Pirates Prospect Watch: Paul Skenes’ Last Start in Triple-A?

Pirates’ minor league affiliates earned an organizational sweep on Sunday, with all four clubs winning alongside the big league squad.

Triple-A Indianapolis defeated the Buffalo Bisons 8-3 despite Paul Skenes allowing two runs in 4.1 innings… ballooning his ERA to 0.99 in what could end up as his final start in the minor leagues.

The Altoona Curve snapped their 15 game losing streak, putting the Harrisburg Senators away 6-2. Typical starter Bubba Chandler made a cameo in relief, firing three shutout innings for his first professional save. The Greensboro Grasshoppers won 15-5 behind home runs from Hudson Head and Josiah Sightler, while the Bradenton Marauders pulled out a 5-4 win despite errors allowing a pair of unearned runs to cross.

Here’s a look at the top performing Pirates’ prospects to round out the week.

Triple-A Indianapolis (16-14)

RHP Paul Skenes

• Game: 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 K’s.
• Season: 27.1 IP, 0.99 ERA, 45 K’s in 7 starts.

SS Nick Gonzales

• Game: 2-for-4 with 2 doubles and a walk.
• Season: .360/.422/.596 with 14 doubles, 2 triples and 3 homers in 28 games.

Double-A Altoona (6-21)

SS Tsung-Che Cheng

• Game: 3-for-4 with a double.
• Season: .203/.359/.338 with a double and 3 homers in 22 games.

1B Aaron Shackelford

• Game: 3-for-4 with a triple and a homer.
• Season: .235/.284/.444 with 3 doubles, a triple and 4 homers in 21 games.

High-A Greensboro (16-10)

LF Hudson Head

• Game: 4-for-5 with a homer.
• Season: .234/.388/.469 with a double, a triple and 4 homers in 21 games.

CF Sammy Siani

• Game: 3-for-5 with a double.
• Season: .324/.402/.563 with 5 doubles and 4 homers in 20 games.

Single-A Bradenton (9-18)

RHP Khristian Curtis

• Game: 4.2 IP, 1 ER (2 unearned), 6 K’s.
• Season: 19 IP, 5.21 ERA, 19 K’s in 5 starts.

RF Shalin Polanco

• Game: 1-for-3 with a homer and a walk.
• Season: .163/.233/.315 with 5 doubles and 3 homers in 23 games.