Morning Rundown: Jack Brannigan Promoted, Bradenton Near No-Hitter, Connor Joe At Second

Yesterday's news contained Jack Brannigan getting promoted, Marauders pitching combining for a near no-hitter and Connor Joe could see time at second base

There was plenty of movement around the minor league levels, that was mostly sparked by a pair of injuries.

Matt Gorski and Shalin Polanco were placed on the injured list after leaving their last games with injuries. Gorski getting put in the IL brought Mike Jarvis up from Greensboro to Altoona.

That opened the door for Jack Brannigan to get promoted to Greensboro after spending the first part of the season in Bradenton. The 2022 third round pick for the Pirates out of Notre Dame had put up a 137 wRC+ with 17 stolen bases and seven home runs in 49 games played this year with Bradenton.

Brannigan is interesting, just recently being added to MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 prospects for the Pirates, as he’s shown plus speed and a really great glove (and arm) while in the field.

He gets a push up to more of an age-appropriate level for someone coming out of the college ranks.

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Speaking of Bradenton, they almost pulled off something special for the third straight season. The Marauder pitching staff pushed a no-hitter into the ninth inning, which had they completed it, would have gave them one in three consecutive years.

In 2021, Jose Maldonado, Cam Junker, Brennan Malone, and Wandi Montour combined for a no-hitter against Dunedin. Last season, Quinn Priester (rehab), Anthony Solometo, Jake Sweeney, and Junior Thibo got together to blank Clearwater of hits.

This year Owen Kellington, Joshua Loeschorn, Brandon Bidois, and Elijah Birdsong nearly combined for the feat, with the latter surrendering a hit to Ruben Cespedes in the ninth inning.

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One of the interesting things about the make up of the 40-man roster, but also the upper levels of the minors, was the sheer amount of options when it comes to the middle infield position, especially second base.

So it seems an odd path the Pirates have taken that it appears that Connor Joe is set to make his major league debut at second base sometime in the near future. He had played it twice in the minors, back in 2018, totaling 17 innings at the position.

Ethan Hullihen first noted that Joe was taking reps there previously with Jason Mackey all but confirming it after talking to Derek Shelton about it.

Rodolfo Castro was sent back to Triple-A after struggling as of late, and Ji-Hwan Bae has been on the injured list, but the Pirates also have a current rotation of Nick Gonzales, Tucupita Marcano, and Liover Peguero capable of handling the middle infield.

The move seems more driven to try and keep Joe in the lineup, with former first overall pick Henry Davis taking over everyday reps in right field, and Ji-Man Choi returning as an option to back up Carlos Santana at first.

So, the Pirates have another player out of position, learning on the fly at the major league level.

Minor League Recap 7/21

Indianapolis Indians - 9 vs Iowa Cubs - 6

Top Hitter - Alika Williams: 3-4 3 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR (7)

Top Pitcher - Rob Zastryzny: IP, H, K

Altoona Curve - 1 vs Reading Fighting Phils - 4

Top Hitter - Abrahan Gutierrez: 2-4, R

Top Pitcher - Noe Toribio: 1.1 IP, H, 3 K

Greensboro Grasshoppers - 7 vs Wilmington Blue Rocks - 3

Top Hitter - Shawn Ross: 1-5, R, HR (7), 3 RBI

Top Pitcher - Dante Mendoza: 1.2 IP, 2 K

Bradenton Marauders - 11 vs Fort Myers Mighty Mussels - 3

Top Hitter - Josiah Sightler: 4-5, 3 RBI, 2B, HR (5)

Top Pitcher - Owen Kellington: 4 IP, BB, 5 K