One Pittsburgh Pirates’ prospect that has really started to emerge this season is infielder Tsung-Che Cheng, who has spent the year with High-A Greensboro.
After another big night at the plate on Thursday, Cheng is now hitting .321 on the season and carries an OPS north of 1.000.
Due to his performance with the Grasshoppers, a promotion to Double-A Altoona could be getting closer for Cheng.
Cheng was joined by these Pirates’ prospects as the standouts from Thursday’s minor league action.
Indianapolis (29-35)
C Henry Davis
2B Nick Gonzales
A pair of top Pirates’ prospects in Davis and Gonzales led a big offensive night for Indianapolis, but the Indians were edged out 10-8 by the Iowa Cubs.
Endy Rodriguez doubled and was on base twice while Jared Triolo had two hits and a run scored.
Altoona (30-28)
2B Liover Peguero
RHP Aaron Shortridge
Peguero’s homer and Shortridge’s six shutout innings weren’t enough for Altoona in their 6-3 loss to the Somerset Patriots.
Pirates prospect Matt Gorski was 2 for 5 with a run scored and stole three bases in the loss.
Greensboro (32-25)
SS Tsung-Che Cheng
3B Shawn Ross
Cheng recorded a four-hit game and Ross homered for Greensboro in their 6-5 win over the Greenville Drive.
Ernny Orodonez also homered while Pirates prospect Will Matthiessen hit a pair of doubles. Brendan Dixon and Tres Gonzalez also had multi-hit games.
Bradenton (31-29)
DH Nick Cimillo
RF Rodolfo Nolasco
Despite homers from Cimillo and Nolasco, the Marauders were defeated by the Fort Myers Mighty Muscles 7-4.
Pirates prospect Wilber Dotel allowed only one run and struck out five in 4.0 innings in the start for Bradenton.
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