Pirates Prospect Watch: Grim Night for Altoona and Indianapolis

Saturday night was a rather grim day for the Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A and Triple-A squads. Both Triple-A Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona fell to their opponents 9-2. 

There were a few bright spots, like Mason Martin hitting a homer and Canaan Smith-Njigba going 2-4. Besides that, it was a bleak day for minor league baseball in Pittsburgh’s neck of the woods. 

Altoona’s pitching staff failed them, much like Indianapolis’, as two out of their three bullpen arms gave up three earned runs. In addition, Altoona will play their final game of the season on Sunday.

Let’s look at any prospects who might shine like a beacon on a cloudy and foggy night. 

Indianapolis (66-75)

RF Canaan Smith-Njigba

• Game stats: 2-4 with an RBI
• Season stats: .270/.357/.450, 13 homers, one triple, 25 doubles, and 64 RBIs (367 at-bats, or 100 games at Triple-A)

DH Mason Martin

• Game stats: 1-4, one homer, one run scored, and one RBI
• Season stats: .215/.353/.436, 18 homers, one triple, 12 doubles, and 54 RBIs (307 at-bats, or 94 games between Double-A and Triple-A)

As the opening paragraph stated, it was an ugly game for the Pittsburgh Pirates Triple-A team. Wil Crowe gave up five earned runs on eight hits.

The only player to register more than one hit was Canaan Smith-Njigba, and the only extra-base hit was Mason Martin’s homer in the fourth inning.

As a result, the Indians lost 9-2 after a dreadful game from the bullpen and the offense.

Altoona (66-68)

1B Connor Scott

• Game stats: 1-3 with an RBI
• Season stats: .195/.260/.315, three homers, four triples, 14 doubles, nine stolen bases, and 37 RBIs (257 at-bats, or 73 games)

CF Jase Bowen

• Game stats: 1-4, a triple, and a run scored
• Season stats: .255/.328/.468, 23 homers, six triples, 17 doubles, 26 stolen bases, and 94 RBIs (462 at-bats, or 117 games played between High-A and Double-A)

Much like their Triple-A brethren, Altoona suffered a 9-2 loss to Akron. Jackson Wolf went five innings while giving up six hits, three runs, one walk, and struck out four.

Michell Miliano and Valentin Linarez followed Wolf, each giving up three earned runs on two hits. In addition, Jase Bowen was the only Curve player to register an extra-base hit.

Jacob Gonzalez was the only curve player to have more than one hit.

Greensboro (68-61)

Season Over

Bradenton (76-54)

Season Over