Pirates Prospect Watch: Paul Skenes Pitches Into the Fifth

Pirates’ 2023 first overall pick Paul Skenes helped lead Triple-A Indianapolis to victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers on Wednesday—his first pitching appearance in Omaha since winning the College World Series there last year—continuing to build his workload as he prepares for the big leagues. Skenes allowed his first run of the season but also pitched into the fifth inning for the first time. 2020 first round pick Nick Gonzales managed three hits, boosting his batting average over .400.

Right-hander Bubba Chandler couldn’t make it out of the first inning for the Altoona Curve, getting pulled after two outs and two runs allowed as his pitch count started to balloon. Akron built up a big lead early, and the Curve couldn’t come back in time in the eventual 8-7 loss. The Greensboro Grasshoppers’ bullpen gave up four runs in the ninth in a walk-off loss.

Here’s a look at the top performing Pirates’ prospects on Wednesday.

Triple-A Indianapolis (12-11)

2B Nick Gonzales

• Game: 3-for-5 with a homer.
• Season: .402/.453/.621 with 11 doubles, a triple and 2 homers in 21 games.

RHP Paul Skenes

• Game: 4.1 IP, 1 ER and 7 K’s.
• Season: 17 IP. 0.53 ERA, 34 K’s in 4 starts.

Double-A Altoona (5-11)

INF Kervin Pichardo

• Game: 2-for-3 with a homer and a walk.
• Season: .227/.320/.341 with 2 doubles and a homer in 13 games.

1B Seth Beer

• Game: 4-for-4 with 4 singles.
• Season: .318/.400/.409 with a double and a homer in 12 games.

High-A Greensboro (8-7)

LHP Hunter Barco

• Game: 4 IP, 2 ER, 7 K’s.
• Season: 15 IP, 1.80 ERA, 21 K’s in 4 starts.

RF Charles McAdoo

• Game: 2-for-4 with a double.
• Season: .294/.383/.392 with 2 doubles and a homer in 15 games.

Single-A Bradenton (3-13)

RHP Hung-Leng Chang

• Game: 5 IP, 0 ER (2 unearned) and 4 K’s.
• Season: 12.2 IP, 0.71 ERA and 10 K’s in 3 starts.

C Garret Forrester

• Game: 2-for-4 with a double.
• Season: .184/.365/.245 with 3 doubles in 15 games.