Pirates Prospect Watch: Kranick, Perez End 2023 On A High Note

The Indianapolis Indians closed out their 2023 season on a high note, taking down the Rochester Red Wings 5-1. With Bradenton, Greensboro and Altoona all done for the year, the Indianapolis win concludes the Pirates’ minor league season.

Slippery Rock legend Matt Adams gave Rochester a 1-0 lead in the fourth with an RBI single. Indianapolis took command from there, plating three runs in the fifth on a Vinny Capra single and doubles from Nick Gonzales and Ryan Vilade, who went 4-for-4.

Left fielder Joe Perez hit a two-run homer in the eighth to preempt a save situation. 

On the other side of the ball, Max Kranick threw 60 pitches over 3.2 innings as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery, allowing one run and striking out two batters. 

Chase De Jong earned the win with 1.1 innings in relief; Cameron Junker punched out five batters across two innings, but kept things interesting with two walks and two hits allowed.

Here’s a look at the young Pirates’ top performers.

Triple-A Indianapolis (70-78)

RF Ryan Vilade

• Game: 4-for-4 with an RBI double .
• Season: .270/.370/.382 with six home runs in 122 Triple-A games.

LF Joe Perez

• Game: 1-for-4 with a two-run homer.
• Season: .272/.359/.452 with 20 home runs in 121 minor league games.