Despite losing two of their best pitchers, the Bradenton Marauders starting rotation has held strong, becoming a big part of their second place finish in the FSL South during the first half of the season.
This past week highlighted just how good the rotation can be, with the Marauders taking four of the five games at Lakeland. The starters closed out the week specially strong, with three consecutive games where a starter went at least five innings all allowing one run or less.
Friday – Wilber Dotel
The weekend was started off by Dotel, who pitched five innings of one-run baseball, allowing just one run while striking out four batters.
More importantly for him, he didn’t walk a single batter, something that has been an issue for him in the past. The Marauders ended up winning big, by a score of 12-4.
Saturday – Alessandro Ercolani
The 19-year old Ercolani was the Florida State League Pitcher of The Week previously after throwing five shutout innings. He upped it by an inning this time around, throwing his name in the hat to win the award back-to-back weeks.
Another starter with good stuff but gets hampered by a lack of control at times, Ercolani allowed just one free pass on Saturday as Bradenton won 2-1.
Sunday – Derek Diamond
To close out the weekend Diamond pitched six innings of one run baseball, striking out seven batters in the process.
Diamond was a player I was really intrigued in when he was drafted, especially after watching some video of him in high school. Thought the Pirates could be on to something if they could get him back to how he looked before his draft year.
When he began the year he had a noticeable ‘hop’ in his delivery, but has since worked away from that, and has some of the best control in the minors.
Rest of Rotation
Owen Kellington and Luis Peralta were the other two who started this week, both of which struggled a bit. Control issues have continued to plague Kellington over the past couple of weeks, walking four in 3.2 innings this time around.
Peralta has always been interesting due to high strikeout numbers, but has never been able to put it together, he didn’t get out of the first inning on Thursday in his start.
Marauders’ starters currently have the best staff ERA in the Florida State League, with a 3.66 mark. They are also fifth in strikeouts and have the third best ground out to air out ratio (GO/AO), meaning they are doing a great job keeping the ball on the ground.
When it comes to name recognition, the rotation isn’t maybe the ones that immediately come to mind when thinking about Bradenton, but you can’t argue the results so far from them.
Daily Video Rundown
Oh my, Vilade. #SCTop10.
Ryan Vilade has been playing some solid defense out in center field this year, including this catch right here.
Yep, Endy crushed this one.
He got every bit of this one, Endy Rodriguez hits his fifth home run of the season for Indianapolis.
Heads up in Souvenir City! @masonmartin7 just sent one your way!! pic.twitter.com/S7RF4ijyPm
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) June 26, 2023
Speaking of getting every bit of a baseball, Mason Martin never gets cheated on any of his.
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
By Tim Williams
The Pirates lost 2-0 to the Marlins, dropping the series 3-1. After the game, manager Derek Shelton discussed the offensive woes as of late.
**P2Live: “At some point guys getting the opportunities have to produce”
In our latest Prospect Watch, I looked at the chances of providing depth from Quinn Priester and Canaan Smith-Njigba. Wilbur Miller profiled rookie infielder Jhonson Pena.
**Prospect Watch: Quinn Priester, Canaan Smith-Njigba, Jhonson Pena
The Pirates added to their pitching depth, trading cash considerations to pick up RHP Andre Jackson from the Dodgers.
**Pirates Acquire RHP Andre Jackson from Dodgers; DFA Mark Mathias
Missed yesterday? Anthony wrote about the offense from outfield prospect Jase Bowen.
**Pirates Prospects Daily: Jase Bowen Turning Into An Offensive Threat
SONG OF THE DAY
