The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Red Sox by a 4-1 score on Saturday afternoon, with Jared Jones making his final start of the spring. Jones went five innings, allowing an unearned run on four hits and four walks, with five strikeouts.
The outing for Jones wraps up an impressive spring, where he didn’t allow an earned run in 16.1 innings of work. He struck out 15 and walked eight, constantly featuring a 96-100 MPH fastball with a plus slider.
Saturday’s game saw Jones throw eight pitches at 98+ MPH, with his highest being recorded at 99.9 MPH. His slider generated eight whiffs on 16 swings across 30 pitches, with four more called strikes. He also worked in his curveball, changeup, and cutter.
Jones has done enough to earn a rotation spot. After the game, Pirates’ manager Derek Shelton said the team would likely make a decision on Jones in the next 24 hours.
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After yesterday’s roster moves, Jared Triolo was starting at second base today, while left-hander Josh Fleming pitched an inning in relief. Shelton said after the game that it was a “safe bet” that Triolo is the regular second baseman. He also said that Fleming is in the bullpen mix for the Opening Day roster.
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The Pirates released right-handed pitcher Chase Anderson from his minor league deal, on the same day that Anderson signed a major league deal with the Red Sox. Anderson had an opt-out in his deal with the Pirates this weekend, and based on the moves that followed, he wasn’t going to be part of the Pirates’ Opening Day roster. He will likely pitch in the majors for Boston as they deal with injuries.
Pirates Prospects Daily
I wasn’t sure if I would get a chance to write an article today, but I had an update on 2023 third rounder Garret Forrester I wanted to share. The Pirates are moving the corner infielder behind the plate for the 2024 season. Read more about the move here.
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This Week on Pirates Prospects
**The History of Anthony Solometo’s Funky Delivery
Read about how Anthony Solometo developed one of the funkiest deliveries in the game and reached the upper levels as one of the top prospects in the Pirates’ system.
**Braxton Ashcraft Returned From Tommy John With MLB Stuff
Braxton Ashcraft is looking like he could help the Pirates in 2024, with the help of three plus offerings.
**Thomas Harrington Emerged as a Top Ten Prospect in His Pro Debut
He’s down with a shoulder issue right now, but Thomas Harrington showed he was a top ten prospect in the system with his 2023 debut.
**J.P. Massey Shows His Future Potential During Eventful 2023 Season
After a trip to the MLB Future’s Game, and a full season in A-ball, J.P. Massey is showing off potential that could lead to a future in Pittsburgh.
**Jackson Wolf’s Elevator Delivery Explained
Solometo isn’t the only lefty with a funky delivery. Read about Jackson Wolf, who the Pirates acquired from the Padres last year at the deadline.
Song of the Day
I’ve been keeping the P2Daily songs to one artist per week. I’ve been rocking out to some CCR lately, and went with them in the return of this daily feature. This is my favorite Creedence song.
