Pirates Prospect Watch: Smith-Njigba Has Career Night

Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Canaan Smith-Njigba was feeling it Tuesday night. In addition to going 4-5 at the plate, Smith-Njigba drove in five RBIs, which ties a career-high.

Altoona’s comeback fell short in the ninth inning, and Greensboro’s game was suspended in the sixth.

The only other player whose night rivaled Smith-Njigba’s was Rodolfo Nolasco down in Bradenton. Unlike Smith-Njigba, Nolasco hit a double and a homer en route to his five RBI night.

Let’s head down to the Pirates farm and see which prospects pined for our attention Tuesday night.

Indianapolis (60-71)

RF Canaan Smith-Njigba

• Game stats: 4-5 with five RBIs
• Season stats: .247/.342/.435, 13 homers, one triple, 20 doubles, and 51 RBIs (324 at-bats, or 89 games in Triple-A)

2B Nick Gonzales

• Game stats: 4-5 with a triple
• Season stats: .270/.376/.463, nine homers, six triples, 21 doubles, and 36 RBIs (311 at-bats, or 82 games at Triple-A)

The Indians six-game losing streak snapped after their 8-6 win over Toledo. Canaan Smith-Njigba and Nick Gonzales had tremendous nights, combining 8-10.

In addition, Smith-Njigba matched a career-high five RBIs Tuesday night.

Altoona (58-66)

2B Jackson Glenn

• Game stats: 2-5 with two RBIs
• Season stats: .294/.360/.469, 11 homers, three triples, 17 doubles, and 56 RBIs (320 at-bats, or 83 games between High-A and Double-A)

3B Andrés Alvarez

• Game stats: 3-4, a triple, a run scored, and an RBI
• Season stats: .220/.289/.351, seven homers, one triple, 17 doubles, and 33 RBIs (305 at-bats, or 86 games)

Altoona dropped game one of their six-game series with Harrisburg. Jackson Wolf went five innings while giving up four hits, three earned runs, no walks, and struck out four.

In addition, Harrisburg drilled two homers off of the lefty.

Jackson Glenn and Andrés Alvarez did all they could, going a combined 5-9 with three RBIs, but in the end, the Curve lost 6-4.

Greensboro (65-58)

Game was suspended.

Bradenton (73-52)

DH Rodolfo Nolasco

• Game stats: 2-5, a homer, double, one run scored, and five RBIs
• Season stats: .215/.354/.433, 18 homers, 21 doubles, and 65 RBIs (344 at-bats, or 98 games)

RHP Elijah Birdsong

• Game stats: 2.0 IP, no hits, no runs, no walks, and two strikeouts
• Season stats: 1-3, 6.42 ERA, 47.2 IP, 29 walks, and 43 strikeouts in 37 games (no starts)

Nolasco came to play Tuesday night as Bradenton crushed Fort Myers 10-5. Nolasco blasted his 18th homer of the season and drove in a career-high five RBIs.

In addition to Nolasco, Lonnie White Jr. and Charles McAdoo also hit homers. Bradenton has won six in a row and looks to make it seven on Wednesday night.

Elijah Birdsong threw two perfect innings.