Morning Rundown: Matt Gorski reaches 20 home runs, Carlson Reed throws six no-hit innings, Esmerlyn Valdez home run
Gorski hits 20th home run, Reed throws six no-hit innings, Valdez hits another home run
For the third straight season, Matt Gorski has reached the 20-home-run plateau. He did so during a 4-4 night that also saw him hit a double and drive in four runs.
Gorski also swiped his 10th bag of the season, the third straight season he’s reached double digits in that category.
It may be harder for him to reach his third straight 20/20 season, but not out of the realm of possibility.
Indianapolis clinched at least a series split against Louisville after winning their third straight game this week.
Thomas Harrington picked up his third win in Triple-A after allowing four runs on seven hits with one walk and seven strikeouts over five innings pitched.
Ryan Borucki, Ryder Ryan, and Fineas Del Bonta-Smith followed Harrington to round out the game.
Jack Suwinski hit a home run, his second extra-base hit this week.
After allowing an earned run in the first inning, Carlson Reed saw his ERA jump to 0.73 with the Grasshoppers.
He still pitched six no-hit innings, walking two and striking out six. He crossed over the century mark for innings pitched with the outing, now sitting at 102.1, and has struck out 125 in that span.
Mitch Jebb collected a pair of hits, one a triple, and stole his 40th base of the season. He’s lifted his season OPS to .708.
Shawn Ross had a pinch-hit RBI single, with PJ Hilson and Hudson Head driving in runs.
At just 20 years old, Esmerlyn Valdez is just one home run short of hitting 20 in the Florida State League after going deep on Thursday.
He also trails the FSL leader in home runs by one and has done it with far fewer at-bats.
Bradenton was the lone affiliate to not win on Thursday, losing 6-3 to the Tampa Tarpons. Connor Wietgrefe pitched three shutout innings, striking out three and only giving up a hit.
Hung-Leng Chang returned from the injured list and pitched 1.1 innings, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks.
Altoona Curve placed 3B Jackson Glenn on the 7-day injured list
Altoona Curve activated SS Brenden Dixon
Pittsburgh Pirates sent RHP Jake Woodford outright to Indianapolis Indians
Support the site by becoming a paid member, and get access to all of our premium content, including our Top 25 list with complete player write-ups and video breakdowns, which come out weekly.
It will also give access to my player feature articles from on-site trips.
We have monthly and yearly plans available, with the latter costing an average of $4.16/month.
Top Exit Velocity
Nick Yorke - IND - 110.9 mph - Single
Esmerlyn Valdez - BRD - 110.5 mph - Home Run
Matt Gorski - IND - 106.9 mph - Home Run
Liover Peguero - IND - 106.2 mph - Single
Shalin Polanco - BRD - 103.1 mph - GIDP
Top Pitch Velocity
Tyler Kennedy - BRD - 95.6 mph
Tyler Kennedy - BRD - 95.4 mph
Tyler Kennedy - BRD - 95.4 mph
Tyler Kennedy - BRD - 94.9 mph
Tyler Kennedy - BRD - 94.8 mph
Most Whiffs
Carlson Reed - GBO - 14
Dominic Perachi - ALT - 11
Thomas Harrington - IND - 9
Noah Takacs - BRD - 7
Ryder Ryan - IND - 5
Indianapolis Indians - 10 vs Louisville Bats - 6
Top Hitter - Matt Gorski: 4-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR, 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Thomas Harrington: 5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, BB, 7 K
Altoona Curve - 5 vs New Hampshire River Cats - 4
Top Hitter - Nick Cimillo: 1-3, R, 3 RBI, HR, BB
Top Pitcher - Eddy Yean: 2.2 IP, H, 2 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 3 vs Rome Emperors - 1
Top Hitter - Mitch Jebb: 2-5, R, 3B, SB
Top Pitcher - Carlson Reed: 6 IP, ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Bradenton Marauders - 3 vs Tampa Tarpons - 6
Top Hitter - Esmerlyn Valdez: 1-2, 2 R, RBI, 3 BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Connor Wietgrefe: 3 IP, H, 3 K
Carlson reed the new patrick reilly of the system?
Liover Peguero warming up at AAA the past few months. This is actually his first real look at AAA since he was called up after about only 30 AB in AAA in 2023 due to the injury to Cruz, and nobody seemingly able to fill in for him at SS. As a 22 year old for the Pirates at the MLB level he played 39 games at SS with a .960 fielding %age, and 33 games at 2B with a 1.000 fielding %age.
As a 23 year old at AAA this year he has 25 doubles, 3 triples, 13 HR, 71 RBI, 12/14 SB. At SS he has played 73 games, .968 fielding %age; at 2B he has played 41 games, .993 Fielding %age. If we are looking for better in the future, start with Liover Peguero at SS/MI. If he played all of Sep in MLB he would still be well short of the 172 days to get a full year of Service, so that should not be a consideration by the Pirates. He definitely has the ability to be a strong fielding 20-20 doubles/HR middle of the order hitter.