Pirates Prospect Watch: Top Performers From Indianapolis’ Opening Series

Even though the Indianapolis Indians were swept by the Omaha Storm Chasers in their season opening series, there were a few Pittsburgh Pirates’ prospects who performed well.

Triple-A Indianapolis’ roster is filled with young talent including a handful of the Pirates’ top prospects — both on the pitching and position player side of things.

Three of the Pirates’ top five prospects according to MLB Pipeline are currently calling Indianapolis home, and a handful of others in the organization’s top 30 do as well.

Here are a few of the Pirates’ prospects who started off their season on the right foot.

INF Nick Gonzales

• Season stats: .273/.385/.636, 3 for 11, one double, one home run, one RBI, one run, three games

Gonzales has shown off his power in the season’s early stages with two extra-base hits including his first Triple-A home run on Sunday. He has struck out five times already which is concerning, but when he’s made contact he’s hit the ball with authority.

1B/3B Malcom Nuñez

• Season stats: .300/.364/.300, 3 for 10, two RBIs, one run, three games

Nuñez, typically known for his power, displayed his other skills in the Indians’ first series. Nuñez showed strong contact skills and drove in a pair of runs for the Indians.

OF Chavez Young

• Season stats: .250/.250/.500, one triple, two RBIs, one run, one steal, two games

One of the newer Pirates’ prospects, Young was acquired in the offseason from the Toronto Blue Jays for righty Zach Thompson. Young has great speed as evident by his triple and stolen base.

RHP Mike Burrows

• Season stats: 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 5.0 innings, one run, two hits, two walks, one strikeout, one start

Burrows’ had a solid first start to the season for the Indians. He’s considered to be one of the Pirates’ top pitching prospects and currently ranks as the club’s ninth-best overall prospect.

RHP Luis Ortiz

• Season stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3.2 innings, one hit, no runs, three walks, four strikeouts, one start

Despite battling some control issues, Ortiz didn’t allow a run to kick of his 2023 season. The Storm Chasers managed only one hit against him while the Pirates’ prospect sat down four on strikes.