Morning Rundown: Pirates lose eighth straight, MLB Draft begins today, Paul Skenes named All-Star starter
Pirates lose eighth straight, draft starts today, Skenes is NL starter
The losing streak for the Pittsburgh Pirates has now reached eight games after dropping their game on Saturday to the Minnesota Twins, 12-4.
Mike Burrows was shelled over 1.1 innings pitched, allowing six earned runs on five hits and three walks. With the All-Star break coming up, Andrew Heaney jumped into the game and allowed three solo home runs over two innings.
Jack Suwinski hit a solo home run, his first in the majors this season. Joey Bart picked up two hits and an RBI.
The Pirates will try to avoid a third straight sweep as they head into the All-Star break. Mitch Keller will pitch for the Pirates and face Simeon Woods Richardson with an expected start time of 2:10 pm ET.
Oneil Cruz was pinch-run for in yesterday’s game. Don Kelly mentioned that Cruz felt something in his hip flexor after trying to rob a home run. He also claimed it was precautionary, and they are still evaluating.
Konnor Griffin avoided a scary situation unscathed in the Futures Game after getting hit in the wrist area with a 97 mph fastball. He left the game, but mentioned afterward that he was fine. He went 1-2 with an infield single during the game.
In his only at-bat of the game, Esmerlyn Valdez flew out to centerfield.
Paul Skenes was named the starter for the National League for the All-Star game on Saturday. Despite a 4-8 record, Skenes has struck out 131 batters over 121 innings pitched while posting a 2.01 ERA.
This will be the second time Skenes will start the All-Star game. He becomes the youngest pitcher to start the All-Star game in consecutive years.
The MLB Draft begins on Sunday, with the first three rounds scheduled to start at 6 pm ET and will be broadcast on MLB Network and ESPN. Over the last couple of days, we have explored the Pirates’ potential first-round pick, some hitters, and pitchers in the 2025 draft.
We will have a full-on preview and our MLB Draft tracker dropping later today.
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.
We are running a special where you can get 30% off a yearly subscription when you upgrade to a paid membership.
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.
Bradenton Marauders sent OF Tony Blanco Jr. on a rehab assignment to FCL Pirates
Top Exit Velocity
Joey Bart - PIT - 113.1 mph - Double
Nick Yorke - IND - 108.2 mph - Groundout
Jack Suwinski - PIT - 108 mph - Home Run
Shawn Ross - IND - 105.7 mph - Single
Billy Cook - IND - 104.6 mph - Home Run
Top Pitch Velocity
David Bednar - PIT - 99.1 mph
David Bednar - PIT - 98.6 mph
Colin Holderman - IND - 98.5 mph
David Bednar - PIT - 98.4 mph
David Bednar - PIT - 98.3 mph
Most Whiffs
Zander Mueth - BRD - 11
Blake Townsend - ALT - 9
Julian Bosnic - GBO - 7
Justin Meis - ALT - 6
Magdiel Cotto - BRD - 6
Jack Noble - BRD - 6
Valentin Linarez - ALT - 6
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.
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.
We have monthly and yearly plans available, with the latter costing an average of $4.16/month.
Indianapolis Indians - 6 vs Gwinnett Stripers - 1
Top Hitter - Billy Cook: 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI
Top Pitcher - Drake Fellows: 5 IP, 2 BB, 3 K
Altoona Curve - vs
Top Hitter - Maikol Escotto: 1-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Justin Meis: 2 IP, H, BB, 3 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 10 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 4
Top Hitter - Titus Dumitru: 2-3, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Julian Bosnic: IP, H, 3 K
Bradenton Marauders - 5 vs St. Lucie Mets - 6
Top Hitter - Edward Florentino: 1-2, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Zander Mueth: 3.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 4 BB, 7 K
FCL Pirates - PPD
DSL Pirates Black - 9 vs DSL Pirates Gold - 8
Top Hitter - Armstrong Muhoozi: 2-4, 2 R, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Yonleg Gaetano: 2.1 IP, H, BB, 4 K
Top Hitter - Hyun Seung Lee: 2-5, R, 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Angel Rosado: 2.1 IP, BB, 2 K
DRAFT DAY!!!!
My dad informed the Pirates this week that we won’t be renewing our season ticket package next year in its current form. We’ve split some version of four half-to-full season tickets with a group of other guys since the late 80s/early 90s. Well done, Ben and Bob! You finally broke him this year!