The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted one of their top performers in the system this past week, with a few other minor moves taking place. At the Triple-A level, their depth options stood out with big numbers last week. The pitching excelled in Altoona, and the hitting stood out in Greensboro.
Every Tuesday, I recap the top performers from the previous week. Below are the top performers in the Pirates system from June 18th-24th.
INDIANAPOLIS
TOP HITTERS
- Alika Williams – .467/.556/.733, 2 2B, 18 PA
- Andres Alvarez – .400/.438/.733, HR, 2 2B, 17 PA
- Matt Gorski – .333/.400/.667, HR, 3 2B, 20 PA
The Pirates don’t have much hitting depth in the minors, outside of MLB bench options who might have a chance to be fringe-starters at this point in their careers. Alika Williams and Matt Gorski lead that list as the top infield and outfield depth options in Triple-A. They both had big weeks this past week, with Williams hitting and reaching base, while Gorski continued hitting for power. Andres Alvarez joined them on the leaderboards. He could be a depth option who might be able to one day stick on an MLB bench due to his versatility and contact skills.
TOP PITCHERS
- Domingo German – 11.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 7 BB, 12 K, 1 HR
- Jake Woodford – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HR
- Luis Cessa – 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
None of these pitchers are prospects, but they represent the best short-term depth the Pirates have in the upper levels of the system. Domingo German had two of his best starts of the year as he gets into a groove in the month of June. Jake Woodford and Luis Cessa were both added recently as minor league free agents, with both having MLB experience. The Pirates could call on either veteran pitcher for short-term help. From a prospect standpoint, the top performer this week was Braxton Ashcraft, who pitched 4.1 shutout innings, allowing three hits, three walks, and striking out four.
ALTOONA
TOP HITTERS
- Charles McAdoo – .250/.318/.650, 2 HR, 2 2B, 22 PA
- Sammy Siani – .316/.435/.474, HR, 24 PA
- Kervin Pichardo – .385/.385/.500, HR, 27 PA
The numbers from Charles McAdoo are split between High-A and Double-A. Both of his home runs came at the Double-A level, with a homer in each of his first two games. The Pirates promoted him from High-A heading into the weekend, after last year’s 13th rounder hit .336/.415/.561 in 258 plate appearances for Greensboro. He hit .333/.400/1.111 in his first two games with Altoona. Sammy Siani was promoted from Greensboro earlier in the season. He hit his third homer of the year for Altoona, and is batting .268/.333/.423 with two of those homers in the month of June. Kervin Pichardo hit his fifth homer of the year since being acquired by the Pirates at the start of the season.
TOP PITCHERS
- Bubba Chandler – 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K
- Po-Yu Chen – 11.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, 1 HR
- Thomas Harrington – 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR
Bubba Chandler had the best start of his pro career. He set a new high in strikeouts, and matched his previous high for seven shutout innings. Po-Yu Chen is having a good month, posting a 2.73 ERA in 29.2 innings during the month of June. He had two good starts this past week, combining for three runs in 11 innings. Thomas Harrington now has a 3.11 ERA in 37.2 innings with Altoona, while striking out 36 and walking three.
GREENSBORO
TOP HITTERS
- Shawn Ross – .286/.375/.714, 2 HR, 16 PA
- Lonnie White Jr. – .417/.563/.500, 2B, 16 PA
- Jack Brannigan – .308/.438/.615, HR, 2B, 16 PA
Shawn Ross hit two homers this week, giving him 14 on the season. He hit 14 homers last year in High-A, but needed 43 additional plate appearances to get there. Ross is batting .202/.378/.545, and is a three-outcomes player in High-A. Lonnie White Jr. has been a three-outcomes player this year, but had a more rounded week of hitting and getting on base. Jack Brannigan hit his eighth homer and ninth double of the season. Greensboro had a big week on offense, with Nick Cimillo and Termarr Johnson both putting up an OPS above .850, with two home runs each.
TOP PITCHERS
- Patrick Reilly – 9.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 15 K, 2 HR
- Wilber Dotel – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
- Dominic Perachi – 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
Patrick Reilly made two starts, and led the system in strikeouts this week, with 15 in his 9.2 innings. His three runs allowed came on two home runs. Wilber Dotel and Dominic Perachi both gave Greensboro six shutout innings. They’ve both looked like guys who could remain in the rotation at the next level. Perachi has been given that chance in Altoona this year, and could move up for a more permanent role if he keeps up this level of pitching.
BRADENTON
TOP HITTERS
- Javier Rivas – .304/.333/.522, HR, 2 2B, 24 PA
- Keiner Delgado – .318/.375/.364, 2B, 24 PA
- Esmerlyn Valdez – .200/.273/.450, HR, 2 2B, 22 PA
Javier Rivas has been one of the most consistent hard hitters in Bradenton this year, but most of the season has seen those hard hits turn to outs. He’s been hitting well all month, with a .385/.444/.723 line and five home runs. He continued that hitting this week, with an .855 OPS and his sixth homer of the year. None of the other Bradenton hitters had an OPS above .800. Keiner Delgado did a good job this week of hitting for average and getting on base. Esmerlyn Valdez added power numbers with a homer and two doubles.
TOP PITCHERS
- Antwone Kelly – 5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
- Hung-Leng Chang – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
- Inmer Lobo – 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Antwone Kelly has emerged as one of the most interesting pitching prospects at the level. The 20-year-old from Aruba has a 2.01 ERA in 40.1 innings since the start of May. I wrote about him in the latest Saturday Sleepers article. Hung-Leng Chang has a 4.20 ERA in 49.1 innings in the Bradenton rotation this year. Inmer Lobo was promoted to Bradenton this week, after starting the week with a save in the FCL. Lobo pitched three innings in Single-A, allowing one unearned run, with two walks and two strikeouts.
FCL PIRATES
TOP HITTERS
- Jhonny Severino – .267/.389/.533, 2 3B, 18 PA
- Richard Ramirez – .353/.353/.529, 2B, 3B, 17 PA
- Tony Blanco Jr. – .250/.308/.500, HR, 13 PA
Jhonny Severino was acquired for Carlos Santana last year. He’s batting .281/.380/.553 with six homers in 137 plate appearances this season. Richard Ramirez is in his first season in the FCL, after two years in the DSL. He’s batting .309/.407/.505 with three homers in 113 plate appearances. Tony Blanco Jr. hit his fourth homer of the year in 80 plate appearances. He’s batting .304/.388/.551.
TOP PITCHERS
- Zander Mueth – 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
- Alexis Torres – 3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
- Clevari Tejada – 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Zander Mueth is the top pitching prospect at the level, after being drafted 67th overall out of the prep ranks last year. Mueth had the best start of his young career, throwing five shutout innings with seven strikeouts this week. Alexis Torres threw 3.1 innings in relief, allowing one run and striking out five. Clevari Tejada got a start this week, allowing one run in 3.1 innings. Both international pitchers are making the jump to the FCL this year.
DSL PIRATES
TOP HITTERS
- Andres Villafane – .500/.571/.750, 3 2B, 14 PA
- Edward Florentino – .333/.467/.583, HR, 16 PA
- Isaias Dipre – .333/.444/.467, 3B, 18 PA
Andres Villafane is in his second season, batting .321/.400/.429, after only a .500 OPS in his pro debut last year. Edward Florentino was signed this January, and has shown early power, hitting his second homer of the year this past week. Isaias Dipre missed the 2023 season, after spending two years in the DSL. He’s returned this year with a .310/.464/.691 line and four homers in 56 plate appearances.
TOP PITCHERS
- Adolfo Oviedo – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
- Luis Joseph – 4.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K
- Adrian Aray – 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Adolfo Oviedo threw five shutout innings in his latest outing. He had a 2.60 ERA in 34.2 innings as a starter last year in his second DSL season. Luis Joseph is in his fourth DSL season, with a 3.60 ERA in 10 innings so far. Adrian Aray is in his rookie season, with a 3.65 ERA in 12.1 innings so far.
MONDAY ROOKIE BALL RECAP
The FCL Pirates lost 6-3.
Tony Blanco Jr. went 1-for-3 with a two run homer in the first. It was his fourth of the year. Jhonny Severino went 2-for-3 with a triple and a walk.
The DSL Pirates Black lost 9-2.
Kendrick Herrera went 1-for-3 with a triple and a walk. Jesus Lizardo went 1-for-3 with a double.
The DSL Pirates Gold won 7-6.
Edward Florentino hit his second homer of the year, going 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs. Daje Morales went 2-for-4 with two doubles. RHP Adrian Aray got the start, allowing one run in 4.2 innings, with two hits, two walks, and three strikeouts.
TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE
- Triple-A: Indianapolis, 6:45 PM – TBD
- Double-A: Altoona, 6:00 PM – RHP Drake Fellows (2-0, 2.38)
- High-A: Greensboro, 7:05 PM – TBD
- Single-A: Bradenton, 6:30 PM – TBD
- Rookie: FCL Pirates, 12:00 PM – TBD
- Rookie: DSL Pirates Black, 11:00 AM – TBD
- Rookie: DSL Pirates Gold, 11:00 AM – TBD
