Morning Rundown: Pirates start series in Minnesota, MLB Draft coverage
Pirates head into the final series before the All-Star break
The Pittsburgh Pirates open up their final series before the All-Star break on Friday, facing the Minnesota Twins on the road.
They’ve currently lost six in a row, after getting swept by the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals.
Here’s a look at the probable pitching matchups for the upcoming series:
Friday: Paul Skenes vs Joe Ryan
Saturday: Mike Burrows vs TBD
Sunday: Mitch Keller vs Simeon Woods Richardson
We started our draft coverage yesterday, with a look at some of the players that could be available to be selected with the Pirates’ first-round pick, sixth overall. The rest of the weekend’s features will be draft-related, as will the first part of next week.
That means no 10 Observations or Top Performers features as we try to go as deep into the draft as possible. We’ll have the draft tracker as usual, where we will update it with each selection the Pirates make.
Later today, you will get another paid feature, this one giving about 20 pitchers to follow in the MLB draft. I tried to stay away from any potential first-round picks, but you never know how things will go down.
MLB Draft 2025: Who will be available for the Pittsburgh Pirates?
The 2025 MLB Draft is scheduled to begin on Sunday, with the Pittsburgh Pirates holding the sixth overall pick.
Saturday, we will take a look at the hitting side of things with more players to watch. Sunday will combine everything, and then we'll look at some of the mock drafts that are circulating.
Monday will be a breakdown of each pick from day one for the Pirates. Tuesday will be a look at day two. Wednesday will be my overall thoughts on the draft. On Thursday, we will return to our usual schedule with a couple of player features.
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.
Indianapolis Indians activated C Eli Wilson
Top Exit Velocity
Yordany De los Santos - BRD - 107.4 mph - Home Run
Matt Fraizer - IND - 106.8 mph - Single
Ronny Simon - IND - 106.8 mph - Groundout
Jhonny Severino - BRD - 104.2 mph - Home Run
Ronny Simon - IND - 103.3 mph - Groundout
Top Pitch Velocity
Bubba Chandler - IND - 100.2 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 99.8 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 99.6 mph
Bubba Chandler - IND - 99.5 mph
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 99.3 mph
Most Whiffs
Bubba Chandler - IND - 15
Antwone Kelly - ALT - 10
Peyton Stumbo - GBO - 10
Noah Takacs - BRD - 5
Carlos Jimenez - GBO - 4
Kyle Nicolas - IND - 4
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.
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Indianapolis Indians - 3 vs Gwinnett Stripers - 0
Top Hitter - Ji Hwan Bae: 2-4, R, RBI, 3B, SB
Top Pitcher - Bubba Chandler: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K
Altoona Curve - 1 vs Binghamton - 2
Top Hitter - Sammy Siani: 1-4, Inside the park home run
Top Pitcher - Antwone Kelly: 4.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 9 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 5 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 4
Top Hitter - PJ Hilson: 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Mike Walsh: IP, BB, 2 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 4 vs Bowling Green Hot Rod - 6
Top Hitter - Keiner Delgado: 1-3, RBI, SB, BB
Top Pitcher - Jake Shirk: 2 IP, 2 K
Bradenton Marauders - 3 vs St. Lucie Mets - 5
Top Hitter - Edward Florentino: 1-3, 2 BB, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Victor Cabreja: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, K
FCL Pirates - 3 vs FCL Red Sox - 1
Top Hitter - Raymond Mola: 3-3, R, RBI, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Irwin Ramirez: 3 IP, 2 H, R, 2 BB, 5 K
DSL Pirates Black - 5 vs DSL Pirates Gold - 4
Top Hitter - Angel Perez: 1-3, 3 RBI, BB, 2B
Top Hitter - Limanol Payero: 1-4, RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Victor Trejo: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R (ER), 2 BB, 5 K
Top Pitcher - Jesus Tapia: 3 IP, 2 BB, 4 K
Pirates called up Yohan Ramirez, optioned Triolo and dfa’d Gorski.
He hasn’t been striking out very much which consoles me, but definitely in a July slump. This is why it is good to let him stay at a level for a bit. See if the pitchers and coaches at High A can find some weaknesses. It is also a long season and this is his first time through it.