Prospect promotions frenzy for Pirates

MILWAUKEE -- When discussing the team’s decision to promote Henry Davis from Double-A Altoona to Triple-A Indianapolis, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington suggested that there would be more promotions on the horizon as the Minor League season reached its halfway point.

With Davis now being called up to the Pirates, those additional promotions have begun to take place.

Anthony Solometo, the Pirates’ No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been promoted from High-A Greensboro to Double-A Altoona. Additionally, Jared Jones, the Pirates’ No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will be promoted from Double-A Altoona to Triple-A Indianapolis, a source told MLB.com.

The decision to promote Jones and Solometo comes shortly after the Pirates promoted right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski, the club’s No. 23 prospect, to the Majors on Friday.

Solometo, 20, had a 2.30 ERA and 3.16 FIP in 12 starts for Greensboro. Across 58 2/3 innings, Solometo totaled 68 strikeouts (10.43 K/9).

In his first start with Altoona, Solometo allowed four runs (two earned) across five innings with seven strikeouts, one walk and one home run allowed.

“He was pitching in Greensboro, which is one of the toughest pitching environments in Minor League Baseball, and succeeding there. If you’re a pitcher and succeeding in Greensboro, [that’s] a pretty good sign that you have a chance to succeed at the next level,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan.

“We just felt he was ready for the next challenge, that by going to Double-A, he could continue to work on all the stuff he was working on in Greensboro, but he would get to face a slightly better level of hitter.”

Jones, 21, had a 2.23 ERA and 3.43 FIP in 10 starts for Altoona, striking out 47 batters and walking 16 across 44 1/3 innings. The club has yet to officially announce Jones’ promotion.

“Jared certainly has qualities that would translate to the Major Leagues,” Cherington said. “He’s diligently working on some things, also. He’s had a terrific Double-A season so far.”

Along with Solometo, Kyle Nicolas, the Pirates’ No. 18 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been promoted from Double-A Altoona to Triple-A Indianapolis

Nicolas, 24, posted a 4.36 ERA and 4.36 FIP in 12 starts for Altoona. The right-hander made his debut for Indianapolis on Saturday, allowing five earned runs across four innings with six strikeouts.

Davis doesn't miss a beat in Triple-A
Before his impending callup to the Pirates, Davis, the Bucs’ No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, reached base in nine of his first 10 games with Indianapolis. Across 45 plate appearances, Davis was hitting .286/.432/.514 with one home run and a 142 wRC+. Davis’s strikeout rate has been a bit up (18.7% in Altoona, 24.4% in Indianapolis), but his walk rate has maintained (17.1% in Altoona, 17.8% in Indianapolis).

Along with the production, Davis’ quality of contact has been impressive as well. Davis has produced eight batted balls of at least 100 mph, maxing out at 109.2 mph. Coming into Sunday, Davis had a streak of five consecutive games of generating an exit velocity of at least 99 mph.

With Endy Rodríguez, the Pirates’ No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, also with Indianapolis, Davis was seeing more time in right field, playing 48 innings there compared to 38 innings at catcher.

While Davis began the season with Altoona and Rodríguez, the organization’s reigning Minor League Player of the Year, began the season with Indianapolis, Davis has reached the Majors faster than Rodríguez.

Rodríguez, who dealt with a right forearm injury earlier this season, is hitting .236/.320/.364 with four home runs and a 72 wRC+ across 222 plate appearances this season. In June, Rodríguez is posting a .571 OPS and 45 wRC+ in 58 plate appearances.