Minor-league top performers: Konnor Griffin finishes strong, Hunter Barco shuout streak continues
Hunter Barco pitches twice, holds Chesapeake off the board
Another week in the books across the Pirates’ system. This is the last week before all of the minor league affiliates get underway as the rookie league teams join the fold this weekend.
With that being said, here’s a look back at some of the top performers in the Pirates’ system this past week:
Top Hitters
Konnor Griffin SS/CF, Bradenton
Last Week: .348/.348/.739, 6 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7 K, 1/1 SB
Season: .270/.345/.514, 17 R, 4 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 6 BB, 25 K
It was a rough start to the week for Konnor Griffin, but he finished in style. He picked up an extra base hit in the final three games of the series—collecting three doubles on Sunday.
He hit home runs on Friday and Saturday, giving him four now on the season. The added thump in the bat limited him to one stolen base on the week, but he still has 11 this year.
Mitch Jebb 2B/CF, Altoona
Last Week: .478/.500/.522, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, 3 K, 4/4 SB
Season: .297/.410/.328, 10 R, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 13 BB, 11 K, 9/10 SB
This past week is the perfect example why the Pirates were high enough on Mitch Jebb to take him in the second round in 2023. He batted nearly .500, had almost as many walks (two) as strikeouts (3) and stole four bases.
He’s walked more than he has struck out this season and his next steal will put him in double-digits.
Jhonny Severino
Last Week: .455/.478/.591, 2 R, 3 2B, 4 RBI, BB, 6 K, 1/3 SB
Season: .253/.289/.418, 6 R, 7 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 4 BB, 22 K, 2/6 SB
It was a slow start, but things starting to slowly turn for Jhonny Severino. He got hits in nearly half of his at-bats and picked up three doubles. The Marauders struggled to manifacture runs last week at times, but Severino came through in several situations.
Top Pitchers
Hunter Barco
This Week: 2 GS, 7.2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 16 K
Season: 5 GS, 0.00 ERA, 20.2 IP, 9 H, 4 BB, 30 K
Hunter Barco turned in a brilliant two-start week against Chesapeake, stretching out his shutout streak to start the season to 20.2 innings. He struck out eight and generated 15 whiffs on 47 pitches (three innings) on Sunday.
Hung-Leng Chang
This Week: GS, 0.00 ERA, 5 IP, H, BB, 9 K
Season: 4 GS, 4.50 ERA, 16 IP, 13 H, 7 BB, 14 K
Turning in the best start of his career, Hung-Leng Chang struck out nine (career best) over five innings on one hit, one walk, shutout ball. It was an efficient 67 pitch outing. The nine strikeouts was almost double his total amount from the first three games (five).
Hunter Furtado
This Week: 3 IP, 6 K
Season: 7 G, 2.79 ERA, 9.2 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 16 K
This one is a little different. I could have done buba Chandler, or probably more likely, Wilber Dotel.
I decided to go slightly off-book here and go Hunter Furtado, who struck out six in three perfect innings that spanned two games last week. A left-handed reliever out of Alabama, Furtado has seen a significant velocity jump this year (went from 90 to 95), and topped 97 mph in his second outing.
The walks are way down and the stuff has improved. It’s harder for relievers to get recognized here, but he was good enough it was worth noting.
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Maybe just becomes Im gasping at straws for anything to make me feel better about the major league club, but there seems to be many more bright spots on the farm than there we're last year. Hopefully its a system on the rise
Hunter Furtado is a reliever? It's getting harder to tell the difference since starters pitch so few innings anymore. Hunter Barco has looked great but how often has he gone through a lineup more than once? I like Barco and his season but I'd like it more if he was learning how to actually throw some volume in games. I know the "injury watchers" wouldn't like more volume but I have yet to see actual evidence that pampering these guys actually prevents injuries. If there is a reason to pump the brakes, do it. Otherwise these guys should be building up to actually be starters.