It’s Opening Day for the three lower level affiliates of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
We will have season previews for the Florida Complex League and the Dominican Summer League soon, including a deep look at the rookie leagues in the June 14th article drop. The FCL Pirates only have one team this year, which is interesting because they have a huge roster and a 55-game schedule, so there will be a lot of guys getting limited playing time on paper — with much of their work happening away from the FCL games. The DSL Pirates have two affiliates and a 60-game schedule, so no issue there with playing time.
Today marks a change for the Prospect Watch. The article will go up each night after midnight, along with P2Daily, the Daily Video Rundown, and the Daily Pirates Discussion. We will have the previous day listed in each new article, to make sure you don’t miss anything.
The Prospect Watch is now the place for all-day, daily discussion on the minors, with the Daily Pirates Discussion being the MLB counterpart. Feel free to discuss the system in the comments as we wait for the first rookie league results.
YESTERDAY’S RESULTS
Prospect Watch: Three-Run Homers Help Greensboro and Bradenton to Victory on Sunday
RK: FCL PIRATES
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Box Score: LINK
Starting Pitcher: Alessandro Ercolani (NR)
- Final Line: 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO
Notable Performances:
Solomon Maguire 0-for-3, BB
Jesus Castillo 2-for-4
Enmanuel Terrero 1-for-3, BB, SB
Alexander Mojica 2-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Shalin Polanco 1-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI
Esmerlyn Valdez 1-for-4, 2B
Jeral Toledo 0-for-4
Omar Alfonzo 2-for-4, 2B
Javier Rivas 0-for-4
Game Recap:
Alessandro Ercolani had an impressive season debut in the FCL opener, throwing four no-hit innings, facing one over the minimum. He had one walk and four strikeouts. The 18-year-old from San Marino had a 5.40 ERA in 18.1 innings last year in the FCL. He was followed by Andy Maldonado, who struck out the side in the fifth inning. He pitched 2.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits, one walk and five strikeouts. Mitchell Miller finished the seventh with two strikeouts. Nic Laio threw a scoreless eighth and Joaquin Tejeda handled the ninth in the 7-2 win. Alexander Mojica was sent down to the FCL last night from Bradenton after extending his hitless streak to 38 at-bats. He needed the nice help from facing lower level pitching after spending two seasons in Low-A. Mojica hit two homers and drove in four runs. The other three runs scored on a double by Shalin Polanco, the top signing for the Pirates from the previous international class. Omar Alfonzo had two hits, including a double. Jesus Castillo had two singles and scored two runs. Enmanuel Terrero had a single, walk, stolen base and two runs scored.
RK: DSL PIRATES BLACK
Game Time: 10:30 AM
Box Score: LINK
Starting Pitcher: Patricio Ress (NR)
- Final Line: 3.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO
Notable Performances:
Eduardo Oviedo 0-for-3, HBP
Roberto De Paula 2-for-2, 2B, RBI, HBP
Ewry Espinal 0-for-3
Wesley Zapata 1-for-3, 2B, RBI
Rodolfo De La Cruz 1-for-3
Game Recap:
Patricio Ress had a rough opening game of the season. After allowing just seven earned runs in 33 innings last year, he nearly matched that total today, surrendering six runs (five earned) on nine hits in 3.2 innings. The only silver lining to his day was the BB/SO ratio, with no walks and four strikeouts. He was pitching well during Spring Training this year, so this was an unexpected poor performance. Victor Cabreja, a 20-year-old 6’3″ lefty, who signed last September, followed Ress. He went 1.1 scoreless in his pro debut, with two hits and two strikeouts. Jarlen De La Paz took over in the sixth and tossed a scoreless frame, but the Pirates lost their opener 6-2 in seven innings. The offense was provided by Robert De Paula, who had a double, single, HBP, run and RBI. He had just six hits last year in limited action (.188 average). Eduardo Oviedo ($450,000 bonus) hit lead-off in his pro debut and he went 0-for-3 with a HBP.
RK: DSL PIRATES GOLD
Game Time: 11:00 AM
Box Score: LINK
Starting Pitcher: Andres Silvera (NR)
- Final Line: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO
Notable Performances:
Yordany De Los Santos 0-for-3
Ruben Vizcaya 1-for-3, 3B
John Zorrilla 0-for-3
Eddy Rodriguez 0-for-2, BB
Gustavo Armas 0-for-3
Carlos Tirado 1-for-3
Axiel Plaz 1-for-3, 2B
Game Recap:
Andres Silvera pitched well as a rookie last year in the DSL, posting a 2.97 ERA in 11 starts and two relief appearances. His 2022 season started off strong as well, throwing 3.2 shutout frames on one hit, no walks and four strikeouts. He was followed by Eliecer Romero, who had a 2.31 ERA in 35 innings last year. He gave up one unearned run over 2.1 innings. Luis Faringthon pitched a scoreless seventh in the 1-0 loss. The offense was offensive, with 16 strikeouts in a seven-inning game. There were four hits in the game and two walks, with Jhonson Pena collecting a single and a walk. Yordany De Los Santos, who signed in January for $1,200,000, had a forgettable debut. He went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and an error. Gustavo Armas and John Zorrilla each went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. Catcher Axiel Plaz, who signed for $350,000 in January, collected a double. Ruben Vizcaya had a triple.
