Pirates Prospect Watch: Brannigan Blasts Fourth Homer

On Thursday, the Salt River Rafters traveled to Peoria to face the Javelinas. Pittsburgh Pirates prospects Jase Bowen and Jack Brannigan were in Salt River’s starting lineup. 

It was a high-scoring affair between Salt River and Peoria, but the Javelinas held on to a 10-8 victory. Salt River attempted a comeback late in the game. After scoring three runs in the sixth, Salt River cut the lead to two but couldn’t muster anything afterward. 

Salt River’s record dropped to 14-16, and now sit 4.5 games of first place in the Arizona Fall League. 

Bowen

In the top of the sixth, Bowen was a part of the three-run inning. With two outs in the inning, Bowen had runners on second and third. Bowen battled through a ton of tough pitches. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, Bowen received a thigh-high pitch.

Bowen made Peoria pay as he delivered an opposite-field two-RBI line drive single to right field. The game was now within reach as it was 10-8 Peoria. 

In the Arizona Fall League, Bowen now has 19 RBIs. Bowen now sits tied for seventh place in the AFL in the category. He finished the night going 1-5 with two RBIs and a strikeout.

Brannigan

The strikeout woes continued for Brannigan Thursday night as he struck out three times in four at-bats. However, Brannigan showed off his significant power potential. 

In the fourth inning, Salt River was down 3-1. With a runner on second base, Brannigan came to the plate. RHP Jake Miller worked down and away from Brannigan the entire at-bat. 

On the fifth pitch, the Pittsburgh Pirates prospect adjusted and blasted his fourth homer of the AFL season, which knotted the game was knotted up at three apiece at the time. 

Brannigan finished the night going 1-4 with two RBIs and three strikeouts. Brannigan has struck out 35 times, which is tied for first in the AFL.