Pirates Prospect Watch: Alessandro Ercolani Stars Again

Pirates’ minor league affiliates suffered through a brutal start to their new week of games, going 0-4 on Tuesday.

Triple-A Indianapolis couldn’t complete their comeback after a rough start from Cam Alldred, falling 7-4 to the Omaha Storm Chasers despite Nick Gonzales extending his hitting streak to 13 games. 

The Altoona Curve lost 4-0 to the Akron Rubber Ducks, managing just two hits: both from first baseman Aaron Shackelford. High-A Greensboro suffered through an 8-0 shellacking from the Greenville Drive as the bullpen couldn’t build on an excellent start from Alessandro Ercolani, and the Bradenton Marauders fell 2-1 in a two-hitter.

Here’s a look at the top performing Pirates’ prospects despite the messy results.

Triple-A Indianapolis (11-11)

2B Nick Gonzales

• Game: 2-for-4 with a walk.
• Season: .390/.444/.585 with 11 doubles, a triple and a homer in 20 games.

1B Jake Lamb

• Game: 3-for-3 with a double and a walk.
• Season: .400/.492/.580 with 3 doubles and 2 homers in 16 games.

Double-A Altoona (5-10)

RHP Brad Case

• Game: 3 IP, 0 ER, 3 K’s.
• Season: 11.1 IP, 3.18 ERA, 9 K’s in 6 appearances.

1B Aaron Shackelford 

• Game: 2-for-4 with a double.
• Season: .240/.304/.480 with 3 doubles and 3 homers in 13 games.

High-A Greensboro (8-6)

RHP Alessandro Ercolani

• Game: 5 IP, 0 ER (1 unearned), 1 K.
• Season: 13 IP, 1.38 ERA, 9 K’s across 3 starts.

3B Charles McAdoo

• Game: 2-for-4.
• Season: .277/.375/.362 with a double and a homer in 14 games.

Single-A Bradenton (3-13)

RHP Elijah Birdsong

• Game: 2 IP, 0 ER and a K.
• Season: 3 IP, 0 ER and a K in 2 appearances.

C Omar Alfonzo

• Game: 1-for-2 with 2 walks.
• Season: .273/.429/.386 with 2 doubles and a homer in 13 games.