Morning Rundown: MiLB Preview, Pirates acquire Alexander Canario
All four full-season teams in play this week
The Pirates dropped the first of three games against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, losing 6-1.
They managed just four hits, one for extra bases by Endy Rodriguez. The 1-3 hitters combined to go 1-12 with five strikeouts. Rodriguez doubled and later scored on an Adam Frazier RBI single.
Carmen Mlodzinski made his first start as an official member of the rotation and pitched well until the fourth. He finished the night with four earned runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out four over 3.2 innings pitched.
Tim Mayza, Ryan Borucki, and Joey Wentz combined to pitch the rest of the game. There is no current scheduled starter for Tuesday, but unless they call up someone, it looks to be a bullpen game.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired outfielder Alexander Canario from the New York Mets in exchange for cash. Jared Jones was moved to the 60-day injured list to make room for Canario.
At 24 years old, Canario has played 21 games in the majors and has hit .286/.333/.524 with two home runs and eight RBI. One of those home runs and five RBI came against the Pirates on September 19, 2023. The power comes with strikeout issues, as he has punched out in 42.2% of the 45 plate appearances he’d had in the majors.
There’s plenty of power there, and his bat speed would have ranked third if he qualified (behind only Giancarlo Stanton and Oneil Cruz).
Last year in Triple-A, Canario hit .243/.336/.514 with 18 home runs and a 30.4% strikeout rate.
Indianapolis Indians: 0-1
Opponent: Iowa (Cubs)
Quick Overview:
The Indianapolis Indians were only able to get in one of their three games this weekend due to rain. That one game didn’t go well, losing 11-0 to the St. Paul Saints. The Indians return to Indiana for their opening six-game home series against the Iowa Cubs.
As long as the weather cooperates, it’s going to be a fun week in Indianapolis. The Cubs offense boasts some high-profile bats in an offense that put up 13 runs in the two games they played this weekend.
While Chicago Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw began the season in the majors, each of the next five prospects in the Cubs top 30 (according to Pipeline) finds themselves on the precipice of MLB, all of whom are also considered top 100 prospects on one or more lists. Iowa boasts six of the Cubs’ top 10, with seventh overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft headlining the group, Cade Horton.
22-year-old Owen Caissie, the highest-drafted Canadian ever, embarks on his second year in Triple-A. He is followed by a trio of bats: 2021 International signing Moises Ballesteros, 2021 second-round draft pick James Triantos, and 2018 International signing Kevin Alcantara.
Pittsburgh Pirates high-end pitching prospects, meet your current and future divisional nemesis in Chicago Cubs high-end hitting prospects.
Cade Horton | RHP | 2
MLB Pipeline Top 100: #52
Baseball America Top 100: #54
ESPN Top 100: #97
Fangraphs Top 100: #79
Owen Caissie | OF | 3
MLB Pipeline Top 100: #54
Baseball America Top 100: #64
ESPN Top 100: #86
Moises Ballesteros | C/1B | 4
MLB Pipeline Top 100: #69
Baseball America Top 100: #62
ESPN Top 100: #50
James Triantos | 2B/OF | 5
MLB Pipeline Top 100: #73
Kevin Alcantara | OF | 6
MLB Pipeline Top 100: #90
Baseball America Top 100: #71
ESPN Top 100: #64
Fangraphs Top 100: #46
Brandon Birdsell (60-day IL) | RHP | 8
Jonathon Long | 1B/OF/3B | 13
Jack Neely | RHP | 16
Ben Cowles | INF | 22
Christian Franklin | OF | 25
With the season starting today, the site is having a flash sale on yearly subscriptions. From now until next Saturday, you can upgrade and get 30% off a yearly subscription when you become a paid member.
That equates to less than $3 per month and far less than $1 per paid feature. Video breakdowns, our full write-ups on our top 25 prospects, and other player features are among the benefits of upgrading.
Altoona Curve: 0-0
Opponent: Chesapeake (Orioles)
Quick Overview:
Altoona Curve kick off their season with a short home opening series. Barring any roster changes, the formerly known as Bowie Baysox will have six of the Baltimore Orioles’ top 30 prospects. The now named Chesapeake Baysox have one top 100 prospect in former 2023 first round pick Enrique Bradfield Jr. Joining him on the roster will be former Bucco farmhand Patrick Reilly.
It’s one of the lighter rosters in terms of prospect power compared to year’s past, but given the Orioles developmental history with developing bats, don’t be surprised if at some point this season names like Griff O’Ferrall or Vance Honeycutt find their way here.
Enrique Bradfield Jr. | OF | 3
ESPN Top 100: #82
Patrick Reilly | RHP | 10
Creed Willems | C/1B | 12
Juan Nunez | RHP | 20
Trace Bright | RHP | 25
Alex Pham | RHP | 29
Greensboro Grasshoppers: 0-0
Opponent: Asheville (Astros)
Quick Overview:
A year ago, the Greensboro Grasshoppers quickly became the team to watch, and mostly through all of 2024 that continued to be the case. Chances are they’ll be one of the more intriguing rosters once again when they begin their season with a three-game series in Greensboro.
As has been the case, the visiting Houston Astros affiliate, the Asheville Tourists, doesn’t have the most eye-catching roster. Carrying four of the Astros’ top 30 prospects, leading the way will be first-round pick in the 2024 draft, backstop Walker Janek out of Sam Houston.
If you like high-scoring games, these are the two clubs that led the South Atlantic League in home runs last year. Largely due to both play in very hitter friendly parks. Very very hitter friendly.
Walker Janek | C | 4
Joseph Sullivan | OF | 13
Jackson Nezuh | RHP | 15
Kenni Gomez | OF | 19
Bradenton Marauders: 0-0
Opponent: Daytona (Reds)
Quick Overview:
Capping off the start of the season for all full-season clubs, the Bradenton Marauders will be the sole representative on the road for the Pirates. They’ll visit the Daytona Tortugas, Low-A affiliate of divisional foe Cincinnati Reds.
In total, the Reds have seven prospects that show face on one or more top 100 prospects lists across outlets. Young catcher Alfredo Duno is one of those prospects who has seen his stock rise after a solid 2024 season as an 18-year-old with a .789 OPS in 32 games. He signed for $3.1 million during the 2023 international signing period.
Sammy Stafura is someone worth keeping an eye on. Drafted in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2023 MLB draft, he has the makings of someone who could have a big breakout season. He played in 77 games in 2024, slashing .255/.374/.379 with six homers and 37 RBI. The athletic shortstop is fun to watch. (I won’t complain the Pirates took Mitch Jebb one pick before Stafura. I won’t complain the Pirates took Mitch Jebb one pick before Stafura.)
Alfredo Duno | C | 7
ESPN Top 100: #83
Fangraphs Top 100: #29
Sammy Stafura | SS | 8
Ricardo Cabrera | 3B/2B | 10
Adam Serwinowski | LHP | 12
Cole Schoenwetter | RHP | 26
Peyton Stovall | 2B | 27
Luke Hayden | RHP | 30
Harrington called up to start tonight!
This acquisition has to mean bye-bye Bae, welcome Canario to the coal mine