Our new Prospect Watch started this week, profiling three different players each day from our writers. For over a decade prior to this, the Prospect Watch was where you could find our nightly game reports. You can now find those at Pirates Prospects Live.
Yesterday’s Results: Suwinski’s Two Bombs Not Nearly Enough as Pirates’ Bullpen Melts Down, Davis and Triolo Go Deep
Today’s Action: A Big Day For Pitching Prospects Throughout the Pirates System
Today’s look ended up being an all-Bradenton group, with profiles on two different types of catchers with the Single-A affiliate.
WILBUR MILLER: Nick Cimillo, C, Bradenton Marauders (A)
Nick Cimillo has been something of a mystery man since the Pirates drafted him as a catcher. They took him last year in round 16 out of Rutgers, where he had a huge senior season, batting .385/.492/.707. The Pirates activated him fairly soon after he signed, but he seldom played. In over a month, he got into just a dozen games.
This year’s been similar. In April, Cimillo got just 17 AB for Bradenton, batting .235. Things picked up a bit in May, as he got 32 ABs and batted .250/.351/.500. Through June 11, he’d gotten into half a dozen games and was hitting .300/.440/.700. Obviously, the big question is why a guy hitting like Cimillo isn’t playing more. His overall line is .261/.400/.536, and he’s controlling the strike zone well, with a 13:14 BB:K. Playing in Single-A at age 23, he can’t be called a “prospect” based on what he’s done, but he’s earned the chance to prove something. In keeping with the limited playing time, he’s also not catching. He did a little last year, but so far this year he’s caught one inning. It’s not like the Marauders have any prospects at the position, either, since Wyatt Hendrie moved up to Greensboro.
TIM WILLIAMS: Geovanny Planchart, C, Bradenton Marauders (A)
Following up on Wilbur’s report on Cimillo, I watched Geovanny Planchart when he was catching J.P. Massey. As Wilbur noted, the Pirates don’t have a standout catching prospect at the Single-A level. The guys they have either lack offense, or aren’t catching. Planchart is one who lacks offense, hitting for a .240/.319/.306 line. That’s improved over his .175/.319/.175 line in a brief time at Single-A last year.
What stood out to me was the way Planchart managed the game. There are automated strike calls, but Planchart’s framing and receiving skills were sharp. In this start, Massey was having periods where he would pitch around guys and lose his focus. Planchart did a great job of trying to keep him calm, providing visual feedback in the toughest moments, but also accenting some of those called strikes with good frames.
While framing can no longer steal strikes with an automated zone, Pirates farm director John Baker has told me they feel there’s a benefit to the pitcher seeing a good pitch that is well received. It seems the Pirates are prioritizing this mental boost at the lower level, which probably explains why Planchart has played 35 games, Wyatt Hendrie has played 15, and the rest of the group is barely matching Hendrie’s time behind the plate. Planchart looks like the defensive minded replacement now that Hendrie has moved up.
TIM WILLIAMS: Jesus Castillo, SS, Bradenton Marauders (A)
I’ve been intrigued by Jesus Castillo over the last year. The Pirates signed the shortstop prospect in July 2019 at the age of 16, and he’s quickly moved through the system to Single-A in his age 19 season. This followed a 2022 season where he won the Florida Complex League batting title, hitting .352/.439/.383. The knock against him is a lack of power, but he has speed and outstanding plate patience.
Castillo is currently batting .229/.409/.268 in Bradenton. That’s a strange line, highlighted by the fact he has more walks (51 walks, 21.4%) than strikeouts (41, 17.2%). He also shows speed on the bases, with 11 steals in 15 attempts. He’s gotten better with accuracy on the bases, after going 9-for-15 last year. There doesn’t appear to be much power to his game, but he’s got the speed and on-base abilities.
What stood out to me in watching Castillo recently was his defense at shortstop. He moves quick, taking direct routes to the ball and displaying a strong arm on the go. The picture above by Wilbur Miller is a perfect encapsulation. Every time I saw Castillo in action, he was on the go, full throttle. Castillo has played all over the field. This year, his time has been split pretty equally across the infield, with 12 games at first, 13 games at second, 15 at third, and 14 at short. He’s also added four games in left field. His defense could keep him on the left side of the infield, which is where his bat plays best with a lack of power. If the contact skills develop, I wouldn’t rule out a super utility role, similar to what we’re seeing from Ji-Hwan Bae in the majors right now.
Prospect Watch Archives
6/13: Brandan Bidios, Yordany De Los Santos, J.P. Massey
6/12: David Matoma, Jun-Seok Shim, Tsung-Che Cheng
The Prospect Watch runs every day at noon, featuring three players from the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system.
