Morning Rundown: Pirates no-hit by the Cubs, Valdez hits multiple home runs, Nick Yorke has three doubles
Pirates no-hit, Valdez takes FSL lead in home runs, Yorke hits three doubles
The Pittsburgh Pirates not only lost 12-0 against the Chicago Cubs, but they were also no-hit.
Shota Imanaga, Nate Pearson, and Porter Hodge combined for the shutout, walking two and striking out seven. Domingo German started for the Pirates and allowed seven runs (six earned) in three innings, pushing his ERA to 7.84.
It was a disappointing end to a series in which the Pirates had a chance to sweep the Cubs.
They will now travel back home to face the Washington Nationals, who have Dylan Crews in the lineup. We won’t see a reunion between former LSU teammates because Paul Skenes isn’t scheduled to pitch.
Bailey Falter will start the series opener, with the first pitch expected at 6:40 pm ET.
Esmerlyn Valdez hit not just one but two home runs and is now the leader in the Florida State League with 21.
Despite missing a brief period on the injured list, Valdez has established himself as one of the best sluggers in the league. At 20, reaching 21 home runs in the FSL isn’t easy.
Now, Valdez has the chance to be the home run champion in the league with only a few days left in the regular season.
Valdez wasn’t the only one flashing the power, as Jhonny Severino went deep twice on his own and now has five in his brief time in Bradenton.
Connor Wietgrefe pitched two innings, allowing two unearned runs and striking out four. Peyton Stumbo pitched the final four innings, struck out seven, and picked up his fifth save.
Carlson Reed took a perfect game into the seventh inning, but a solo home run ended it with one out. It also signaled the end of the day for Reed, who finished with 6.1 innings pitched, one hit, an earned run, and five strikeouts.
Pirates got solo home runs from Omar Alfonzo and Shawn Ross, propelling them to a 2-1 victory.
Jack Brannigan returned from the injured list and went 1-3. He last played on July 25 against Asheville, where he picked up three hits.
Nick Yorke recorded three hits, giving him 12 multi-hit games in 30 games in the organization. All three hits were doubles. Matt Gorski also hit his 21st home run of the season.
Greensboro Grasshoppers activated 3B Jack Brannigan from the 7-day injured list
Greensboro Grasshoppers placed SS Maikol Escotto on the 7-day injured list
Indianapolis Indians activated LHP Josh Walker from the 7-day injured list
Indianapolis Indians transferred RF Edward Olivares to the Development List
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Top Exit Velocity
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 113.4 mph - Groundout
Malcom Nunez - IND - 112.2 mph - Single
Matt Gorski - IND - 105.9 mph - Home Run
Nick Yorke - IND - 105.1 mph - Forceout
Nick Yorke - IND - 104.7 mph - Double
Top Pitch Velocity
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.6 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.6 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.4 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 98.3 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 98.1 mph
Most Whiffs
Carlson Reed - GBO - 14
Peyton Stumbo - BRD - 12
Bubba Chandler - IND - 8
Dominic Perachi - ALT - 8
Grant Ford - ALT - 8
Connor Wietgrefe - BRD - 8
Indianapolis Indians - 9 vs Toledo Mud Hens - 6
Top Hitter - Nick Yorke: 3-6, 2 R, 3 2B
Top Pitcher - Connor Sadzeck: IP, BB, K
Altoona Curve - 5 vs Hartford Yard Goats - 6
Top Hitter - Nick Cimillo: 3-3, R, BB, 2 2B
Top Pitcher - Grant Ford: 2 IP, H, 5 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 2 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 1
Top Hitter - Omar Alfonzo: 2-3, RBI, R, BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Carlson Reed: 6.1 IP, H, ER, 5 K
Bradenton Marauders - 8 vs Daytona Tortugas - 6
Top Hitter - Esmerlyn Valdez: 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 HR
Top Pitcher - Peyton Stumbo: 4 IP, 2 H, 7 K
Kiley McDaniel/ESPN posted an article today ranking organizations according to talent they have under control for the next two seasons. I think these rankings are particularly interesting because they factor in major league talent and prospects. For heading into years 6 and 7, ranking 21st isn't impressive though the number itself might be a good omen :).
His paragraph reads as a positive assessment, but his bar is lower than most of us would want as he writes "I think some health luck, natural growth and more prospects showing up get this to a .500 team next year."
https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/41123970/mlb-rankings-core-most-talent-locked-2024
For those who can't access the article, he groups players in tiers and for us the tiers are:
Elite: Skenes
Plus: Cruz
Solid: Bryan Reynolds/LF, Mitch Keller/RHS, Jared Jones/RHS, Ke'Bryan Hayes/3B, Bubba Chandler/RHS, Joey Bart/C, Endy Rodriguez/C, David Bednar/RHR, Thomas Harrington/RHS, Termarr Johnson/2B, Johan Oviedo/RHS, Nick Gonzales/2B, Nick Yorke/2B, Michael Burrows/RHS, Hunter Barco/LHS, Luis L. Ortiz/RHS, Jared Triolo/3B, Henry Davis/C, Braxton Ashcraft/RHS, Kyle Nicolas/RHR, Dauri Moreta/RHR, Hunter Stratton/RHR
A ray of light, but warning of arbitrary starting point--Since August 21 (13 games, 50 PAs), Suwinski has a triple slash of .348/.400/.696 for an OPS of 1.096. The K's (15, 30%) are still too high and the BAbip (.464) isn't sustainable, but I'm looking for hope for one of my favorite players.
As I've said before, I'm not blaming Haines for Jack's troubles but I also think Jack will benefit from a new hitting coach whether it's with us or following a trade to another organization--the classic change of scenery. I'm hoping he gets that chance here.