The full-season minor league teams were off this week for the All-Star Break, but the rookie ball teams were still playing. In the Pittsburgh Pirates’ system, the Florida Complex League team played three times, while both teams in the Dominican Summer League played four games.
The FCL season has a week to go, with the post-season starting next Saturday. The Pirates enter Friday’s action with a 31-23 record, sitting in second place in the FCL South, one game behind the Red Sox. They’re also half a game out from the Wild Card spot. They have five games remaining on the season.
The DSL seasons will continue into August, with the playoffs beginning on August 22nd. With a month remaining, the DSL Pirates Gold are in first place in the North division, with a 22-9 record. The DSL Pirates Black are in last place in the Northwest division, at 11-19.
Below are the notable performers for each team this week, with a few rehab appearances taking place in the FCL.
ROOKIE: FCL PIRATES
FCL PIRATES won two of their three games this week.
- 2B Carlos Caro: 7-for-10, 2B, BB, 2 SB, 2 RBI
- SS Yerry De Los Santos: 3-for-10, BB, 2 RBI, SB
- SS Jhonny Severino: 3-for-11, 2B, BB, SB, 2 RBI
- RHP Carlos Castillo: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
- RHP Hunter Stratton: 2 G, 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
- RHP Mike Burrows: 2.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
- RHP David Matoma: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Carlos Caro had two separate three-hit games. The infielder has done nothing but hit in rookie ball, and now has a .299 average and an .821 OPS on the season. Carlos Castillo has been a standout on the pitching side. The 18-year-old from Venezuela has a 2.84 ERA in 31.2 innings, with a 24:16 K/BB in his second pro season. Mike Burrows had his latest rehab start, and it was filled with a lot of unearned runs. Hunter Stratton returned for two separate scoreless innings. David Matoma pitched for the first time since June 21st. He has an 0.93 ERA in 19.1 innings this year, with a 24:7 K/BB.
ROOKIE: DSL PIRATES BLACK
DSL PIRATES BLACK won three of their four games this week.
- RF Bralyn Brazoban: 3-for-13, 2B, 3 RBI, BB, 3 SB
- RF Angel Aquino: 4-for-11, 2 BB, 3 RBI, SB
- LF Andres Villafane: 3-for-10, 2 3B, 3 RBI
- RHP Bladimir Pichardo: 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
- RHP Wifrailyn Jaquez: 4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Bralyn Brazoban was the top international signing by the Pirates this year. He’s had a slow debut at the plate, but had hits in three games this week, while stealing three bases in one game. Wifrailyn Jaquez was signed on April 1st this year. The 17-year-old from the Dominican has a 2.50 ERA in 18 innings, with a 14:7 K/BB and a .174 BAA.
ROOKIE: DSL PIRATES GOLD
DSL PIRATES GOLD won two of their four games this week.
- CF Cristian Jauregui: 7-for-14, 2 SB
- 1B Edward Florentino: 3-for-11, HR, 6 BB, 2 RBI, SB
- SS Daja Morales: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 4 BB, 3 RBI
- RHP Cesar Aquino: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
- RHP Adolfo Oviedo: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Cristian Jauregui has been a good leadoff hitter this year. After a big week, he’s batting .300, with an .807 OPS, and 14 stolen bases. Edward Florentino has been the best hitter of the rookie class, adding his sixth homer this week, and getting on base six times with free passes. Cesar Aquino is a 19-year-old who signed in March. He has an 0.82 ERA in 22 innings, with a 15:4 K/BB. Adolfo Oviedo has a 2.05 ERA in 26.1 innings in his third DSL season, showing significant improvements with his control this year.
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
- Triple-A: Indianapolis, 8:05 PM – TBD
- Double-A: Altoona, 7:05 PM – RHP Po-Yu Chen (4-7, 3.90)
- High-A: Greensboro, 7:00 PM – LHP Dominic Perachi (5-1, 2.06)
- Single-A: Bradenton, 6:30 PM – TBD
- Rookie: FCL Pirates, 12:00 PM – TBD
- Rookie: DSL Pirates Gold, 11:00 AM – TBD
