This seems like a perfect day to open with the Daily Video Rundown.
THERE IS NO ONE ON EARTH HOTTER THAN CARLOS SANTANA RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/HDAmz34DPr
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 1, 2023
That was an exciting finish to a really great ball game.
NICK GONZALES 2 RBI DOUBLE!!!
98.1 MPH exit velocity, 352 feet (HR in 6/30 ballparks) pic.twitter.com/XaDWHozbea
— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) July 1, 2023
When he gets the right pitch to hit, Nick Gonzales has done some damage already in the majors.
Goodbye, ball.
Hello, 10-8 lead.
It was also a pretty good night for the first baseman the Pirates brought during the offseason.
Does Small Data Hint At More For Omar Alfonzo?
Small sample sizes can be a double edged sword at times. While they may give a clue at what someone can do should they get more playing time, the added samples usually makes the originally mark unmaintainable.
The best we can do is take all the information we have and make the best of it.
That brings us to 19-year-old catcher Omar Alfonzo, currently playing for the Bradenton Marauders. After picking up hits in his first three games he played, he only registered one more over the next seven before getting sent to the FCL when the season got underway.
He played nine games in the Complex League before getting move back up to Bradenton, putting up as solid numbers as you could probably get in such a small setting.
So, on one hand, he still hasn’t hit much in Bradenton, slashing just .219/.359/.375 in a still small sample size of 14 games (39 plate appearances), while playing some strong defense (has thrown out 37.5% off attempted base stealers in Single-A).
On the other hand, Alfonzo has actually been smoking the ball in the small amount of playing time he’s been getting.
Pirates C prospect Omar Alfonzo with the game-changing blast. His 3-Run HR gives Pittsburgh the lead late. What a great swing #power pic.twitter.com/OPbRArxkPi
— Florida Prospect Report (@FLProspectPod) June 17, 2023
He just has 22 batted ball events so far, but has an average exit velocity of 92.5 mph on them. Of those BBE, 59% of them have been hit at 95 mph or better, and he has a strong barrel rate of 9.09%.
While he the results aren’t quite there yet, the way he is making contact would lead some to believe there could be a bit more there potentially production wise.
Alfonzo is seeing the ball well, after walking twice on Friday, he’s earned a free pass (16) more times than he has struck out (15).
It might be a small sample when you add it up, but the little bit we got has me interested in seeing more.
Prospect Notes
— Shawn Ross is starting to look like his entire game was built to play in High-A, and Greensboro. He’s struck out 41% of his plate appearances, but just hit his fifth home run in 18 games this season with the Grasshoppers.
He’s actually slugging better on the road, and Friday’s shot breaks the 2-2 tie on his home/away splits when it comes to home runs.
— Hasn’t exactly been the smoothest of transitions for Tsung-Che Cheng in Double-A. After going 0-for-4 (with three strikeouts), the infielder has just two hits in his first 25 at-bats with Altoona.
It’s a big jump, and there wasn’t much left for him to do in High-A, so it was still the right move. Although I still question how much of the power will translate to the upper levels, the hit tool is legit, and he is more than capable of making the adjustments.
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
By Tim Williams
My column yesterday was the second part of a series that will ultimately grade the entire Pirates roster. The position player grades show few starters, which is changing for the better.
**Williams: Tathata and the Present Day Grades of the Pirates Position Players
The latest Prospect Watch looks at 2022 over-slot pick Owen Kellington, along with recently acquired infielder Alika Williams.
**Prospect Watch: Owen Kellington, Alika Williams, Jackson Grounds
Carlos Santana launched one to the river, giving the Pirates a wild comeback victory over the Brewers on Friday night.
**P2Live: Santana Walkoff Caps Pirates’ Comeback Win Over Brewers
Colin Holderman is back, which will help to boost the late innings of a bullpen that is starting to show signs of fading.
**Pirates Activate Colin Holderman; Option Cody Bolton
MLB Pipeline has their latest draft rankings and a new mock draft.
**MLB Pipeline Releases New Draft Rankings and a Mock Draft
Missed yesterday? Anthony looked at how Cam Alldred is stepping up as depth for Indianapolis with so many starters going to Pittsburgh.
**Cam Alldred Continues To Answer Call For Indianapolis
SONG OF THE DAY
