.
In other minor news, Bligh Madris was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to August 11th. Justin Harrer moved up (out of convenience) from the GCL to replace him.
