Sometimes you don’t see the best results from the best prospects.
Sunday’s action featured left-handed pitcher Anthony Solometo on the mound for Altoona. The top five prospect in the system, and top 100 prospect in the eyes of some evaluators, had a rough day. Solometo allowed three runs on six hits in three innings of work. He struck out one and walked one. This followed a debut last week where he went four shutout innings with one hit allowed.
Braxton Ashcraft, one of the top ten prospects in the system, came in for two innings of relief. Ashcraft allowed two runs on three hits, with one walk and one strikeout.
Following Ashcraft, the Curve sent Valentin Linarez to the mound for two innings. I wrote about Linarez recently as a sleeper prospect to follow. The hard throwing reliever gave up four runs on three hits, with two walks and three strikeouts.
It wasn’t a good day for three very talented pitching prospects at the Double-A level. Still, the poor results today make Bubba Chandler’s four no-hit innings on Saturday against the same team all the more impressive.
PIRATES PROSPECT WATCH
INDIANAPOLIS lost 16-6 to Toledo, after an eight run second inning.
- CF Gilberto Celestino had three of the hardest hit balls of the game, leading to two hits and reaching base on an error.
- 3B Malcom Nunez hit his third homer of the year, giving Indianapolis their fifth run of the game when they were down 16-4.
- PH Eli Wilson had a pinch hit home run in the ninth inning.
- C Carter Bins went 3-for-4 with a double. He had two of the three hardest hit balls of the game.
- LHP Michael Plassmeyer gave up eight runs in 1.2 innings.
ALTOONA lost 10-2 with some of the best prospects in the system on the mound, noted above.
- LF Tres Gonzales went 2-for-4 with a double and a triple, getting the only extra base hits of the game for Altoona, and scoring a run. I wrote about Gonzales this past week, and the advanced approach he brings to the plate.
- 3B Brenden Dixon also picked up two hits in four at-bats, scoring the only other run of the game. He also stole his first base of the season.
- 1B Abrahan Gutierrez went 1-for-4, and has a hit in all six games he’s played this season, including going 6-for-15 this week.
- DH Seth Beer went 2-for-3.
- C Dylan Shockley went 1-for-4 with an RBI.
GREENSBORO won 6-4, after scoring four in the top of the ninth and holding off a three run surge from Winston-Salem.
- C Shawn Ross went 1-for-3 with a two run homer, giving Greensboro a lead and breaking a scoreless game in the fifth inning.
- DH Hudson Head launched his second homer of the year in the ninth inning with two on base, giving the Grasshoppers important insurance runs.
- RHP Wilber Dotel, who went four shutout innings earlier this week, was pulled after 1.1 shutout frames and three walks allowed today.
- 2B Termarr Johnson went 1-for-3 with a walk.
- RHP Yunior Thibo pitched two shutout innings, getting the win as the pitcher on the mound when Greensboro took the lead in the fifth.
BRADENTON lost 7-5 to Lakeland, falling to 1-8 on the season.
- RHP Khristian Curtis allowed five runs on three hits and two walks, giving up two homers. He struck out five batters, getting good results from a 91 MPH cutter.
- RF P.J. Hilson, acquired in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, went 2-for-4 with a homer.
- C Garret Forrester got another start behind the plate, and went 0-for-2 with two walks.
- 3B Jesus Castillo went 1-for-3 with two walks and two strikeouts. He was caught stealing for the first time this season in seven attempts.
- CF Shalin Polanco went 1-for-4 with a walk.
STATCAST HEROES
Indianapolis had three of the hardest hit balls off the bat of Gilberto Celestino. He doubled, singled, and reached on an error. Carter Bins had two of the hardest hit balls, with a double and a single. STATS
Khristian Curtis picked up four whiffs on his cutter today on seven swings. His fastball sat 96 MPH, touching 97.2, picking up six called strikes. He also threw a changeup, slider, and curveball.
TOMORROW’S SCHEDULE
The minor leagues are off on Monday. Check the site tomorrow for the weekly recap of all of the best performers in the Pirates’ system.
