Pirates Prospect Watch: Indians Close Season on High Note

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Baseball Now
By Cody Potanko | Last updated 9/25/23

The final game of the minor league season for the Pittsburgh Pirates farm clubs has finally come, and it was a good note to end on for Triple-A Indianapolis.

With one more game left in the season, the Indians needed to win Sunday’s game against Rochester to secure the series win, and they did just that with a 5-1 win.

A rehabbing Max Kranick started the game and went 3.2 innings while giving up three hits, one run, no walks, and struck out two. In addition, Kranick finished the season with Triple-A Indianapolis with an ERA of 2.76 in 16.1 innings pitched.

The combined efforts of Chase De Jong (1.1 IP), Cameron Junker (2.0 IP), Travis MacGregor (1.0 IP), and, believe it or not, Josh Bissonette (1.0) shut Rochester out the rest of the way.

Ryan Vilade had an epic finish to his season, going 4-4 with a double and an RBI, while Joe Perez smashed his third homer for the Indians. In addition, Nick Gonzales went 1-4 with a double, run scored, and an RBI.

It’s always bittersweet when the minor league season ends, but you should expect more minor league coverage from us throughout the offseason.

Indianapolis (70-78)

RF Ryan Vilade

Game stats: 4-2, a double, run scored, and an RBI
Season stats: .270/.370/.382, six homers, four triples, 23 doubles, and 56 RBIs (440 at-bats, or 122 games at Triple-A)

RHP Cameron Junker

Game stats: 2.0 IP, two hits, no runs, two walks, and five strikeouts
Season stats: 4-5, 3.14 ERA, 57.1 IP, 31 walks, and 48 strikeouts in 46 games (one start between Double-A and Triple-A)

Despite the Indians finishing below .500, they ended their season on the right foot, taking four out of six games from the Rochester Red Wings.

Canaan Smith-Njigba was not in the final game of the year for the Indians, so one can speculate as to whether Smith-Njigba will be called up by the Pittsburgh Pirates for their matchup with the Phillies.

Back to the game, the Indians’ pitching staff was stellar, and they got a few critical hits from Joe Perez (HR), Nick Gonzales (RBI Double), and Ryan Vilade (RBI Double).

The Indians closed the game out with a 5-1 win and finished their season 70-78.