Morning Rundown: JT Brubaker trade completed, FCL Roster taking form
JT Brubaker trade to Yankees finalized with PTBNL announced, roster assignments to the FCL
The question on who the PTBNL in the JT Brubaker trade to the Yankees was answered on Tuesday.
To finalize the trade, the Yankees have sent infielder Keiner Delgado to the Pirates. He was assigned to the FCL Pirates afterwards.
Delgado, 20, signed for $100,000 out of Venezuela, and has put up solid numbers early in his career. He’s stolen 70 bases over the last two years between the DSL and FCL. While both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline rate his power well below average, he did hit eight home runs last year in 49 FCL games.
He also walked more than he struck out, and put up a 138 wRC+.
Delgado has a smaller frame (5’7”) and most reports have him more than likely being limited to second base, and Pipeline give compared him to a ‘more patient Thairo Estrada.’
The Florida Complex League will begin their season on Saturday, and while official rosters aren’t out yet for the Pirates, thanks to the transactions logs we have some idea on who may be starting out there.
At the very least, who will be coming over from the Dominican complex.
The following players are listed as being ‘assigned to FCL Pirates from DSL Pirates.’
RHP Carlos Mateo
RHP Clevari Tejada
LHP Jose Regalado
RHP Alexis Torres
SS John Zorrilla
RHP David Matoma
RHP Pitterson Rosa
OF Eduardo Oviedo
SS Roinny Aguiar
IF Carlos Caro
RHP Greiber Mendez
RHP Carlos Castillo
1B Carlos Tirado
OF Tony Blanco Jr.
RHP Dioris Martinez
SS Isaias Dipre
Zander Mueth was also assigned to the FCL Pirates, which was an expected move.
When the entire roster is released, we will have a breakdown and some players to watch. This is the first year they have moved the start of the season up, and the schedule also ends a month earlier.
Paul Skenes pitched six complete innings for the first time in his professional career, needing only 75 pitches to get through his start.
Across those six frames, the 2023 first-overall pick allowed four hits and one walk while striking out seven batters.
He averaged 99.8 mph on his fastball and hit triple-digits 13 times. Skenes also picked up 11 whiffs on 41 swings. The fastball itself generated four whiffs on 20 swings (20%).
This week will be the first time that Skenes is truly pitching on four days rest, as he is also scheduled to pitch on Sunday.
On top of the DSL to FCL assignments
RHP Domingo German assigned to FCL Pirates
Greensboro Grasshoppers activated OF Lonnie White Jr. from the 7-day injured list
Greensboro Grasshoppers released RHP Yunior Thibo
Indianapolis Indians sent CF Joshua Palacios on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders
Altoona Curve activated OF Connor Scott
Altoona Curve placed C Abrahan Gutierrez on the 7-day injured list
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Top Exit Velocity
Bryan Reynolds - PIT - 107 mph - Lineout
Michael A. Taylor - PIT - 106.7 mph - Single
Garret Forrester - BRD - 106.7 mph - Single
Garret Forrester - BRD - 105.9 mph - Single
Nick Gonzales - IND - 105.6 mph - Home Run
Top Pitch Velocity
Paul Skenes - IND - 101 mph
Paul Skenes - IND - 100.9 mph
Paul Skenes - IND - 100.9 mph
Paul Skenes - IND - 100.7 mph
Paul Skenes - IND - 100.4 mph
Most Whiffs
Carlos Jimenez - BRD - 13
Paul Skenes - IND - 11
Bubba Chandler - ALT - 8
Hunter Barco - GBO - 8
Justin Meis - ALT - 6
Indianapolis Indians - 4 vs Buffalo Bisons - 3
Top Hitter - Liover Peguero: 2-3, R, RBI, BB, 3B
Top Pitcher - Paul Skenes: 6 IP, 4 H, BB, 7 K
Altoona Curve - 2 vs Harrisburg Senators - 3
Top Hitter - Tsung-Che Cheng: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Justin Meis: 2.1 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 5 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 9 vs Winston Salem Dash - 2
Top Hitter - Charles McAdoo: 3-3, 2 R, 5 RBI, BB, 3B, 2 HR
Top Pitcher - Derek Diamond: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 K
Bradenton Marauders - 7 vs Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
Top Hitter - Garret Forrester: 3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Carlos Jimenez: 3 IP, H, 3 BB, 7 K
Probable Pitchers
Pittsburgh Pirates - Quinn Priester
Indianapolis Indians - Eric Lauer
Altoona Curve - Sean Sullivan
Greensboro Grasshoppers - Patrick Reilly
Bradenton Marauders - Hung-Leng Chang
The one good thing about the early aughts and the reign of players like Ka'ai Tom, along with getting older, is I don't really get angry and pissed at the Pirates anymore. I'm just disappointed.
"likely being limited to second base" is a phrase I'll always associate with this prospect era of pirates baseball