Pirates Minor League Updates: Another Pitcher of the Week in Indianapolis

This is one in a weekly update on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top 10 prospects.

For the second-straight week, the International League Pitcher of the Week resided with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.

After delivering his best outing since his promotion to Triple-A, Thomas Harrington was given the honor a week after Bubba Chandler. Chandler followed up last week’s performance with another dominant start.

Full updates on the top 10:

1. RHP Bubba Chandler (Triple-A Indianapolis)

• Weekly stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.0 innings, five hits, no runs, two runs, 11 strikeouts, one appearance/one start
• 2024 stats (AAA) : 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 13 innings, no runs, seven hits, three walks, 17 strikeouts, two appearances/two starts

Chandler continues to thrive since his promotion to Indianapolis. The Pirates’ top prospects leads all of Triple-A with 17 strikeouts since his debut.

2. INF Termarr Johnson (High-A Greensboro)

• Weekly stats: .267/.389/.467, 4 for 15, one home run, two RBIs, four games
• 2024 stats: .235/.373/.380, 88 for 374, 16 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 44 RBIs, 15 steals, 104 games

Johnson homered on Sunday to cap off a strong week offensively. He is fourth in the South Atlantic League in on-base percentage.

3. LHP Anthony Solometo (Double-A Altoona)

• Weekly stats: 0-1, 7.36 ERA, 3.2 innings, three runs, one hit, four walks, three strikeouts, one appearance/one start
• 2024 stats (AA): 0-6, 5.58 ERA, 50 innings, 31 runs, 43 hits, 31 walks, 36 strikeouts, 18 appearances/15 starts

It was another tough outing for the Pirates’ left-handed pitching prospect. He did a good job limiting base hits, but walks continue to be an issue for Solometo this season.

4. RHP Braxton Ashcraft (Triple-A Indianapolis)

• Weekly stats: DID NOT PITCH — PLACED ON 7-DAY INJURED LIST ON JULY 12
• 2024 stats (AA, AAA): 3-2, 2.88 ERA, 72 innings, 25 runs (23 earned), 65 hits, 12 walks, 76 strikeouts, 15 appearances/13 starts

Ashcraft is still on the injured list with recurring symptoms of lateral forearm tightness.

5. INF/OF Nick Yorke (Triple-A Indianapolis)

• Weekly stats: .318/.348/.409, 7 for 22, two doubles, four RBIs, one steal, six games
• 2024 stats (Indianapolis): .350/.394/.426, 21 for 60, six doubles, 10 RBIs, one steal, 17 games

Yorke continues to shine since joining the Pirates’ organization. Since he started with Indianapolis, he’s tied for second in the International League in doubles.

6. RHP Thomas Harrington (Triple-A Indianapolis)

• Weekly stats: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, seven innings, no runs, two hits, two strikeouts, one appearance/one start
• 2024 stats (AAA): 1-1, 3.63 ERA, 17.1 innings, seven runs, 12 hits, three walks, 11 strikeouts, three appearances/three starts

After back-to-back starts to begin his Triple-A career, Harrington shined on Friday. He continues to  feature excellent control all season. Between Double-A and Triple-A, he’s walked 14 in 88.2 innings.

7. INF Mitch Jebb (High-A Greensboro)

• Weekly stats: .333/.444/.333, 5 for 15, one RBI, four games
• 2024 stats: .252/.348/.347, 93 for 369, nine doubles, four triples, six home runs, 38 RBIs, 33 steals, 97 games

Jebb continues to turn around his season with another strong week at the plate. He ranks fourth in the South Atlantic League with a .340 batting average in August.

8. INF Tsung-Che Cheng (Double-A Altoona)

• Weekly stats: .000/.059/.000, 0 for 16, one RBI, one walk, four games
• 2024 stats: .223/.328/.355, 78 for 333, 16 doubles, 10 home runs, 45 RBIs, 14 steals, 102 games

Cheng had a week he’ll want to forget. It’s been a disappointing season for one of the Pirates’ top position player prospects entering the year.

9. INF Jack Brannigan (High-A Greensboro)

• Weekly stats: DID NOT PLAY — PLACED ON 7-DAY INJURED LIST ON JULY 27
• 2024 stats: .223/.340/.445, 59 for 265, 12 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, 46 RBIs, 12 steals, 71 games

Brannigan remains sidelined with a left shoulder injury.

10. RHP Mike Burrows (Triple-A Indianapolis)

• Weekly stats: 0-0, 10.78 ERA, 1.2 innings, two runs, three hits, two walks, two strikeouts, one appearances/one start
• 2024 stats (AAA): 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 14 innings, seven runs, 16 hits, three walk, 16 strikeouts, four appearances/three starts

Burrows wasn’t able to escape the second inning in his lone start of the week. He’ll look to get back on track this week.