Pirates Prospect Watch: Strong Starting Pitching for Young Bucs

The 2024 Minor League Baseball season is now in full swing for the Pirates’ affiliates, with the Altoona Curve, Greensboro Grasshoppers and Bradenton Marauders playing their Opening Day games on Friday, April 5. The Indianapolis Indians won 8-3 behind another excellent performance from 2023 first overall pick Paul Skenes and a 5-for-5 day at the plate from shortstop Liover Pegeuro. The Altoona Curve prevailed 4-3 in ten innings, tying the game in the ninth inning thanks to a double and nifty base running from third baseman Jackson Glenn before right fielder Matt Frazier singled in a run that put them ahead for good.

Clubs lower in the Pirates’ system didn’t fare as well. The Greensboro Grasshoppers took a 3-0 lead in the first inning of their game with the Greenville Drive, but their bats fell asleep after that on the way to a 5-3 loss in ten innings. 2023 fourth round draft pick and WVU Baseball product Carlson Reed got the ball to start the Bradenton Marauders’ game with the Clearwater Threshers—despite serving as the Mountaineers’ closer last season—and struck out six batters in four scoreless innings, but Bradenton’s bullpen struggled late on the way to a 5-2 loss. Here’s a look at the Pirates’ top minor league performers on Friday. 

Triple-A Indianapolis (3-3)

RHP Paul Skenes

• Game: 3 IP, 6 K’s and 0 ER.
• Season: 6 IP, 11 K’s and 0 ER.

SS Liover Peguero

• Game: 5-for-5 with a double and 3 RBI.
• Season: .379/.379/.483 with 3 doubles in six games.

Double-A Altoona (1-0)

3B Jackson Glenn

• Game: 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a run scored.

RF Matt Frazier

• Game: 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a run scored.

High-A Greensboro (0-1)

DH Charles McAdoo

• Game: 2-for-2 with a walk.

LHP Hunter Barco

• Game: 3IP, 6 K’s and 0 ER.

Single-A Bradenton (0-1)

RHP Carlson Reed

• Game: 4 IP, 6 K’s and 0 ER.

CF Shalin Polanco

• Game: 2-for-5 with a double.