Morning Rundown: Lower Level Playoff Races For Final Week
A look at how the Pirates Single, and High-A affiliates are currently positioned in their respective playoff races entering the last week of the season.
Both the Greensboro Grasshoppers and Bradenton Marauders both played their final home games of the 2023 regular season on Sunday, with one series left each on the road.
There are some playoff implications for both teams still, as they each have different scenarios where they could see some postseason playing time.
Bradenton Marauders
The Marauders have a more realistic shot, entering the final week of the regular season 1.5 games behind the first place team in the Florida State League West, the Lakeland Flying Tigers.
It won’t be an easy lead to cut into, as the Flying Tigers have won seven of their last 10 games, and have the highest run differential in the FSL during the second half of the season.
They will face the Tampa Tarpons the final week, who have a record of 29-29 and a -16 run differential.
For Bradenton, they have won eight of their last 10, and will play the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, who will have an added boost of Walter Jenkins, their first round pick from this years draft.
The Marauders have owned the season series against Fort Myers, with a 10-8 lead currently.
Greensboro Grasshoppers
It will be a much harder hill to climb, as not only do the Grasshoppers have to handle business they are going to need help against not just one, but two teams.
They will enter the final week 4.5 games behind both the Brooklyn Cyclones and Jersey Shore BlueClaws and each will face teams with a losing week in their last series.
Greensboro draws Bowling Green the final series, who have won seven of 10 games, and own a +119 run differential right now. The Grasshoppers have dominated the season series, however, winning eight of the 10 games they’ve played against each other (two were canceled).
They would also have to fight off Hudson Valley, theoretically, as they play Jersey Shore. The Grasshoppers need Hudson Valley to win the series but still maintain their half game lead on them in the process.
Not an easy hill to climb, but certainly a path.
Minor League Recap 9/3
Indianapolis Indians - 3 vs Buffalo Bisons - 8
Top Hitter - Chris Owings: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, HR (11)
Top Pitcher - Cam Alldred: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K
Altoona Curve - 5 vs Erie SeaWolves - 13
Top Hitter - Tsung-Che Cheng: 2-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 2 HR (4)
Top Pitcher - Tahnaj Thomas: IP, 2 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 0 vs Hickory Crawdads - 9
Top Hitter - Brenden Dixon: 2-3, BB
Top Pitcher - Jaycob Deese: IP, BB, K
Bradenton Marauders - 3 vs Palm Beach - 1
Top Hitter - Omar Alfonzo: 1-3, R, RBI, HR (4)
Top Pitcher - Antwone Kelly: 2 IP, 3 K
Bradenton Marauders - 5 vs Palm Beach Cardinals - 4
Top Hitter - Mitch Jebb: 2-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
Top Pitcher - Patrick Reilly: 1.2 IP, BB, 3 K
The Marauders have played themselves back into the race in A. Well pitched game yesterday with Perachi, Kelly, Bidois, Birdsong giving up only 1 run. The second game was also a win where all of the other pitchers were used. What about Perachi? I read he is a LHSP who was passed over by many in the draft because he pitched in Division III, throws 4 pitches, can hit 93 with his FB, and has more K's than innings pitched. Can he continue to improve? Ceiling?
Also liked the work of LHP Cam Alldred at AAA. He has been used as both a SP and RP - any hope of seeing him in Pittsburgh for a look?
Also from Low A
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?date=9/3/2023&gamePk=729561&chartType=pitch&legendType=pitchName&playerType=batter&inning=&count=&pitchHand=&batSide=&descFilter=&ptFilter=&resultFilter=&hf=&sportId=14