Pirates Prospect Watch: Rodriguez, Massey Appear in Futures Game

The National League defeated the American League in the 2023 MLB Futures Game, and both Pittsburgh Pirates representatives had a hand in the win.

Starting at first base, Endy Rodriguez had two plate appearances — drawing walks both times up to the plate. Rodriguez also scored a run for the N.L.

On the mound, J.P. Massey tossed an inning of scoreless relief to help preserve the shutout. The right-hander did walk three, but he recorded an inning-ending strikeout to preserve the zero.

In addition to the Futures Game, it was another full slate of action in the Pirates’ minor league system. Here’s who stood out.

Indianapolis (40-45)

1B Aaron Shackelford

• Game stats: 2 for 3, one home run, two RBIs, one run
• Season stats: .241/.359/.451, 12 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, seven steals, 71 games

2B Liover Peguero

• Game stats: 1 for 4, one triple, two RBIs, one run
• Season stats: .154/.313/.308, one triple, two RBIs, two steals, four games

Shackelford homered and Peguero drove in a pair with a triple, but Indianapolis was defeated 8-7 by the Memphis Redbirds.

Canaan Smith-Njigba went 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Altoona (39-40)

2B Jackson Glenn

• Game stats: 2 for 5, one double, three RBIs,
• Season stats: .318/.400/.455, three doubles, six RBIs, two steals, five games

SS Tsung-Che Cheng

• Game stats: 2 for 3, two runs, two steals
• Season stats: .232/.279/.268, one triple, three RBIs, six steals, 14 games

Altoona’s middle infield of Glenn and Cheng was a big reason for their 4-2 win over the Erie SeaWolves.

Pirates prospect Justin Meis earned the win after 3.1 strong innings of relief while outfielder Matt Fraizer went 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Greensboro (39-39)

CF Tres Gonzalez

• Game stats: 2 for 4, one walk, one steal
• Season stats: .282/.396/.395, 10 doubles, four home runs, 23 RBIs, 15 steals, 51 games

SS Maikol Escotto

• Game stats: 2 for 4, one run
• Season stats: .203/.253/.333, eight doubles, two triples, six home runs, 28 RBIs, six steals, 65 games

Gonzalez and Escotto were the lone bright spots for Greensboro, who was walloped 16-1 by the Aberdeen IronBirds.

For Gonzalez, it was his fourth multi-hit game in a row and he extended his hitting streak to seven games.

Bradenton (44-35)

2B Termarr Johnson

• Game stats: 1 for 2, one home run, one RBI, one run, two walks
• Season stats: .230/.397/.403, eight doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 33 RBIs, four steals, 59 games

RHP Wilber Dotel

• Game stats: 5.0 innings, two hits, no runs, five walks, four strikeouts
• Season stats: 1-1, 3.27 ERA, 12er/33.0ip, 24 hits, 24 walks, 28 strikeouts, nine appearances/eight starts

Johnson slugged his eighth homer of the season and Dotel threw five-shutout frames but Bradenton fell 4-3 to the Daytona Tortugas.

Josiah Sightler went 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI and is now hitting .531 with a 1.420 OPS through his first eight games with the Marauders.