This entire minor league season Pirates Prospects will have a daily minor league thread listing the Pirates minor league teams along with their record, scheduled games, probable starters (when available) and game notes. Be sure to check back throughout the day for any updates such as lineups, minor injuries or for the listing of pitchers not included in the original post. Here is your minor league opening day schedule/probables with all four full season teams getting it started today, Bryan Morris is the top prospect scheduled to start today.
Also, if you haven’t already, check out our in-depth minor league preview, featuring analysis on every level, plus quotes from players, coaches, and Pirates’ director of development Kyle Stark.
AAA : Indianapolis (0-0) VS Columbus (0-0) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Brian Burres (4-5 4.99 last year with the Pirates)
Game note: The opening day roster includes many prospects such as Justin Wilson, Rudy Owens, Chase d’Arnaud, Josh Harrison, Andrew Lambo and Gorkys Hernandez. They should also get Brad Lincoln soon as he recovers from getting hit by a line drive on his pitching arm during spring training.
AA: Altoona (0-0) @ Erie (0-0) 6:35pm
Probable starter: Bryan Morris (6-4 4.25 last year for Altoona)
Game note: Altoona begins their defense of the Eastern League title with a roster that includes top prospects Starling Marte, Tony Sanchez, Bryan Morris and Jeff Locke. This team looks like the best one to start the season, strong offense, defense, starting pitchers and bullpen.
High-A: Bradenton (0-0) @ Charlotte (0-0) 6:30pm
Probable starter: Kyle McPherson (9-9 3.59 last year for West Virginia)
Game note: Bradenton made it to the FSL playoffs in their first season last year. Top prospects on the team include Quinton Miller, Nate Baker, Robbie Grossman, Evan Chambers and Jarek Cunningham.
Low-A: West Virginia (0-0) VS Savannah (0-0) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Brandon Cumpton (0-1 2.53 last year for State College)
Game note: Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie are not on the opening day roster but prospects such as Colton Cain, Zack Dodson, Zack Von Rosenberg and Mel Rojas all are to start the year. Allie and Taillon will join the team at some point, they’re currently working in extended spring training allowing the Pirates to limit their innings their first full season in the pros.
Altoona Lineup:
Holt-2B
Marte-CF
Mercer-SS
Sanchez-C
Durham-1B
Latimore-LF
Farrell-3B
Fryer-DH
Chalk-RF
Bradenton Lineup:
Grossman -RF
Cunningham-2B
Chambers-CF
Snyder-C (Chris Snyder on rehab assignment)
Anderson-DH
White-IB
Rubenstein-LF
Elvys Gonzalez-3B
Benji Gonzalez-SS
Indianapolis Lineup:
Hernandez-CF
Ciriaco-SS
Presley-LF
Hague-1B
Lambo-RF
d’Arnaud-2B
Harrison-3B
Brown-C
Friday-DH
West Virginia Lineup:
Maggi-SS
Rojas-CF
Curry-1B
Avila-3B
Howard-DH
Diaz-C
Grovatt-RF
Noris-LF
Ngoepe-2B
