Morning Rundown: Pirates swept by the Mariners, Paul Skenes named an All-Star
Pirates lose despite another brilliant Skenes start, who is also named to the All-Star game.
The Pittsburgh Pirates were unable to avoid the sweep against the Seattle Mariners, losing 1-0 on Sunday.
They were also unable to put a run on the board, meaning they went without scoring in all three games.
Tommy Pham went 2-4, leading the team in hits.
Paul Skenes was fantastic again, tossing five shutout innings, allowing five hits while striking out 10 batters. That lowers his season ERA to 1.94 and has 125 strikeouts in 116 innings pitched.
Carmen Mlodzinski allowed the deciding run, a home run to Randy Arozarena.
The Pirates will head straight to Kansas City for three games against the Royals. Andrew Heaney will get the start for the Pirates. They will face rookie lefty Noah Cameron.
As expected, Paul Skenes was named the only Pirates’ representative to the All-Star game this season.
This will be his second All-Star appearance, as he started last year as a rookie. Skenes currently leads the NL in ERA, is second in innings pitched, and fourth in strikeouts.
In 19 starts, Skenes has a 1.94 ERA with 125 strikeouts in 116 innings pitched, but has a 4-7 record.
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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Greensboro Grasshoppers activated RHP Joshua Loeschorn from the 60-day injured list
Indianapolis Indians transferred LHP Randy Labaut to the Development List
Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent RHP Yohan Ramirez to a minor league contract
Top Exit Velocity
Henry Davis - PIT - 108.7 mph - Groundout
Liover Peguero - IND - 107.6 mph - Single
Nick Yorke - IND - 106.9 mph - Double
Tommy Pham - IND - 103.7 mph - Single
Andrew McCutchen - PIT -103.7 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.4 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.3 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.1 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 98.9 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 98.9 mph
Most Whiffs
Paul Skenes - PIT - 18
Carmen Mlodzinski -PIT - 7
Blake Townsend - ALT - 7
Colin Holderman - IND - 4
Michael Darrell-Hicks - IND - 4
Yohan Ramirez - IND - 4
Carlson Reed - GBO - 4
Jack Noble - BRD - 4
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Indianapolis Indians - 13 vs Louisville Bats - 11
Top Hitter - Jack Suwinski: 4-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Drake Fellows: 3 IP, H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Altoona Curve - 0 vs Harrisburg Senators - 2
Top Hitter - Kervin Pichardo: 1-2, BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Brandan Bidois: 2 IP, 2 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 13 vs Aberdeen IronBirds - 7
Top Hitter - Konnor Griffin: 3-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3 SB, 2B
Top Pitcher - JP Massey: 2 IP, 2 K
Bradenton Marauders - 5 vs Fort Myers Mighty Mussels - 7
Top Hitter - Edward Florentino: 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Greiber Mendez: 2 IP, H, 3 K
He has a .926 OPS. If that’s not enough to get him another shot, why’s he still on the 40-man? Who’s blocking him? Phamine? Canario, who’s so bad Kelly’s terrified to play him? Is anything that makes the least sense ever going to happen with this dead franchise?
NOTE: This was supposed to reply to 1979 below.
I’m trying not to get too excited because, well, 3 decades of mostly bad teams at the MLB level, but I am cautiously optimistic about a number of position players in the system right now. 🤞🏼 🤞🏼