PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Jacob Stallings with his seventh career walk-off hit and second on the month as his fielders' choice scored Bryan Reynolds in the ninth for a 3-2 win over the Phillies. Bucs go for the sweep on Sunday
Mitch Keller returns
The last time Mitch Keller was in the majors, he was raising his ERA to 7.04 with a sub-3 inning performance against the Dodgers June 10. The right-hander has been in the minors ever since and mostly impressing. He returns to start Sunday as the Bucs go for the sweep.
"I'm really excited," Stallings said. "He and I had a really good talk before he got sent down. We talked while he was down a couple of times. I think we will see a different mentality, just attacking the zone. I'm really excited to see him pitch and see the work in Triple A, hopefully it pays off.
Keller made six starts, going 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA with 13 walks to 39 strikeouts in AAA, Indianapolis with his last outing being his worst, giving up four earned runs in five innings, striking out nine.
4th rounder signed
Pirates signed the 19th player from their 21-player draft class and also called up an infielder acquired in a recent trade.
Signing high school players not drafted in the first round can often be a challenge. Saturday, the Pirates signed their sixth, right-handed pitcher Owen Kellington from Vermont.
The 6'3", 193-pounder won a high school state title going 7-0 with a 0.22 ERA with an incredible 133 strikeouts in 49 innings. Said another way, 91% of his outs were by strikeout. Kellington hit .667 with seven home runs, 26 RBI and 32 runs scored and is the highest selection ever as a prep player from Vermont.
His signing means the Pirates inked all of their first dozen picks, Kellington reportedly for $600,000. Bucs end up with five of the top 87 rated players in the draft by Baseball America-Henry Davis-4th, Bubba Chandler-20th, Anthony Solometo-28th, Lonnie White, Jr-32nd, Braylon Bishop-87th.
Closer
Quick answer from Pirates manager Derek Shelton as he said there will be a bullpen by committee after the trade of Richard Rodriguez to the Braves. Pirates have yet to have a save opportunity in the first two games post-Rodriguez, although Chris Stratton pitched the ninth in a tie game.
Park It
Picked up from the Yankees in the Clay Holmes trade, left-hand hitting Hoy Park hitting a professional career-high .327 in Triple A this season. In 48 games at the highest minor league level, Park had nine doubles, a triple and 10 home runs. Park also had a .475 on-base percentage as he walked as many times as he struck out.
He's a natural infielder, but sounds like he will play multiple positions. At least to start for the Pirates.
"He's both, middle of the diamond, second and short and he's played the outfield not only in the big leagues, but in AAA," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "There is a chance he can bounce out there. We really like his versatility. He has made some adjustments to his swing that we like."
