Morning Rundown: Roster shuffling in the minors to begin the week, Thomas Harrington rehab
The Pirates shuffled some players throughout the minor league levels before another week of games
With all full-season minor league teams off on Monday, it's easier to move players around the system if necessary.
They took full advantage of that this week, moving many players to new levels. Maybe the highlight of the group was outfielder Sammy Siani, a former first-round pick (comp round) who has begun each of the last three years in Greensboro.
After a fantastic start to the year, Siani was promoted to Double-A Altoona.
With Greensboro this year, he cut his strikeout rate from over 30% in the first two years down to just 11% in 2024. He slashed .324/.402/.563 with four home runs and a wRC+ of 173.
In his first Double-A game, Siani went 1-4 with a triple and RBI, the Curve's only run of the game.
Another name that moved up after a few years in the same location is Matt Fraizer. After being named the Pirates Minor League Player of the Year in 2021, Fraizer has spent the last couple of years in Altoona with the Curve before getting promoted to Indianapolis.
He didn’t play on Thursday for the Indians.
Thomas Harrington began his rehab assignment in Bradenton on Tuesday. In three innings, he allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three, needing just 40 pitches to complete his day.
Drafted out of Campbell, Harrington tied Jared Jones in strikeouts in the Pirates’ system last year, his first full season of pro ball. Once he finishes his rehab assignment, he will join the Altoona Curve, which already has one of the most intriguing rotations in the system.
Altoona Curve activated SS Francisco Acuna
Altoona Curve sent RHP Thomas Harrington on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders
C Dylan Shockley assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve
LF Dustin Peterson assigned to Altoona Curve from Indianapolis Indians
CF Matt Fraizer assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve
SS Mike Jarvis assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve
C Eli Wilson assigned to Altoona Curve from Indianapolis Indians
RHP Isaac Mattson assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve
CF Sammy Siani assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers
Bradenton Marauders activated 2B Juan Jerez from the 7-day injured list
Bradenton Marauders activated OF Sergio Campana from the 7-day injured list
SS Keiner Delgado assigned to Bradenton Marauders from FCL Pirates
OF PJ Hilson assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Bradenton Marauders
Greensboro Grasshoppers sent RHP Ryan Harbin on a rehab assignment to FCL Pirates
Bradenton Marauders sent OF Braylon Bishop on a rehab assignment to FCL Pirates
SS Wesley Zapata assigned to FCL Pirates from Bradenton Marauders
FCL Pirates released SS Kelvin Diaz
Bradenton Marauders placed Jesus Castillo on the 7-day injured list
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Top Exit Velocity
Liover Peguero - IND - 107 mph - Groundout
Garret Forrester - BRD - 106.3 mph - Single
Alika Williams - IND - 106.2 mph - Groundout
Ke’Bryan Hayes - PIT - 105.6 mph - Groundout
Eddy Rodriguez - BRD - 105.1 mph - Single
Joshua Palacios - BRD - 105.1 mph - Single
Gilberto Celestino - IND - 105.1 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 100.3 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 100 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 99.5 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 98.6 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 98 mph
Most Whiffs
Hung-Leng Chang - BRD - 12
Sean Sullivan - ALT - 11
Eric Lauer - IND - 11
Jose Hernandez - IND - 7
Thomas Harrington - BRD - 7
Indianapolis Indians - 2 vs Louisville Bats - 6
Top Hitter - Nick Gonzales: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Eric Lauer: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
Altoona Curve - 1 vs Somerset Patriots - 8
Top Hitter - Sammy Siani: 1-4, RBI, 3B
Top Pitcher - Cameron Junker: 2 IP, 2 H, BB, K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 3 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 7
Top Hitter - Lonnie White Jr.: 1-3, R, 2 RBI, HR, BB, SB
Top Pitcher - Julian Bosnic: 2.2 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, K
Bradenton Marauders - 4 vs St. Lucie Mets - 0
Top Hitter - Garret Forrester: 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Hung-Leng Chang: W, 5 IP, 4 H, 4 K
FCL Pirates - 0 vs FCL Twins - 2
Top Hitter - Miguel Sosa: 2-3, 2B
Top Pitcher - Jose Regalado: 1.2 IP, BB, 2 K
Just trying to get through the transactions list. I'll should be caught up by noon.
Thanks to Bradenton for saving us from a sweep - they have been on a roll lately. Last night led by strong pitching from Thomas Harrington and Hung-Leng Chang, and the hitting led by 3 hits (2 doubles) from Garret Forrester, last year's 3rd Round draft selection out of Ore St. Forrester, 22, 3B/1B, now has almost 100 AB at BRD in 2023 and 2024 with an 842 OPS - wonder why he is not being promoted to A+? With Johnson, Brannigan, and Jebb, his work at 3B could be limited, but 1B looks wide open.