Morning Rundown: Jhonny Severino Homers In Debut, Mitch Jebb Four Hit Game, Rookies Come Up Big For Pirates
Recent newcomers to the system have a big game at the plate in the minors, with a couple of rookies carrying the offense in the majors.
It didn’t take long for the newest addition to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization to make an impact. Just a couple of days after being acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers, Jhonny Severino hit a two run home run in just his second at-bat for the FCL Pirates.
He would later reach on an error, advanced to second on a passed ball, then steal third before finally swiping home after Sergio Campana took second.
Not a bad start, flashing that raw power that was his main calling card, as well as showing a little speed and base running awareness.
The first player from the 2023 draft class to play a professional game, Mitch Jebb, a second round pick out of Michigan State, is off to a great start to his career.
In three games played, Jebb has eight hits, two of which have been doubles. Saturday night he picked up four hits, including a slick lefty vs lefty opposite field hit.
A college draft pick, it probably shouldn’t be too much of a surprise but also we are seeing a little bit why Baseball America (55) and MLB Pipeline (60) were so high on his hit tool.
The Pirates have been able to patch together some sneaky good pitching at times throughout the season, but seems - especially as of late - struggled to get some timely hits on the offensive side of things.
It took some of the rookies to put together some big time hits to finally spark the offense to put up some seven runs on the board Saturday night against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Liover Peguero picked up three hits - including his second career home run - driving a pair of runs in. Endy Rodriguez, who came up at the same time as Peguero, drove in four runs on two hits - a double and triple.
The kids came up big, and the Pirates tied the series up.
Yesterday’s Feature
First Look: Hung-Leng Chang Struggles In Bradenton Debut
Signed at the age of 20-years-old out of Taiwan for $500,000 Hung-Leng Chang made his Single-A debut on Tuesday. While he struggled (2.2 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, K), it was an opportunity for a lot of people to see him pitch finally. Before we got to my observation of Chang for Tuesday night, a little update from WTM, who has seen him pitch quite a few times…
Hung-Leng Chang made his Bradenton debut earlier in the week, and I did a write up on it, with WTM also pitching in his observations from his FCL days.
Minor League Recap 7/29
Indianapolis Indians - 6 vs Louisville Bats - 3
Top Hitter - Rodolfo Castro: 3-5, R, 4 RBI, HR (1)
Top Pitcher - Luis Ortiz: 5 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Altoona Curve - 3 vs Harrisburg Senators - 13
Top Hitter - Lolo Sanchez: 3-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR (4)
Top Pitcher - Geronimo Franzua: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 13 vs Winston Salem Dash - 4
Top Hitter - Jack Brannigan: 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR (2),
Top Pitcher - Bubba Chandler: 5 IP, 2 H, ER, 4 K
Bradenton Marauders - 10 vs St. Lucie Mets - 3
Top Hitter - Nick Cimillo: 3-5, 2 R, RBI, 2B, HR (8)
Top Pitcher - Dominic Perachi: 6.1 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 10 K
FCL Pirates - 7 vs FCL Orioles - 6
Top Hitter - Jhonny Severino: 1-3, 2 R, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Eliecer Romero: IP, H, BB, 2 K, SV (3)
Great pics there WTM! Just as you promised!
How do I find out Mitch Jebb’s exit velocity? I am on Baseball Savant and did a search, but got nothing I wouldn’t see on BRef. Tried all of the options…….nothing.