Pirates Prospect Watch: Unlikely Hero Leads Altoona to Victory; Skenes Shines

It was Paul Skenes’ day for Pittsburgh Pirates fans on Friday. Skenes aimed for redemption after his first Double-A start, which left a sour taste in many people’s mouths.

Skenes indeed had redemption, but the story of the Curve game was probably the four RBI performance from Carter Bins, a rather unlikely candidate.

Funny enough, on Aug. 26, Bins walked it off for the Curve in Skenes Double-A debut. Other than Skenes, there were plenty of Pirates prospects to look on Friday night.

Indianapolis (59-69)

3B Malcom Nuñez

• Game stats: 2-4 with two RBIs
• Season stats: .260/.352/.294, seven homers, ten doubles, and 40 RBIs (231 at-bats, or 65 games between the FCL, Low-A, High-A, and Triple-A)

RF Canaan Smith-Njigba

• Game stats: 1-3, a double, one run scored, and an RBI
• Season stats: .250/.344/.441, 13 homers, one triple, 20 doubles, and 51 RBIs (320 at-bats, or 87 games at Triple-A)

The Indians losing streak against Buffalo grew after their 8-5 loss on Friday night. John O’Reilly started the bullpen game and got rocked for six runs (five earned) in 3.2 innings pitched.

Nuñez led the way for the Indians as he drove in two runs during a seven-pitch at-bat in the third inning.

Altoona (58-63)

C Carter Bins

• Game stats: 2-4, a homer, one run scored, and four RBIs
• Season stats: .208/.296/.375, three homers, three doubles, and 13 RBIs (72 at-bats, or 22 games between the FCL, Low-A, and Double-A)

3B Joe Perez

• Game stats: 2-3, one walk, and two runs scored
• Season stats: .272/.355/.450, 16 homers, two triples, 15 doubles, and 61 RBIs (378 at-bats, or 104 games between Triple-A and Double-A)

The Curve came to play on Friday as they beat the Sea Wolves 6-3. Pittsburgh Pirates first overall pick Paul Skenes went two innings, gave up only one hit, and struck out three.

Bins came through for the Curve as he drove in four runs Friday night, including a three-run homer in the sixth inning.

Greensboro (64-57)

LF Tres Gonzalez

• Game stats: 3-6, a run scored and two RBIs
• Season stats: .288/.402/.405, nine homers, 22 doubles, 28 stolen bases, and 54 RBIs (417 at-bats, or 108 games between Low-A and High-A)

RHP Eddy Yean

• Game stats: 2.2 IP, one hit, no runs, no walks, and two strikeouts
• Season stats: 2-3, 4.91 ERA, 47.2 IP, 23 walks, and 41 strikeouts in 38 games (one start)

The Grasshoppers fell to Hickory Friday night in a high-scoring 10-8 affair. At one point, Greensboro was down 10-0 before they exploded for six runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Jack Brannigan and Tres Gonzalez each drove in two runs.

Bradenton (69-52)

LHP Hunter Barco

• Game stats: 4.0 IP, one hit, no runs, no walks, and seven strikeouts
• Season stats: 0-2, 3.06 ERA, 17.2 IP, five walks, and 28 strikeouts in eight games (seven starts)

RHP Wilber Dotel

• Game stats: 5.0 IP, two hits, one run, one walk, and six strikeouts
• Season stats: 7-2, 2.89 ERA, 74.2 IP, 40 walks, and 58 strikeouts in 17 games (14 starts)

Bradenton was finally back in action Friday night as they played a doubleheader against Palm Beach.

In game one, Bradenton won a close 2-1 game after a tremendous effort from Hunter Barco and the Marauders’ pitching staff. Delvis Nadal hit an inside-the-park home run in the seventh inning, which proved to be enough.

In game two, Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Wilber Dotel pitched a brilliant game, and the Marauders completed the sweep of the doubleheader by a score of 4-2. Bradenton scored two runs in the second and third innings to secure the victory.