Pirates Prospect Watch: Indians, Grasshoppers Light It Up

Pirates’ minor league affiliates went 2-2 on Wednesday with scoring outbursts from the Indianapolis Indians and the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Triple-A Indianapolis saw their offense explode against the Buffalo Bisons despite managing just one home run, a solo shot from Andrés Alvarez. Players on injury rehab assignments, like Ji-hwan Bae and Yasmani Grandal, and players with big league experience like Nick Gonzales, Liover Peguero and Jake Lamb, all starred at the plate in the 14-5 thrashing.

The Altoona Curve fell 5-4 against the Harrisburg Senators, continuing a troubling trend of walk-off losses. Sean Sullivan spun five innings of one run ball, but the Curve bullpen allowed four runs across the final three innings, including the eventual homer that sent them packing. The Greensboro Grasshoppers continued to mash against the Winston-Salem Dash, winning 14-4 behind five homers—including two from Mitch Jebb and the second in as many days for Sammy Siani.

The Bradenton Marauders lost 2-0 to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, managing just one hit: an eighth inning single from third baseman Javier Rivas.

Here’s a look at the top performing Pirates prospects on an action-packed Wednesday.

Triple-A Indianapolis (14-12)

DH Jake Lamb

• Game: 3-for-5 with 2 doubles.
• Season: .391/.481/.609 with 5 doubles and 3 homers in 20 games.

SS Liover Peguero

• Game: 2-for-4 with a double and 2 walks.
• Season: .309/.346/.464 with 8 doubles, 2 triples and a homer in 24 games.

Double-A Altoona (5-17)

RHP Sean Sullivan

• Game: 5 IP, 1 ER, 5 K’s.
• Season: 22.2 IP, 2.78 ERA, 16 K’s in 5 starts.

3B Brenden Dixon

• Game: 2-for-4 with a homer.
• Season: .240/.345/.360 with a homer in 9 games.

High-A Greensboro (14-8)

INF Mitch Jebb

• Game: 3-for-6 with 2 homers and a double.
• Season: .250/.318/.388 with 2 doubles and 3 homers in 19 games.

RF Sammy Siani

• Game: 3-for-4 with a homer, a double and a walk.
• Season: .339/.412/.610 with 4 doubles and 4 homers in 17 games.

Single-A Bradenton (5-18)

RHP Tyler Kennedy

• Game: 2 IP, 0 ER, 6 K’s.
• Season: 8.2 IP, 9.35 ERA, 17 K’s in 8 appearances..

RHP Hung-Leng Chang

• Game: 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 K’s.
• Season: 16.1 IP, 1.10 ERA, 15 K’s in 4 starts.