Pirates Prospect Watch: Rough Night in AFL For Young Bucs

On Monday, Oct. 30, the Salt River Rafters squared off against the Glendale Desert Dogs in Glendale. Pittsburgh Pirates prospects Jase Bowen(1B) and Jack Brannigan (SS) were in Salt Rivers lineup. 

In addition, LHP Nick Dombkowski and Tyler Samaniego came in relief for Salt River on Tuesday. 

The Rafters came into Monday’s game riding a three-game winning streak and were a game above .500. Unfortunately, Salt River’s streak ended by a score of 5-4 on a walk-off single. 

In addition, Salt River is 3.0 games back of first place and is currently ranked fourth in the Arizona Fall League with a record of 12-12. 

Bowen

Bowen has had trouble reaching that next gear we saw from him early into the fall league. Tuesday night, the Ohio native went 1-4 with a single and scored once. 

In addition, Bowen has now played at first base seven times. The only other position he’s played more in is right field (nine times). This could mean something for Bowen as he inches closer to the major leagues. 

It could also point in the direction of how the Pirates want to handle the first base position moving forward into the so-called “contender” years.

Brannigan

Brannigan has been an extreme disappointment during the fall league. As it stands, Brannigan has a batting average of .164 and has struck out 26 times in 61 at-bats (nearly 43% of the time). 

Tuesday night, Brannigan went 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

Dombkowski

Dombkowski’s time was cut short Tuesday night after he gave up a leadoff double and a one-out walk. Dombkowski left Tuesday’s game after 0.2 innings of work and was taken off the hook by Christian Montes.

Dombkowski’s final line read 0.2 innings pitched, one hit, no runs, one walk, and no strikeouts. In addition, Dombkowski threw 16 pitches (ten strikes) in his outing. 

Samaniego

Unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Pirates prospect, Samaniego walked into a bad situation in the bottom of the ninth. The lefty came in with the bases loaded and two outs.

In addition, Salt River was leading 4-3 before Samaniego took the hill.

In six pitches, Samaniego walked in a run, which tied the game at four apiece. The next batter Samaniego faced was Colson Montgomery. 

On the tenth pitch of the at-bat, Montgomery singled on a line drive to center field, scoring Kala’i Rosario in walk-off fashion. Samaniego’s final line read 0.0 innings pitched, one hit, no runs, one walk, and no strikeouts.