The Indianapolis Indians got off to a fantastic start to their season on Friday, putting up five runs in the first inning against the Omaha Storm Chasers. Since then, they have been outscored 20-1.
Caleb Smith Struggles
Brought in as a minor league free agent, it seemed like Smith was going to get a chance to win a bullpen spot. That seemed even more true when Jarlin Garcia got hurt.
Turns out they wanted to work him in as a starter, as he got the nod for the second game of the season for Indianapolis. Things didn’t start out bad, as he actually recorded outs on the first seven batters he faced.
He allowed eight hits, eight runs and two home runs, while walking three the rest of the way, pitching 4.2 innings on the day.
It makes sense that the Pirates keep a veteran of sorts in the Indianapolis rotation, especially with the amount of prospects there already. It creates a situation where if they need a call up (would have to add him to the 40-man) for an extra starter, maybe one that is going to take a beating (like Jerad Eickhoff last year), as opposed to using one of your prospects.
Defensive Struggles
It was a very windy day in Indianapolis, as there were storms moving all over the country on Saturday. That alone helped add some difficulty to an already tough day in the field for Indianapolis.
Miguel Andujar especially had a tough day at first base. After Caleb Smith was able to successfully catch a runner trying to steal, once the throw got to Andujar, he had problems getting it out his glove before sailing the throw. The runner ended up safe – and scoring.
Andujar also had a near collision with Tyler Heinemen on a pop up, where neither seemed to realize the other was in on the ball.
Chris Owings struggled too, picking up an error, while also having another close call that ended up not being recorded as one. Travis Swaggerty had a throwing error on the day.
Swing And Miss Issues
It’s two games, so take any data of any types with a grain of salt. It is only noteworthy because of who it is, as some of those swing and miss issues have emerged once again for Nick Gonzales.
He’s swung at nine non-fastballs in two games, and has missed at six of them. He’s not the only one, as Swaggerty has a few whiffs on off-speed pitches as well.
Indianapolis has struck out 15 times in the first two games, with seven of those coming from Swaggerty and Gonzales.
Pirates Prospects Daily
By John Dreker
Pirates play at 1:40 PM today with Vince Velasquez on the mound. Indianapolis starts at 1:35 PM with Mike Burrows on the mound. The Pirates lineup will be added below once it becomes available.
**Pirates Recap: Offense Tumbles Down The Hill Pirates are on pace for 81 wins.
**Prospect Watch: Indianapolis Suffers a One-Sided Defeat Indianapolis is on pace for zero wins
**Minor Moves: A Plethora of Pirates Players Hit the Injured List Lots of minor league moves added yesterday, none of them good.
**Pirates Draft Prospects: Max Clark is a High Upside Bat to Watch Part five of our draft profile series
**Endy Rodriguez Feeling No Pressure and Enjoying the Game Ryan Palencer catches up to Endy Rodriguez
**Pirates Prospects Daily: Bryan Reynolds Negotiations Could Be Reaching the Finish Line
**Pirates DVR: Endy Rodriguez Home Run, Travis Swaggerty Double, Nick Gonzales Hit
Song of the Day
Today’s Lineup
The series finale vs. the Reds.
Reds lineup
Series finale Sunday! pic.twitter.com/9n559kOw4y
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 2, 2023
