Morning Rundown: Florida Complex League begins today
Play at the Complex begins for the 2025 season
The 2025 Florida Complex League begins on Saturday, with the Pittsburgh Pirates taking on the Baltimore Orioles. The first game will occur at Pirate City, with an expected start time of 10 a.m.
The Pirates’ complex team made it to the FCL championship series last year, losing to the FCL Tigers.
Some of the notable names include:
Wyatt Sanford
Levi Sterling
Eddie Rynders
Edward Florentino
Richard Ramirez
WTM broke down the entire roster for yesterday’s feature, you can check that out here:
Pirates' 2025 Minor League Previews: FCL Pirates
The FCL Pirates should have some legit position player prospects. That’s helped by the team’s so-far unique focus on prep hitters in the most recent draft.
I will have another separate feature out later today, around 9 am, looking at a few specific players that will begin at the Complex.
I’m in Bradenton for the start of the FCL season, as well as to catch some Marauders games next week.
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Altoona Curve placed CF Jase Bowen on the 7-day injured list
Altoona Curve activated OF Imanol Vargas
Altoona Curve placed RHP Derek Diamond on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to May 1, 2025
Bradenton Marauders activated RHP Carlos Castillo from the 7-day injured list
RHP Tyler Kennedy assigned to FCL Pirates from Bradenton Marauders
Pittsburgh Pirates recall SS Liover Peguero from Indianapolis Indians
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Hunter Stratton to Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians activated C Eli Wilson
Top Exit Velocity
Jack Suwinski - 113.6 mph - Double
Axiel Plaz - 110.2 mph - Home Run
Solomon Maguire - 107 mph - Lineout
Matt Frazier - 106.7 mph - Single
Nick Yorke - 106.4 mph - Home Run
Top Pitch Velocity
Braxton Ashcraft - IND - 96.9 mph
Braxton Ashcraft - IND - 96.6 mph
Braxton Ashcraft - IND - 96.5 mph
Braxton Ashcraft - IND - 96.4 mph
Braxton Ashcraft - IND - 96.3 mph
Most Whiffs
Alessandro Ercolani - ALT - 10
Braxton Ashcraft - IND - 9
Jaden Woods - ALT - 6
Jack Carey - GBO - 6
Carlos Castillo - BRD - 5
Jonawel Valdez - BRD - 5
*Did not include the major league team; they were running late, and I was exhausted from traveling.
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Indianapolis Indians - 6 vs Omaha Storm Chasers - 0
Top Hitter - Nick Yorke: 2-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Braxton Ashcraft: 6 IP, 2 H, BB, 6 K
Altoona Curve - 6 vs Akron RubberDucks - 2
Top Hitter - Nick Cimillo: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Alessandro Ercolani: 4 IP, 5 H, ER, 4 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 11 vs Winston Salem Dash - 9
Top Hitter - Maikol Escotto: 4-5, R, 3 RBI, SB
Top Pitcher - Brandan Bidois: 1.1 IP, H, 3 K
Bradenton Marauders - 7 vs Clearwater Threshers
Top Hitter - Axiel Plaz: 3-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI
Top Pitcher - Jonawel Valdez: 4 IP, H, BB, 3 K
Sanford is the new Davis. Just got hit for the second time in three trips.
FYI
Just changed the fantasy baseball team name from Redus and Weep to Bream On. Seeing his Donruss card picture every time I check my team reminds me that they once were competing at a high level. And I'm exercising demons of that fateful day.
Thanks and enjoy the day.