Morning Rundown: Thomas Harrinton optioned to Triple-A, Pirates make international signings
Harrington heads to Triple-A, Pirates sign three international free agents
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced they were optioning RHP Thomas Harrington to Triple-A Indianapolis. He made two appearances while with the Pirates, one start and another out of the bullpen.
Harrington earned a four-inning save on Monday and has yet to pitch since then. Indianapolis’ game on Thursday was rained out, and will be made up on Saturday, giving them three games over the weekend.
In two games, Harrington went 0-1 with a save, posting a 10.13 ERA and seven strikeouts in eight innings pitched.
According to Noah Hiles, RHP Kyle Nicolas will be the pitcher who takes his place on the roster and will be recalled on Friday.
Nicolas, 26, had been pitching in the Indianapolis bullpen this season, posting an 11.57 ERA with eight strikeouts and three walks in 4.2 innings pitched.
According to John Dreker on Twitter, the Pirates made three international signings, all of which were at the $10,000 amount that doesn’t count against the bonus pool (they are out of bonus pool money).
Welin Aponte, Albert Vega, and Stainer Valdez were all signed by the Pirates and are all right-handed pitchers. According to John, Valdez is 18 and has a fastball that sits 89-90 and has topped out at 91 mph.
When we get more information on the players, we will pass it along.
RHP Thomas Harrington was optioned to Indianapolis Indians
Top Exit Velocity
Axiel Plaz - BRD - 107.4 mph - Double
Jhonny Severino - BRD - 105.1 mph - Lineout
Yordany De Los Santos - BRD - 103.3 mph - Groundout
Jhonny Severino - BRD - 100.9 mph - Lineout
Derek Berg - BRD - 100 mph - Groundout
Top Pitch Velocity
Isaias Uribe - BRD - 96.7 mph
Isaias Uribe - BRD - 96.6 mph
Isaias Uribe - BRD - 96.3 mph
Isaias Uribe - BRD - 96.1 mph
Isaias Uribe - BRD - 95.9 mph
Most Whiffs
Jack Carey - GBO - 10
Antwone Kelly - GBO - 9
Justin Meis - ALT - 9
Hunter Barco - ALT - 9
Cam Sanders - ALT - 8
Isaias Uribe - BRD - 8
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Indianapolis Indians - PPD
Altoona Curve - 2 vs Akron RubberDucks
Top Hitter - Jack Brannigan: 1-3, 2 R, SB, BB
Top Pitcher - Hunter Barco: 4 IP, 2 H, 5 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 4 vs Winston-Salem Dash - 2
Top Hitter - Shalin Polanco: 1-3, RBI, BB, 3B
Top Pitcher - Antwone Kelly: 4 IP, 4 H, 6 K
Bradenton Marauders - 6 vs Palm Beach Cardinals - 18
Top Hitter - Axiel Plaz: 2-4, 2B, 5 RBI
Top Pitcher - Jake Shirk: 2 IP, K
Pirates signed a 19-year-old Venezuelan pitcher yesterday named Yonleg Gaetano. Name alone makes me want to root for him. He's a converted shortstop, fits the mold of almost all of their January 15th pitchers this year. Fresh arm, throws strikes. He sits 88-92 MPH. Very athletic. Didn't have the bat to make it as a position player, but he was a legit shortstop. We will have two exclusive videos of him here tomorrow morning.
Pirates needed pitchers to fill out DSL innings this year, so they have added a lot of $10,000 or less signings recently, but they did it while sticking to their target of fresh arm, throws strikes, athletic frame. Most teams in the same situation (including Pirates in past years) will find a 22-year-old with DSL experience as a starter and use him as an innings filler. That type of player never works out long-term, but helps get them through a season. They are going for pitchers with potential instead to fill those innings. Scouts are doing some digging.
Escotto shot himself in the fo….., er, got himself suspended.