Pirates Minor League Updates: Chandler Rebounds, Yorke Makes Strong Impression

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

After back-to-back subpar outings, Pirates top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler had a dazzling performance on the mound for Triple-A Indianapolis in his lone start of the week.

Nick Yorke, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox leading up to the trade deadline, had a productive first week in the organization.

Full updates on the top 10:

1. RHP Bubba Chandler (Double-A Altoona)

• Weekly stats: 1-0, 1.29 ERA, seven innings, one run, three hits, no walks, seven strikeouts, one appearance/one start
• 2024 stats: 6-7, 3.70 ERA, 80.1 innings, 36 runs (33 earned), 55 hits, 26 walks, 94 strikeouts, 19 appearances/16 starts

Chandler got back on track with a terrific start and did what he has done for most of the season. The right-hander has held opponents to a .194 batting average this season.

2. INF Termarr Johnson (High-A Greensboro)

• Weekly stats: .261/.320/.348, 6 for 23, two doubles, one RBI, six games
• 2024 stats: .244/.387/.396, 82 for 336, 16 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 42 RBIs, 15 steals, 94 games

It was a decent week at the plate for Johnson for the Grasshoppers. He’s third in the South Atlantic League with a .413 on-base percentage since the start of July.

3. LHP Anthony Solometo (Double-A Altoona)

• Weekly stats (A-): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, five innings, no runs, three hits, one walk, one strikeout, one appearance/one start
• 2024 stats (AA): 0-4, 6.27 ERA, 33 innings, 23 runs, 32 hits, 21 walks, 24 strikeouts, 13 appearances/10 starts

Solometo made another start with the Marauders after the Pirates brought him back from the development list. This one went much better than his last one.

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: .333/.381/.500, 6 for 18, three doubles, four RBIs, five games
• 2024 stats (Indianapolis): .333/.381/.500, 6 for 18, three doubles, four RBIs, five games

Yorke made a strong impression during his first week in the Pirates’ organization. Prior to the trade, he was having a solid season with Triple-A Pawtucket.

6. RHP Thomas Harrington (Triple-A Indianapolis)

• Weekly stats: 0-0, 7.94 ERA, 5.2 innings, five runs, six hits, one walk, four strikeouts, one appearance/one start
• 2024 stats (AAA): 0-0, 7.94 ERA, 5.2 innings, five runs, six hits, one walk, four strikeouts, one appearance/one start

After a terrific start to the season with Double-A Altoona, Harrington was promoted to Indianapolis. He struggled some in his debut but the right-hander is one step away from the majors.

7. INF Mitch Jebb (High-A Greensboro)

• Weekly stats: .182/.280/.227, 4 for 22, one double, two RBIs, two steals, six games
• 2024 stats: .239/.339/.340, 80 for 335, eight doubles, four triples, six home runs, 35 RBIs, 30 steals, 88 games

Jebb was named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week two weeks ago but struggled at the plate this past week.

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

• Weekly stats: .294/.429/.353, 5 for 17, one double, one RBI, six games
• 2024 stats: .230/.334/.364, 72 for 313, 15 doubles, nine home runs, 39 RBIs, 14 steals, 92 games

Cheng’s three-hit performance on Friday was the highlight of his week. He also drew four walks and scored five runs.

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: 0-1, 10.80 ERA, 3.1 innings, four runs, seven hits, one walk, seven strikeouts, one appearance/one start
• 2024 stats (AAA): 0-1, 6.14 ERA, 7.1 innings, five runs, 11 hits, one walk, 1o strikeouts, two appearances/two starts

Burrows made his second start since returning to Indianapolis. While his first start was successful, he struggled in his most recent start and allowed a pair of homers.