Pirates Prospect Watch: Endy Rodriguez Blasts A Pair, Indy Walks it Off

Welcome back to another edition of Pirates Prospect Daily. All four of the Pirates’ minor league affiliates were in action on Saturday night as the second half of the minor league season marched on. Some of the Pirates’ top prospects showed the potential that has created excitement for the future.

Here are the top performers from Saturday down on the farm:

Indianapolis Indians

INF Rodolfo Castro

Game: 2 for 5, two home runs, three RBIs, two runs
Season: .231/.328/.434, 10 doubles, one triple, 11 homers, 36 RBIs, 63 games

1B/OF Bligh Madris

Game: 2 for 5, home run, two runs, two RBIs
Season: .297/.374/.497, 15 doubles, three triples, six homers, 24 RBIs, 56 games

A pair of “Young Bucs” who have already seen action in Pittsburgh helped the Indians enjoy a walk-off win on Mason Martin’s single, but keep an eye on both players. Each could be back in Pittsburgh by season’s end.

Altoona Curve

RHP Kyle Nicolas

Game: Five innings, four hits, two earned runs, one walk, three strikeouts
Season: 0-3, 4.21 ERA, 15 games/14 starts, 57.2 innings, 26 walks/67 strikeouts

RHP Nick Dombkowski

Game: Two innings, no hits, no earned runs, no walks, two strikeouts
Season: 1-1, 3.66 ERA, 10 games 19.2 innings, 7 walks/25 strikeouts

A pair of pitchers were the top performers for the Curve, even though they lost to Harrisburg 2-1. Nicolas, acquired from the Miami Marlins in the Jacob Stallings during the offseason, flashed his strong repertoire that made him an intriguing add this winter. Dombkowski continued his strong season out of the bullpen.

Greensboro Grasshoppers

C/1B Endy Rodriguez

Game: 2 for 3, two home runs, three RBIs, two runs
Season: .276/.361/.491, 21 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, 46 RBIs, 77 games

INF Francisco Acuna

Game: 2 for 3, one double, one run
Season: .283/.372/.442, 12 doubles, two homers, 13 RBIs, 39 games

Two position players paved the way for Greensboro in its 7-6 win over Hickory on Saturday. Rodriguez continued to show why he has emerged as one of the top prospects in the Pirates’ system. Acuna kept his solid production at the plate going for the Grasshoppers.

Bradenton Marauders

INF Juan Jerez

Game: 1 for 3, home run, five RBIs, one run, one walk
Season: .201/.282/.325, six doubles, two triples, three homers, 23 RBIs, 44 games

C Wyatt Hendrie

Game: 2 for 2, one run, one walk
Season: .245/.343/.384, six doubles, two triples, three homers, 19 RBIs, 65 games

Jerez’s grand slam helped lead Bradenton to a comeback win over Clearwater. With the win, the Marauders reached the .500 mark with a 44-44 record.