Only the two Florida Complex League (former Gulf Coast League) teams played on Monday. Here’s a look at the results of their season openers.
FCL PIRATES BLACK
Season Preview (coming soon)
Starting Pitcher: Ryan Harbin 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO
Notable Performances:
Angel Basabe 0-for-4, BB
Juan Jerez 0-for-2, 3 BB
Solomon Maguire 1-for-5, RBI
Luis Tejeda 0-for-3, RBI, BB
Game Recap: The Opening Day start for the Pirates Black went to Ryan Harbin, an over-slot signing from the 2019 draft out of high school. He tossed three shutout inning on three hits, with no walks and four strikeouts. Christian Charle followed with four impressive outings, with one hit, no walks and four strikeouts. He hasn’t pitched since 2018 because he had to sit out 2019 due to a 72-game suspension and then the 2020 DSL season was wiped away. Yoelvis Reyes came out in the eighth and tossed two shutout frames for the 9-0 win. All three pitchers picked up four strikeouts apiece.
The offense was paced by catcher Luis Hernandez (he was the DH today), who went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs. The Pirates were shutdown early by former Pirates prospect Conner Loeprich, who was making a rehab appearance and his season debut. He had High-A experience in 2019, so he over-matched the younger hitters for three innings. After he left, the floodgates opened. Franquelis Bastardo went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Jhan Polanco had three walks and two runs scored. Juan Jerez, who was named by some as the top prospect from the loaded 2019 DSL Pirates clubs, had three walks and scored two runs in his debut in the states. Solomon Maguire made his pro debut. He signed for $580,000 out of Australia in February of 2020. He had a single and an RBI.
FCL PIRATES GOLD
Season Preview (coming soon)
Starting Pitcher: Joelvis Del Rosario 3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO
Notable Performances:
Jasiah Dixon 2-for-4, BB
Deivis Nadal 1-for-5
Daniel Rivero 0-for-3, HBP
Rodolfo Nolasco 1-for-4
Game Recap: Joelvis Del Rosario got the Opening Day start for the Pirates Gold and allowed two runs over three innings on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts. The 20-year-old right-handed pitcher had a 3.08 ERA in 61.1 innings over two seasons in the DSL. Bladimir Dotel followed with a shutout inning in his pro debut, though it was not an easy inning, with two hits and one walk. He was the last signing for the Pirates during the 2019-20 signing period. Johan Montero followed with one run over two innings, striking out four batters. Darvin Garcia took over in the seventh and gave up two runs in two innings. Adrian Mendez, the top pitcher signing during the 2018 international signing period, recorded just two outs while allowing two runs in the ninth. He allowed two hits, two walks and hit a batter. Mario Garcia recorded the final out and stranded two runners, but the Pirates lost 7-3.
Two of the top prospects from the 2019 DSL clubs, made their debut in the U.S. on Monday. Rodolfo Nolasco and Deivis Nadal each recorded a single. They are two very different players. Nolasco is a strong corner outfielder, known for making extremely hard contact (best among all DSL Pirates). Nadal is a wiry player, more of a contact hitter with speed, who has developed into a strong defensive shortstop. Randy Romero, who was the DSL league MVP in 2019, also made his debut in the states. He had a single, double, run scored and an RBI. Jasiah Dixon began the season with Bradenton, but was sent down after his average plummeted. He had two hits, a walk and scored a run. Norkis Marcos was also sent down from Bradenton, except he was with the team until yesterday. He had two hits. The Pirates had just one walk and 14 strikeouts.
