Pirates Minor League Report: Chandler Struggles Early

Pirates’ affiliates picked up just one win on Saturday night, suffering bullpen struggles in the late innings and a rocky start from top prospect and Futures Game participant Bubba Chandler.

The 21-year-old power pitcher gave up four runs in 4.2 innings, striking out seven batters but struggling to settle in early. The Altoona Curve went on to lose 5-1 to the Erie SeaWolves, unable to overcome the early deficit as their anemic offense struck again.

Triple-A Indianapolis defeated the Iowa Cubs 8-5. Shortstop Liover Peguero continued to display his resurgent power, hitting his second homer in the past three games, while Henry Davis and Malcom Nuñez each hit a double.

Catcher Shawn Ross belted his nineteenth homer of the season in Greensboro, while Mitch Jebb flashed his 65-grade speed and swiped his 27th and 28th bases of the season. The Grasshoppers went on to lose 5-3, though, blowing a one-run lead in the ninth inning.

Things ended similarly in Bradenton, where the Marauders lost 2-1, giving up the decisive run in the final frame. Hung-Leng Chang, a 2022 international free agent signing, struck out five batters in six innings, allowing one run, but the Marauders’ offense couldn’t give him the win.

Here are some of the noteworthy performances from Pirates’ farmhands on Saturday night.

Triple-A Indianapolis (45-52)

SS Liover Peguero

• Game: 1-for-4 with a homer and a sacrifice fly.
• Season: .246/.306/.389 with 17 doubles, 3 triples and 8 homers in 86 games.

C Henry Davis

• Game: 2-for-5 with a double.
• Season: .296/.401/.570 with 12 doubles and 9 homers in 38 games between Altoona and Indianapolis.

Double-A Altoona (40-55)

RHP Bubba Chandler

• Game: 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 K’s.
• Season: 73.1 IP, 3.93 ERA, 87 K’s in 18 appearances (15 starts).

RF Charles McAdoo

• Game: 1-for-4 with a double.
• Season: .319/.398/.545 with 21 doubles, 5 triples and 14 homers in 86 games between Greensboro and Altoona.

High-A Greensboro (57-37)

C Shawn Ross

• Game: 2-for-4 with a double and a homer.
• Season: .176/.331/.478 with 5 doubles and 19 homers in 61 games.

SS Mitch Jebb

• Game: 1-for-3 with a single, a walk and 2 stolen bases.
• Season: .242/.341/.345 with 6 doubles, 4 triples and 6 homers in 81 games.

Single-A Bradenton (39-56)

RHP Hung-Leng Chang

• Game: 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 K’s.
• Season: 73 IP, 4.56 ERA, 69 K’s in 16 appearances (13 starts).

3B Garret Forrester

• Game: 1-for-2 with a single and 2 walks.
• Season: .240/.390/.328 with 8 doubles and a homer in 40 games between rookie ball and Bradenton.