Morning Rundown: Pirates Have Just Two Affiliates Left Playing
With the A Ball season wrapped up, just Altoona and Indianapolis remain.
Even though they couldn’t make the playoffs, both the Greensboro Grasshoppers and Bradenton Marauders finished their season on a high note, winning on Sunday to close out their season.
Backed by a go-ahead three-run home run in the ninth inning by Nick Cimillo, Greensboro earned a series split against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
It was his third home run since being promoted to High-A.
Thomas Harrington struck out five in three innings, with five total pitchers chipping in to get the victory.
With the win Greensboro will finish with an overall record of 68-61.
For Bradenton, Omar Alfonzo and Kalae Harrison hit sacrifice flies in the eighth inning that ended up being the difference for the Marauders, who finish the season with a 76-54 record.
The box score looks like something you will almost never see, as they were constantly changing positions throughout the game. Jesus Castillo was credited with playing every defensive position except catcher and pitcher.
Seven total pitchers combined in the winning effort.
With Greensboro and Bradenton done for the year, that leaves just Altoona and Indianapolis as the only Pirates affiliates still playing
Even with that, Altoona has one more week left as they will close out their season with a six-game series against the Akron RubberDucks.
At 29-32 they don’t have any prospects in a potential playoff race but are just three games under .500 for the entire season (63-66), so they do have something to play for - a winning record.
Triple-A Indianapolis has two more weeks left on their schedule, with series against Omaha (road) and Rochester (home) before their season is done.
They also don’t have a shot at the playoffs, and are 10 games under .500 overall on the season, but a series win against Omaha could bring them out of the basement of the International League - West.
Minor League Recap 9/10
Indianapolis Indians - 5 vs Toledo Mud Hens - 2
Top Hitter - Henry Davis: 3-3, RBI, 2 BB
Top Pitcher - Kyle Nicolas: 1.2 IP, 4 K
Altoona Curve - 5 vs Harrisburg Senators - 4
Top Hitter - Carter Bins: 3-5, 3 RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Noe Toribio: IP, H, 2 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 6 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 5
Top Hitter - Nick Cimillo: 1-4, 3 RBI, HR (3)
Top Pitcher - Julian Bosnic: IP, 2 K
Bradenton Marauders - 5 vs Fort Myers Mighty Mussels - 3
Top Hitter - Omar Alfonzo: 1-2, 2B, RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Carlos Jimenez: 2 IP, BB, 4 K
Murphy is so excited to write the name Carlos Jimenez
I’m not sure if this was covered elsewhere, but McDaniel posted his Core Rankings on ESPN on Friday. Per his intro, he includes players under contractual control through at least 2025, age isn’t a factor, and it includes projecting for young players and prospects. He groups players on each team in three categories: elite (5+ WAR), above average (3-5 WAR), and solid guys/role players (1.5-3 WAR).
The Bucs ranked 17th. No one in the elite category, and Hayes, Reynolds, Bednar, Cruz, Keller, and Skenes in the above average category. He noted that while the Bucs are progressing, his criticism entering the year is still valid: they haven’t had a non premium acquisition (high amateur bonus or headline trade return) become a key part of their core and the development of that cohort is mixed.