Jared Jones was promoted to Indianapolis, giving the Pirates two aggressive pushes among their pitching prospects this week alone, with Anthony Solometo being the other one.
The Pirates have had a very aggressive approach in the draft targeting prep pitchers in the early rounds, with Jones being the first of them under General Manager Ben Cherington.
Scouting and developing this specific group of prospects seems like an area where the front office has earned the benefit of the doubt. They now have a 20-year-old in Double-A, and a 21-year-old in Triple-A, both high school arms drafted by the Pirates and given an over slot bonus.
Jones was slated to pitch twice next week, so if they keep him on the same schedule it will be a great way to get him into the mix of things and really test him.
I had a chance to see his second to last start in Altoona a week ago in Richmond, and it was perhaps the best start of his career, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning.
He came back to earth a bit, walking three batters and allowing five hits in 3.2 innings this week, but still struck out six through all of that.
The Pirates are trying to sort out their own rotation concerns at the major leagues, all the while they are making moves within the organization.
It will be interesting to see how the front office manages Jones the rest of the season. A lot of pitchers his age are still gradually building up innings. He threw over 120 last year in High-A.
While it would seem completely out of character for Jones to go any further, you could make a case this is already uncharted water with their approaches to him and Solometo.
Even though he started the year in Double-A, Jones could very well hold his own destiny in his hands, pitch well and he could force his way into the MLB picture, especially with the lack of depth when it comes to starting pitching.
If he struggles a bit — he’s a 21-year-old in Triple-A — they could easily just have him finish the season out there.
Regardless, after a mostly lack luster 2022 season within the system as a whole, we are really starting to see the jump by some key names in year four under Ben Cherington.
Daily Video Rundown
Why does anyone ever run on @DylanShockley29? pic.twitter.com/xXIxuJd0On
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) June 18, 2023
Dylan Shockley is a fantastic defensive catcher, showing why by getting this throw off quickly to nab the runner trying to steal third.
5 innings in the books for @King_S0L32 and he's got 7 K's! pic.twitter.com/cejHVNLwhH
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) June 18, 2023
It was an interesting start for Anthony Solometo in his debut at Double-A. There was some outlining factors that made him work a little harder than he should have at times, including a self-inflicted throwing error. In the end he struck out seven batters in five innings against a really tough lineup that featured a major leaguer on rehab.
Update: Miggy is still mashing.
Miguel Andujar is absolutely mashing in Indianapolis right now.
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
By Tim Williams
As reported by John Dreker last night, the Pirates have promoted Jared Jones to Indianapolis. Between Jones and Kyle Nicolas, the Pirates have some interesting second half depth options emerging. I think they need to add a starter from the outside over the next month for more immediate help. Jones and Nicolas help to balance all of the injuries we’ve seen.
**Pirates Promote Jared Jones to Indianapolis
Looking for the nightly game action, at both the MLB and minor league levels? Check out Pirates Prospects Live.
**P2Live: Pirates Still Looking for Division Road Trip Win; Nicolas and Solometo Scuffle in Debuts
Our new Prospect Watch looks at three players each day. Yesterday’s was led by Liover Peguero, who has been hitting very well over the last month.
**Prospect Watch: Liover Peguero, Dominic Perachi, Carlos Mateo
SONG OF THE DAY
