The Pittsburgh Pirates are going to need starting pitching this week. Fortunately, they have a top performer ready to go in Indianapolis. Down in Altoona, there were a lot of standout pitching performances this week from pitchers who could find themselves in Triple-A by the end of the year. Bubba Chandler’s 7.2 shutout innings led the way. Greensboro had a huge week on offense, with several of the top hitters in the system, led by top hitting prospect Termarr Johnson.
Below are the top performers in the Pittsburgh Pirates system from July 2-8.
INDIANAPOLIS
TOP HITTERS
- Henry Davis – .455/.539/.636, 2 2B, 13 PA
- Ji Hwan Bae – .529/.500/.647, 3B, 18 PA
- Liover Peguero – .294/.294/.706, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 17 PA
Henry Davis returned to Indianapolis this week on a rehab appearance, and was optioned to Triple-A upon the completion of that rehab. He hit well across three games, while playing two behind the plate. Ji Hwan Bae made a lot of contact this week, while Liover Peguero had some of the hardest hits for Indianapolis.
TOP PITCHERS
- Quinn Priester – 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
- Ryan Borucki – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
- Braxton Ashcraft – 3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
The Pirates could turn to Quinn Priester this week for a spot start, especially after he allowed one run in five innings in his latest outing. They would need a starter around Wednesday or Thursday. Ryan Borucki looks close to returning to the MLB team, after pitching two perfect innings with five strikeouts on back to back nights. Braxton Ashcraft went three shutout innings in relief in his return off the injured list.
ALTOONA
TOP HITTERS
- Yoyner Fajardo – .400/.471/.600, 3 2B, 18 PA
- Dustin Peterson – .333/.385/.667, 2B, HR, 13 PA
- Sammy Siani – .313/.353/.438, 3B, 17 PA
Yoyner Fajardo has been one of the best hitters for Altoona since being re-acquired by the Pirates last month. Dustin Peterson is a 27-year-old veteran who has provided good offensive pacing for the Double-A team. Sammy Siani was promoted from Greensboro early in the season, and has shown flashes of hitting like this week, with a good ability to get on base and make contact.
TOP PITCHERS
- Bubba Chandler – 7.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
- Thomas Harrington – 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
- Po-Yu Chen – 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Altoona had some great starts this week. Bubba Chandler set a career-high by pitching into the eighth inning of a shutout performance. Thomas Harrington threw seven shutout innings. Po-Yu Chen allowed two runs, one earned, in his seven shutout innings, but had one of his best strikeout performances.
GREENSBORO
TOP HITTERS
- Termarr Johnson – .500/.625/.889, 2B, 2 HR, 24 PA
- Nick Cimillo – .316/.458/.842, 2B, 3 HR, 24 PA
- P.J. Hilson – .313/.389/.813, 2 2B, 2 HR, 18 PA
Greensboro had some of the best hitters this week, beyond the top three. Termarr Johnson hit two homers, and reached base at a .625 rate. Nick Cimillo hit three homers, extending his system lead to 17. P.J. Hilson also added two homers. Beyond those three, Mitch Jebb homered and stole six bases, while batting .333/.500/.611. Hudson Head put up a .983 OPS with a homer.
TOP PITCHERS
- Patrick Reilly – 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 9 K
- Dominic Perachi – 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
- Brandan Bidios – 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Patrick Reilly is the strikeout leader in the minor league system this year, and picked up nine more in his latest start. He’s dealt with control issues, and that was still present with his four walks allowed. Dominic Perachi has been one of the best starters for Greensboro lately, and added to his season with five shutout innings. Brandan Bidios is a hard-throwing reliever who struck out four in 2.1 scoreless innings.
BRADENTON
TOP HITTERS
- Jeral Toledo – .500/.625/.500, 16 PA
- Axiel Plaz – .154/.333/.462, 2B, HR, 18 PA
- Miguel Sosa – .154/.353/.385, HR, 17 PA
Jeral Toledo led the way for a quiet week on offense from Bradenton. Axiel Plaz continued hitting for power, but didn’t hit for average, which has been a trend for him so far. Miguel Sosa was added to the team recently from the FCL, and hit his first homer of the year for Bradenton.
TOP PITCHERS
- Aaron Shortridge – 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
- Connor Oliver – 4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
- Magdiel Cotto – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Aaron Shortridge threw four shutout innings in his latest rehab appearance, while striking out seven. Connor Oliver had the best performance from a Bradenton starter in a week where there weren’t many good outings. Magdiel Cotto pitched three shutout innings in relief.
FCL PIRATES
TOP HITTERS
- Yordany De Los Santos – .500/.550/1.063, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 20 PA, 3 SB
- Jhonny Severino – .222/.364/.611, 2B, 2 HR, 22 PA
- Jhonson Pena – .273/.357/.364, 2B, 14 PA
Yordany De Los Santos and Jhonny Severino have been the two most consistent hitters for the FCL Pirates this year. De Los Santos has hit for a high average, with added speed and some power. Severino leads the team in power, after adding two more homers this week. Jhonson Pena got on base at a high rate from the bottom of the lineup.
TOP PITCHERS
- Zander Mueth – 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
- Alexis Torres – 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
- Dioris Martinez – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Zander Mueth now has a 1.67 ERA in 37.2 innings. Last year’s 67th overall pick pitched five innings with one or fewer runs for the fourth straight start. Alexis Torres has struggled with control this year, but went 3.1 innings without a walk this week, while striking out seven. Dioris Martinez is an 18-year-old starter who has a 1.54 ERA in 11.2 innings so far in the FCL.
DSL PIRATES
TOP HITTERS
- Isaias Dipre – .364/.462/.546, 3B, 13 PA
- Cristian Jauregui – .364/.533/.455, 2B, 15 PA
- Edward Florentino – .313/.389/.500, 2B, 3B, 18 PA
Isaias Dipre has been one of the best hitters at this level, continuing to show improvements over his previous DSL seasons. Cristian Jauregui has been a consistent force at the top of the lineup. Edward Florentino is a first baseman who was signed this year, and has some of the best early numbers from the signing class.
TOP PITCHERS
- Adolfo Oviedo – 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
- Cesar Aquino – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
- Reinold Navarro – 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
Adolfo Oviedo is in his third DSL season, but is showing improvements this year with his control, while maintaining a high strikeout rate. Cesar Aquino has an 0.50 ERA in 18 innings in his pro debut, after signing with the Pirates in March. Reinold Navarro is also a recent signing, and has a 1.93 ERA in 14 innings, with a 21:8 K/BB.
ROOKIE BALL MONDAY RECAP
The FCL Pirates lost 5-4.
CF Estuar Suero went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. SS Yerry De Los Santos went 1-for-4 with a triple.
The DSL Pirates Black lost 12-3.
3B Frankeli Mesta went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI. 1B Yosmar Gimenez had two of the four hits in the game, and knocked in a run.
The DSL Pirates Gold won 2-0.
RHP Cesar Aquino pitched five shutout innings, allowing a walk and a hit, with six strikeouts. CF Cristian Jauregui went 1-for-1 with a stolen base. LF Isaias Dipre went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base.
TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE
- Triple-A: Indianapolis, 7:05 PM – TBD
- Double-A: Altoona, 6:00 PM – TBD
- High-A: Greensboro, 6:30 PM – RHP Wilber Dotel (6-3, 4.87)
- Single-A: Bradenton, 5:30 PM – TBD
- Rookie: FCL Pirates, 12:00 PM – TBD
- Rookie: DSL Pirates Black, 11:00 AM – TBD
- Rookie: DSL Pirates Gold, 10:00 AM – TBD
- Rookie: DSL Pirates Gold, Game Two – TBD
