Morning Rundown: Roansy Contreras traded to the Angels, Tony Blanco Jr hits first home run
Contreras traded, Blanco his first FCL home run
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded Roansy Contreras to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations. He was designated for assignment late last week.
Alex Stumpf from MLB.com was the first on it.
The 24-year-old Contreras was acquired in the Jameson Taillon trade and jumped onto the scene in 2021 while pitching between Double-A and Triple-A.
While splitting time between Altoona and Indianapolis, Contreras posted a 3-2 record with a 2.64 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 58 innings pitched. He made his major league debut at the end of the season, pitching three shutout innings while striking out four.
After a solid rookie season that saw him post a 3.79 ERA in 95 innings pitched, things have gone downhill since then, to the point where he was shifted to the bullpen in 2023 and continued to do so in 2024.
He hadn’t pitched horribly, posting a 4.41 ERA with 16 strikeouts and eight walks in 16.1 innings pitched. The slider has still been an effective pitch for him, it’s just the fastball that has been beaten up.
The return was cash considerations
Tony Blanco Jr. hit his first home run in the United States on Thursday, a solo shot for the FCL Pirates.
With some of the most raw power in the system, maybe even the minors, the big question was if Blanco was going to be able to make enough contact. He struck out nearly 40% of his plate appearances last year in the Dominican.
While he still struck out, and there was some swing and miss against breaking pitches, Blanco did fight some of them off and work a couple of counts.
The home run was on a slider.
Eric Lauer was released by the Pirates. He was signed as a minor league free agent, and he exercised his opt-out clause.
Overall, Lauer's Triple-A numbers weren’t great, as he posted a 5.52 ERA in 29.1 innings pitched, but he pitched much better in April (1.10 ERA) than he did this month (11.32 ERA).
He had 37 strikeouts in the 29.1 innings he pitched.
Indianapolis Indians activated LHP Michael Plassmeyer from the 7-day injured list
Indianapolis Indians released LHP Eric Lauer
Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Daulton Jefferies
Altoona Curve released SS Aaron Shackelford
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Top Exit Velocity
Javier Rivas - BRD - 113.4 mph - Single
Matt Gorski - IND - 111 mph - Home Run
Matt Gorski - IND _ 110.6 mph - Double
Malcom Nunez - IND - 110 mph - Home Run
Henry Davis - IND - 109.7 mph - Double
Top Pitch Velocity
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 98.8 mph
Jared Jones - PIT - 98.8 mph
Jared Jones - PIT - 98.8 mph
Jared Jones - PIT - 98.7 mph
Jared Jones - PIT - 98.7 mph
Most Whiffs
Jared Jones - PIT - 15
Alessandro Ercolani - GBO - 14
Cam Alldred - IND - 12
Sean Sullivan - ALT - 11
Derek Diamond - GBO - 11
Indianapolis Indians - 6 vs Toledo Mud Hens - 8
Top Hitter - Matt Gorski: 2-4, R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR
Top Pitcher - Jose Hernandez: IP, BB, K
Indianapolis Indians - 5 vs Toledo Mud Hens - 3
Top Hitter - Malcom Nunez: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Michael Plassmeyer: 3 IP, H, 4 K
Altoona Curve - 4 vs Akron RubberDucks - 1
Top Hitter - Joe Perez: 1-3, R, RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Sean Sullivan: 7 IP, 4 H, 4 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 2 vs Hickory Crawdads - 1
Top Hitter - Charles McAdoo: 1-3, HR, R, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Alessandro Ercolani: 4 IP, 2 H, ER, 6 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 11 vs Hickory Crawdads - 1
Top Hitter - PJ Hilson: 2-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR
Top Pitcher - Derek Diamond: W, 5 IP, 3 H, 5 K
Bradenton Marauders - 3 vs Tampa Tarpons - 1
Top Hitter - Eddy Rodriguez: 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI
Top Pitcher - Carlson Reed: W, 6 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 3 K
FCL Pirates - 6 vs FCL Red Sox - 5
Top Hitter - Tony Blanco Jr.: 1-4, R, RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Greiber Menez: 2 IP, 2 K, R (0 ER), W
Axiel Plaz promoted to Bradenton. Justin Miknis got hurt yesterday and Forrester was already hurt.
I remember the dog and pony show with Ro and Cruz getting called up for the last series of the season in 2021. Roansy was electric, I thought he was going to be what we are seeing from Jones. Alas, the command faded, the velo dropped and is now a shell of the kid that was a former top 100 prospect.