Pirates Prospect Watch: Chandler, Solometo Combine on Shutout

After Monday’s edition of Pirates Prospect Watch broke down comments made by Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington regarding three minor leaguers, the Bucs’ top four affiliates were back in action on Tuesday night.

A number of Pirates’ pitching prospects enjoyed quality performances on the mound Tuesday and some position players shined as well. Here’s who shined the brightest.

Indianapolis Indians

RHP Cody Bolton

• Game: 3.0 innings, one hit, no runs, no walks, five strikeouts
• Season: 2-2, 2.72 ERA, 56.1 innings, 39 hits, 33 walks, 61 strikeouts, 21 games/12 starts

OF Travis Swaggerty

• Game: 1 for 3 with a walk
• Season: .259/.346/.415, 12 doubles, seven triples, seven home runs, 43 RBIs, 12 steals, 80 games

Indianapolis lost a pitcher’s duel to the Iowa Cubs 2-1. Bolton looked excellent across his three innings in relief of Johan Oviedo, who gave up one run and struck out three in two innings.

Swaggerty was on base twice for the Indians. Diego Castillo drove in their lone run

Altoona Curve

INF Liover Peguero

• Game: 2 for 3 with two RBIs
• Season: .264/.303/.398, 20 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, 44 RBIs, 22 steals, 98 games

RHP Kyle Nicolas

• Game: 5.0 innings, three hits, two earned runs, five walks, five strikeouts
• Season: 1-3, 3.87 ERA, 74.1 innings, 58 hits, 37 walks, 86 strikeouts, 19 games/18 starts

Play between Altoona and the Harrisburg Senators was suspended in the seventh inning with the score tied at 2-all, but Peguero was able to drive in a pair prior to the stoppage. Nicolas was able to battle some control issues to limit the Senators to just two runs.

Greensboro Grasshoppers

SS Francisco Acuna

• Game: 2 for 4 with a home run, a double, four RBIs, two runs and a steal
• Season: .267/.357/.436, 17 doubles, four home runs, 22 RBIs, seven steals 55 games

RHP Jared Jones

• Game: 5.0 innings, five hits, two earned runs, five strikeouts
• Season: 5-6, 5.01 ERA, 106 innings, 100 hits, 43 walks, 125 strikeouts, 22 games/22 starts

Acuna turned in an impressive effort in his two-hit, four-RBI performance from the ninth spot in the Grasshoppers’ batting order. Jones was impressive across his five innings in the start. Ultimately, Greensboro fell to the Rome Braves 6-5 in 10 innings.

Jacob Gonzalez recorded a three-hit games and Domingo Gonzalez provided three scoreless innings of relief.

Bradenton Marauders 

RHP Bubba Chandler

• Game: 4.0 innings, three hits, no runs, one walk, three strikeouts
• Season: 0-1, 4.32 ERA, 16.2 innings, 14 hits, 12 walks, 22 strikeouts, five games/three starts

LHP Anthony Solometo

• Game: 5.0 innings, three hits, no runs, no walks, four strikeouts
• Season: 4-0, 3.15 ERA, 34.1 innings, 27 hits, 11 walks, 35 strikeouts, 10 games/five starts

Chandler and Solometo combined to blank the Tampa Tarpons in Bradenton’s 6-0 victory. Chandler, who has battled some control issues, allowed only one free pass and Solometo improved his record to 4-0 after earning the win.

Norkis Marcos paced the Marauders’ offense with a pair of home runs and three runs driven in.