Jared Jones continues to be the bright spot and the hope during this 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates season. On Saturday, Jones pitched seven shutout innings, allowing one hit, no walks, and striking out ten.
For a short time, it looked like the Pirates might waste the start. Their offense was shut out across six innings against Rockies lefty Austin Gomber, who had a road ERA over 6.00 heading into the start. It was the second game in a row where the offense was shut down by a struggling Rockies pitcher.
Fortunately, the Pirates rallied in the ninth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jack Suwinski delivered an opposite field single, giving the Pirates a 1-0 victory. The single scored Connor Joe, who went 2-for-3 with a walk, standing out as the best hitter of the game. Colin Holderman and David Bednar each pitched shutout frames to get the scoreless game to the ninth inning for the walkoff.
The fact that the Pirates didn’t waste the gem from Jones is a good thing. The fact that this offense continues getting shut down by bad pitchers is a concern.
STATCAST HEROES
Jared Jones picked up 17 whiffs, led by 11 on 29 swings against his fastball. With 11 more called strikes, the pitch had a 42% called and swinging strike rate on 53 pitches. When you can throw that many of the same pitch, with such a high percentage of strikes, you’re going to have a good game.
The minor league Statcast Heroes can be found in the nightly Pirates Prospect Watch.
DAILY VIDEO RUNDOWN
Jack Suwinski walks it off for a Pirates win.
Captain Jack delivers. 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/5gY91zlVA2
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 4, 2024
Paul Skenes pitches for Indianapolis on Sunday. Here are all of his strikeouts in Triple-A this year.
All 41 Paul Skenes strikeouts, all in one place.
We're 24 hours away from Skenes Sunday. Be there: https://t.co/IyLaMuRf27 pic.twitter.com/iETmiQx1XS
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) May 4, 2024
Jackson Glenn hit an opposite field home run for Altoona.
.@JacksonCGlenn YARD WORK
WE LEAD IT 3-1 pic.twitter.com/U8OYmi6erl
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) May 4, 2024
Jack Brannigan homered for Greensboro.
Jack Brannigan HOMER💣
Hoppers: 3 | Dash: 4 pic.twitter.com/wtQ6Z2Fzgj
— Greensboro Grasshoppers (@GSOHoppers) May 5, 2024
LHP Michael Kennedy struck out eight batters for the second time in his last three starts with Bradenton.
.@mike_kennedy31 TIES his career-high with eight strikeouts! pic.twitter.com/wqXYQbicZz
— Bradenton Marauders (@The_Marauders) May 4, 2024
Esmerlyn Valdez homered to help Bradenton to a win.
Esmerlyn Valdez uses the FORCE! A three-run HR in the first! pic.twitter.com/eeoVUfFisz
— Bradenton Marauders (@The_Marauders) May 4, 2024
ROSTER MOVES
RHP Owen Kellington was placed on the full-season injured list with the Bradenton Marauders, after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Kellington was a fourth rounder in 2021, and part of the plan to load up on over-slot prep players after drafting Henry Davis first overall.
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
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TODAY: PIRATES (15-19) VS ROCKIES (8-25)
Game Time: 1:35 PM EDT
Watch: SportsNet-PIT
Listen: KDKA-FM 93.7
Pirates Starter: Bailey Falter, LHP (2-2, 4.22)
Rockies Starter: Ryan Feltner, RHP (1-2, 5.13)
In the Minors…
- Triple-A: Indianapolis, 1:35 PM – RHP Paul Skenes (0-0, 0.53)
- Double-A: Altoona, 1:00 PM – LHP Anthony Solometo (0-1, 6.23)
- High-A: Greensboro, 2:00 PM – TBD
- Single-A: Bradenton, 12:00 PM – RHP Khristian Curtis (0-2, 6.28)
- Rookie: FCL Pirates OFF
THIS WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
This week’s featured column for Patreon subscribers looks at the below-average offense of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the idea of replacing hitting coach Andy Haines as a solution.
**Williams: The Pirates Are Severely Lacking on Offense
Jared Jones has been putting up better numbers than any Pirates rookie I can remember for decades. I looked at the early results from the right-hander, who is a Rookie of the Year candidate.
**Jared Jones is Having a Special Start to His MLB Career
The Pirates drafted Henry Davis first overall in 2021, with hopes of getting a power hitting catcher. He’s not hitting for power this year, and grades below-average behind the plate, which might necessitate a change.
**Henry Davis Has Questions on Both Sides of His Game
Paul Skenes is schedule for a two-start week this week, for the first time in his pro career. As the top prospect gets to a regular workload, I look at when he might arrive in the Majors, and how many innings he might throw.
**When Will Paul Skenes Arrive in the Majors?
The Pirates went with Jared Triolo as their starting second baseman out of Spring Training, which was a move that was deserved. After his early results, and early results from Nick Gonzales in Triple-A, they might need to make a change.
**Jared Triolo Looks Like a Major Leaguer, But Not a Starter
Depth is going to be crucial for the 2024 Pirates to have a winning season. They’ve already seen a few players step up to contribute in the Majors. I looked at five depth options who have excelled this year, led by RHP Hunter Stratton.
**Five Depth Options Who Have Excelled For the 2024 Pirates
SONG OF THE DAY
