Morning Rundown: Josh Palacios Continues Clutch Play, Michael Kennedy Bradenton Debut
The outfielder comes up big with a go-ahead two run home run in the top of the ninth against the St. Louis Cardinals
So, if you are going to get a hit here and there, you might as well make it when it matters the most.
Entering Saturday night’s game against the Cardinals, Josh Palacios has gone 8-for-16 with two home runs (three doubles), and six RBI in ‘late/close’ situations for the Pirates.
You can add a ninth hit to that mark, as he took Drew VerHagen deep, trailing by one, to give the Pirates the lead.
Palacios hasn’t been great this year, but he certainly makes his hit count, coming up big in several key situations.
With Henry Davis out, the right field position is kind of up for grabs at the moment, even with the Pirates calling up Miguel Andujar. He started to take batting practice yesterday, but in the mean time a right field platoon of Andujar/Palacios/Connor Joe seems likely.
Nick Dombkowski
The lefty was an undrafted free agent signing in 2021, and has slowly worked his way up the minors, even getting stretched out as a starter this year. Yesterday he was promoted to Indianapolis to finish out the season.
That should come with the caveat that Roansy Contreras was scratched from his start with shoulder soreness. It could just to be cover things for now, but also this late in the season, and it being the shoulder (and mix in the previous velocity drop), and they may be using Dombkowski to take his spot the rest of the season.
Michael Kennedy Bradenton Debut
The lefty was coming off a very strong season in the Florida Complex League, and on Friday got to make his Bradenton debut. Saturday he was placed on the Development List, likely signaling the end of his season, but regardless, a very strong step forward for the super young pitcher.
Minor League Recap 8/2
Indianapolis Indians - 3 vs Buffalo Bisons - 7
Top Hitter - Ryan Vilade: 2-4, R, 2B
Top Pitcher - Hunter Stratton: IP, BB, K
Altoona Curve - 2 vs Erie Seawolves - 3
Top Hitter - Lolo Sanchez: 3-4, RBI
Top Pitcher - Michell Miliano: 3.1 IP, H, 2 BB, 4 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 8 vs Hickory Crawdads - 1
Top Hitter - Wyatt Hendrie: 2-4, 3 RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Bubba Chandler: 5 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 4 K
Bradenton Marauders - 9 vs Palm Beach Cardinals - 3
Top Hitter - Lonnie White Jr.: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB
Top Pitcher - Carlos Jimenez: 1.1 IP, 3 BB, 4 K
I'm traveling today, so we might need to use this as the Gameday thread since it's a day game.
Lonnie White, Jr for me is the most underrated prospect in the Pirates system:
*He’s still only 20 and doesn’t turn 21 until December 31st.
*At Low A he’s slashed .267/.408/.504 in a league that generally suppresses offense.
*He’s 10 for 11 in stolen base attempts.
*He puts the ball in the air, with a GO/AO ration of 0.68.
*With the Marauders he’s seen an impressive 4.2 pitches per plate appearance.
*His strikeouts are on the high side —- 48 in 137 at bats —- but he’s also walked 28 times.
I think he’s been downgraded both by analysts and us fans because he’s missed so much time. But he’s shown this year that when healthy he is an excellent player. Hopefully he’ll stay healthy, explode at Greensboro next year, and get to Altoona by the end of the season.