Pirates Prospect Watch: Endy Rodriguez Homers in Triple-A Opener

The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians opened up their 2023 season on Friday night and Pittsburgh Pirates’ prospect Endy Rodriguez started off the year with a bang.

In his first at-bat of the season, Rodriguez belted a two-run shot to right field off of right-hander Mike Mayers. The blast wasn’t enough, however, as the Indians (0-1) fell to the Omaha Storm Chasers by a score of 8-6.

His home run plated outfielder Travis Swaggerty, who doubled to begin the home half of the first.

Rodriguez, the Pirates’ second-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline, finished the night 1 for 5.

Rodriguez has flown through the Pirates’ minor league system since being acquired from the New York Mets in a three-team trade in Jan. 2021.

After breezing through High-A and Double-A, Rodriguez spent the final six games of the 2022 season with Triple-A Indianapolis where he hit .455 (10 for 22) with two doubles, a triple and a home run.

The 22-year-old was named the 2022 Honus Wagner Player-of-the-Year. The award is given to the top performer amongst Pirates’ prospects on the position player side of things.

Rodriguez is on track to make his major league debut for the Pirates at some point this season.

In Other News…

A few other Pirates’ prospects played well in Friday night’s loss.

Malcom Nuñez, who was playing first base, finished the game 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Nuñez is in his first full season with the organization after being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals last summer.

2020 first-rounder Nick Gonzales also collected a pair of hits, finishing the night 2 for 5 with a double. It was Gonzales’ first career game at Triple-A.

Right-handed pitcher Luis Ortiz was the starter for the Indians. The Pirates’ prospect limited the Storm Chasers to just one hit over 3.2 innings pitched. He didn’t allow a run, walked three and struck out four.

Indianapolis will be back in action on Saturday afternoon against the Storm Chasers.