Morning Rundown: Paul Skenes pitches scoreless inning, Tony Blanco Jr. returns
Skenes pitches in All-Star game, Blanco makes season debut
Paul Skenes started in his second straight All-Star game, pitching a scoreless first inning.
He struck out Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene before getting Aaron Judge to ground out to second baseman Ketel Marte. It took him 14 pitches to get through the inning, nine of which were strikes.
The two teams ended up going into a swing-off after being tied through nine innings.
Tony Blanco Jr. played in his first game this season after beginning the year on the injured list. He popped up in his first at-bat, then smoked a home run the next time up.
He struck out his final time up.
It’s been a rough year for Blanco, who lost his father in that horrible nightclub accident in the Dominican Republic. He hit four home runs in 30 games last year in the Complex.
FCL Pirates activated OF Carl Calixte from the 7-day injured list
Bucs on Deck: Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Midseason Update
We are past the halfway mark of the 2025 minor league season, and it seems like a perfect time for an update on our Top Prospect list, which has been expanded to 30 players.
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Not only do you gain access to our Top 30 scouting reports and 2025 updates, but also video breakdowns and player features, as well as live reports from my travels to minor league games.
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FCL Pirates - 5 vs Rays - 3
Top Hitter - Tony Blanco: 1-3, R, 2 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Gavin Adams: 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K
FCL Pirates - 3 vs Rays - 5
Top Hitter - Carlos Caro: 1-2, 2 R, BB
Top Pitcher - Angel Camacho: IP, 2 K
DSL Pirates Black - 6 vs DSL Braves - 3
Top Hitter - Luis Cruz: 2-3, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Yeraldo Salcedo: 2 IP, R, 2 K
DSL Pirates Gold - 9 vs DSL CLE Goryl
Top Hitter - Iverson Allen: 2-2, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Marlon Quintana: 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K
BA posted their top 25s for the complex leagues today. (Season ends in a week.). Pirates had three of the FCL top 10, although two aren’t there any more. Florentino 2, Navarro 6, Sanford 10.
Pirates optioned Devanney to AAA on top of that, too, apparently. Will make another move to fill Frazier's spot on the roster.