Pirates Prospect Watch: Paul Skenes Shoves in Third Straight Start

Pirates’ minor league affiliates suffered a rough night at the office on Friday, losing all 3 decisions—although the Greensboro Grasshoppers claimed victory in the resumption of a rain-suspended game where they’d already built a 10-0 lead on Thursday.

The Indianapolis Indians fell 4-3 in 11 innings despite another lights-out start from 2023 first overall draft pick Paul Skenes, who mowed through the lineup to the tune of eight strikeouts across 10 outs recorded. Altoona saw their game postponed due to rain for the second straight night, while the Greensboro Grasshoppers managed just one hit in a 2-0 loss as their offense came back down to earth.

Struggles continued for Single-A Bradenton, as the Marauders fell 7-6 in extra innings.

Looking on the bright side, here are the top performing Pirates prospects despite a tough slate of games on Friday night.

Triple-A Indianapolis (6-6)

RHP Paul Skenes

• Game: 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 8 K’s.
• Season: 9.1 IP, 0 ER, 19 K’s in 3 starts.

3B Sergio Alcántara

• Game: 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.
• Season: .235/.350/.294 with a double in 5 games.

Double-A Altoona (3-2)

DNP: postponed due to rain.

High-A Greensboro (4-3)

2B Charles McAdoo

• Game: 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base.
• Season: .235/.417/.235 in 6 games.

CF Lonnie White Jr.

• Game: White hit a double when play resumed in a continuation of Thursday’s suspended game; he went 0-for-3 in Friday’s nightcap.
• Season: .321/.387/.893 with 4 home runs in 7 games played.

Single-A Bradenton (1-6)

C Garret Forrester

• Game: 2-for-5 with a double.
• Season: .143/.280/.190 with a double in 6 games.

CF Shalin Polanco

• Game: 1-for-4 with a home run and a walk.
• Season: .185/.267/.333 with a home run in 7 games.