Pirates Prospect Watch: Grasshoppers Twirl One-Hitter

Pirates’ affiliates picked up three wins on Friday, with the Greensboro Grasshoppers coming close to a historical event and a handful of homers throughout the lower tiers of the system.

The Grasshoppers allowed just one hit, which came with two outs in the seventh, cruising to a 5-0 win over the Greenville Drive. They also got things done at the plate, with Nick Cimillo, Maikol Escotto and Shawn Ross all hitting homers.

Thomas Harrington allowed two earned runs across 4.2 innings for the Altoona Curve in his fourth appearance of the season, paving the way for an 8-3 win.

The Bradenton Marauders put up a three-spot in the eighth (all coming on a homer from Esmerlyn Valdez) for a 4-3 comeback victory over the Dunedin Blue Jays. Shalin Polanco added another home run, his second in as many days.

In other news, Triple-A Indianapolis managed just two hits in their 12-0 loss to the Iowa Cubs. 

Here’s a look at the top performing Pirates’ prospects to kick off Memorial Day Weekend.

Triple-A Indianapolis (22-24)

DH Henry Davis

• Game: 1-for-4 with a double.
• Season: .315/.456/.741 with 5 doubles and 6 homers in 15 games.

CF Gilberto Celestino

• Game: 2-for-3 with 2 singles.
• Season: .283/.357/.348 with 6 doubles and a homer in 39 games.

Double-A Altoona (13-30)

1B Seth Beer

• Game: 2-for-4 with a homer.
• Season: .309/.386/.439 with 5 doubles, a triple and 3 homers in 35 games.

C Carter Bins

• Game: 2-for-4 with a homer.
• Season: .239/.349/.451 with 6 doubles and 2 homers in 25 games between Indianapolis and Altoona.

High-A Greensboro (25-18)

RHP Patrick Reilly

• Game: 5 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 7 K’s.
• Season: 36.1 IP, 4.95 ERA, 51 K’s in 9 starts.

DH Nick Cimillo

• Game: 2-for-4 with a homer.
• Season: .328/.391/.607 with 2 doubles and 5 homers in 17 games.

Single-A Bradenton (20-23)

CF Shalin Polanco

• Game: 2-for-4 with a homer.
• Season: .153/.215/.285 with 7 doubles and 4 homers in 37 games.

1B Esmerlyn Valdez

• Game: 1-for-4 with a homer.
• Season: .228/.342/.394 with 6 doubles and 5 homers in 37 games.