Welcome to In The System, our new daily analysis of the latest throughout the Pirates' organization!
Each morning, we'll spotlight an individual player or performance from the previous day/night, in addition to offering convenient links to find all the information anyone could want on Class AAA Indianapolis, Class AA Altoona, high Class A Greensboro and low Class A Bradenton throughout the season.
Player: Maikol Escotto
Position: Infielder
Bats/throws: Right/right
Age: 18
Size: 5-11, 180 pounds
MLB organizational rank: Unranked
Affiliate: Bradenton
Wednesday was a crazy offensive night in Bradenton, with the Marauders coming out ahead against the Palm Beach Cardinals, 18-11.
Escotto led the way, driving in five runs on two hits and five walks, including his first grand slam of the season:
SS Prospect, Maikol Escotto #Pirates
— Pirates Prospect Talk (@TalkPirates) May 27, 2021
His first homerun of the year was a grand slam!🔥
His batting average is now up to .353 pic.twitter.com/WooUwhOjB1
One of four players the Pirates got back in the Jameson Taillon deal, Escotto is slashing an incredible .346/.493/.462 over his first 67 plate appearances stateside. The Dominican prospect is just starting to tap into his raw power, and with a good year, could be a fast riser up prospect boards.
There is some concern with his defense, but he's been playing shortstop for the Marauders. He'll turn 19 next week, and while he's very raw, he has potential to be one of the Pirates best position player prospects in the not too distant future.
ELSEWHERE
• Miguel Yajure got hit hard, allowing five runs over five innings in the Indians' 10-7 loss to the Omaha Storm Chasers. Ke'Bryan Hayes doubled and scored three runs, serving as the designated hitter.
• Mason Martin went deep for the third time this season in a 3-2 Altoona Curve win over the Erie Seawolves. That's nine extra-base hits on the year for Martin (five doubles, a triple and three homers), who is slugging .516 early in the season.
• Sticking with the theme of top pitching prospects getting hit hard Wednesday (Jose Soriano allowed seven runs over 2/3 of an inning in the Bradenton game too), Tahnaj Thomas allowed three solo home runs, walked four and was pulled in the second inning of the Grasshoppers' 12-7 loss to the Wilmington Blue Rocks. After striking out 22 over 12 innings in his first three starts, Thomas did not fan a batter Wednesday.
OFFICIAL LINKS
YOUR TURN: We'd love to hear from you, too, especially if you make it out to see any of these prospects and affiliates play. Feel free to file your own original scouting reports and other observations in comments.