Pirates Minor League Report: Is Anthony Solometo Back?

It’s been a grueling season for top ranked Pirates’ left-hander Anthony Solometo, who saw his earned run average balloon above 5.40 in Double-A and later spent time on the Development List. Saturday marked a step in the right direction, however, as the 21-year-old turned in his best start of the season, going six scoreless innings for Altoona in their 1-0 win against New Hampshire.

Triple-A Indianapolis managed an eleventh inning walk-off in the resumption of Friday’s game, which ended up suspended due to rain, then lost 6-0 in their regularly scheduled game.

Greensboro lost 3-1 to the Rome Emperors but still enjoyed success at the plate. 6-foot-6 Venezuelan infield prospect Javier Rivas hit a triple, his first extra base knock since getting promoted to High-A last week, while catcher Shawn Ross stayed hot at the plate with his 22nd homer of the year.

Bradenton managed just seven base hits—and only one for extra bases—across 15 innings in their doubleheader with Tampa, losing both contests. Esmerlyn Valdez, Shalin Polanco and Yordany De Los Santos each stole two bases on the day while 19-year-old right-hander Clevari Tejada pitched five scoreless innings in his third start since promotion from rookie ball. Other than that, it was a day to forget for the Marauders.

Here are some of the top performances amongst Pirates prospects on Saturday night.

Triple-A Indianapolis (64-64)

CF Ji-hwan Bae

• Game: 1-for-3 with a triple and a walk.
• Season: .358/.436/.511 with 8 doubles, 3 triples and 5 homers in 51 minor league games.

SS Liover Peguero

• Game: 1-for-2 with 2 walks.
• Season: .258/.322/.420 with 25 doubles, 3 triples and 13 homers in 113 games.

Double-A Altoona (54-71)

LHP Anthony Solometo

• Game: 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 K’s.
• Season: 64.1 IP, 4.90 ERA, 49 K’s in 21 appearances (18 starts).

1B Nick Cimillo

• Game: 1-for-4 with a double.
• Season: .257/.378/.503 with 14 doubles and 20 homers in 85 games between Greensboro and Altoona.

High-A Greensboro (70-53)

C Shawn Ross

• Day: 1-for-4 with a homer.
• Season: .197/.342/.468 with 9 doubles, a triple and 22 homers in 86 games.

3B Javier Rivas

• Game: 2-for-3 with a triple.
• Season:  .222/.280/.390 with 19 doubles, 2 triples and 12 homers in 101 games between Bradenton and Greensboro.

Single-A Bradenton (52-73)

RHP Clevari Tejada

• Game: 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 K’s.
• Season: 66 IP, 4.50 ERA, 50 K’s in 19 appearances (7 starts) between rookie ball and Bradenton.