Pirates Prospect Watch: Sullivan, Leyba Help Lead Altoona to Win

The Greensboro Grasshoppers were rained out by the other three Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor league affiliates were in action on Thursday.

The only minor league team to win was Double-A Altoona, who had a come-from-behind victory after receiving contributions from several Pirates’ prospects.

Infielder Domingo Leyba continued to impress at the plate this season, while a pair of pitchers extended their scoreless inning streaks to begin the season.

Here are some of the top performers from all the action on Thursday.

Indianapolis (9-15)

LF Josh Palacios

• Game stats: 1 for 2, two walks
• Season stats: .300/.391/.500, one double, one home run, six RBIs, five games

RHP Hunter Stratton

• Game stats: 2.0 innings, two hits, no runs, two walks, no strikeouts
• Season stats: 0-0, 2.19 ERA, 3er/12.1ip, 12 hits, 10 walks, 19 strikeouts, eight appearances/one start

Not a whole lot to highlight as Indianapolis was defeated 7-0 by the Columbus Clippers. Palacios continued his nice start to his Triple-A stint with the Pirates and Stratton worked around traffic to keep Columbus off the scoreboard.

Pirates prospect Quinn Priester had his outing begin on a promising note, but the right-hander ended with four earned runs in 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Altoona (9-8)

RHP Sean Sullivan

• Game stats: 5.0 innings, four hits, no runs, two walks, six strikeouts
• Season stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0er/11.2ip, eight hits, five walks, eight strikeouts, three appearances/three starts

INF Domingo Leyba

• Game stats: 2 for 4, one RBI, one run
• Season stats: .377/.459/.547, three doubles, two home runs, 11 RBIs, 15 games

Backed by a strong start from Sullivan, the Curve put up three runs in the ninth inning in their 3-2 win over the Fightin Phils. Leyba’s RBI-single was the final run of the frame.

Pirates’ prospect Henry Davis was on base three times, drove in a run and improved his OPS on the year to 1.064. First baseman Jacob Gonzalez had two hits.

Greensboro (12-5)

GAME POTPONED – MAKEUP SCHEDULED FOR 4/28

Bradenton (11-7)

RF Rodolfo Nolasco

• Game stats: 1 for 4, one double, two RBIs, one run
• Season stats: .333/.333/.583, three doubles, two RBIs, three games

1B Nick Cimillo

• Game stats: 1 for 2, one RBI, one run, two walks
• Season stats: .200/.400/.200, three RBIs, seven games

While Nolasco and Cimillo were both productive at the plate, Bradenton was defeated by the Dunedin Blue Jays 9-5.

Pirates prospect Ryan Harbin threw two scoreless innings and now has yet to allow a run through his first five appearances on the season.