Thank you to everyone for hanging out in the live thread throughout yesterday’s games, and this week as I’ve tried a new format for these daily discussions. I have some further plans to develop this article throughout the year to make it something truly unique to the site and to the name of the article.
For now, P2Live serves as a nice spot to provide my additional daily thoughts throughout the system. Feel free to add your own in the comments below, and check back during game time.
Mitch Keller takes the mound tonight, hoping to extend the Pirates’ winning streak to five games. If that happens, it will be the first five-game winning streak since 2019. I can’t think of a better person to get them there than the guy who is emerging as their ace.
If you missed it today, Anthony Murphy looks at how pitching has been the strength of the system, fueled by ten consecutive quality starts. That is the best stretch the Pirates have seen since June 7-19, 2015.
Pirates Prospects Daily: Pitching Continues To Be Strength Of the System
Ryan Palencer wrote about the offseason work from Tucupita Marcano, and how that is paying off with an early promotion to Pittsburgh.
Tucupita Marcano’s offseason work led to an early promotion to Pittsburgh
PIRATES VS REDS
Game Time: 6:35 PM EST
Pirates Starter: Mitch Keller (1-0, 3.80)
Reds Starter: Graham Ashcraft (2-0, 1.42)
Pirates Lineups:
TBA
Reds Lineups:
TBA
INDIANAPOLIS AT MEMPHIS
Game Time: 8:05 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBA
Nick Gonzales has been seeing a lot of errors while playing around the infield in Triple-A. Already this year, he’s made seven starts at third base and three starts at shortstop. He has three errors at third and two errors at short. In his six starts at second, he has yet to make an error. This is one of those cases where minor league development gets ugly when you get down to the daily work. Realistically, the Pirates don’t need Gonzales anywhere else than second. That said, there might be a benefit to having him working at other positions — either for added versatility in the future, or for a chance to work on a different mindset approach. We’ll see how this impacts him in the long-run. Also, hopefully nothing is serious with Endy Rodriguez.
ALTOONA VS BOWIE
Game Time: 6:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: Sean Sullivan (0-0, 0.00)
Sean Sullivan has made one appearance so far this season. He went 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out three. Cody Potanko wrote about Sullivan recently at Pittsburgh Baseball Now, after talking with him in Altoona.
GREENSBORO VS GREENVILLE
Game Time: 6:30 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBA
Greensboro had a lot going on in their 16-6 victory over Greenville last night. Bubba Chandler gave up two earned runs in five innings. Tsung-Che Cheng went 2-for-4 with a walk and two stolen bases. Jase Bowen picked up six hits. Sammy Siani had three hits and two doubles. I mention the hitter-friendly home park, and that’s only to keep in perspective the inflated numbers. You still need hitters to hit. The Pirates have a few interesting guys at this level who could get a confidence boost from that home ballpark.
BRADENTON VS DAYTONA
Game Time: 6:30 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBA
The Marauders are on a roll, winning six straight. They had two solid pitching performances last night from guys who have otherwise struggled this year. Alessandro Ercolani made his second start, giving up a hit and walking four in four shutout innings. He also struck out four. Joshua Loeschorn, who was drafted in the 20th round last year out of Long Island, went three shutout innings with four strikeouts and only one hit allowed.
