By John Toth
Photo Credit- The LA Times
August 20, 2023
It is that time of the week when Draft 412 summarizes the past seven days of worthy news nuggets that you may have missed. Let us catch you up here:
LA Angels First to the Show Again
The Los Angeles Angels called up 2023 first round draft pick Nolan Schanuel after only 21 minor league games. This should not come as a shock to the baseball world considering this is the third year in a row that the Angels #1 draft pick made it to the show in their drafted season. In 2022 infielder Zach Neto was called up after only 201 plate appearances in the minors and in 2021 pitcher Chase Silseth got the call up after only 88.1 innings pitched.
Ex-Pirates Outfielder Alex Cole Passes Away at 58
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost a member of their family this past week. Though he only played one season (1992) outfielder Alex Cole played a key role in the Pirates playoff run. He was traded to Pittsburgh on July 4, 1992 for minor leaguer Tony Mitchell. He played in 64 games for the Pirates and hit .278 while being used as their 4th outfielder and a late game pinch runner. He was 2-10 in the playoffs for Pittsburgh in 1992. He was selected the following season by the Colorado Rockies in the expansion draft.
Paul Skenes Update
Skenes has now started three games in the minors and has pitched four innings. He has given up one hit and has struck out five in those three starts. He went 2 innings in his last start and it appears the Pirates may be adding to his workload as the season goes on.
Steelers First Team Offense
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had the ball 3 times during the 2023 exhibition season and have scored a touchdown on all 3. In week one against Tampa Bay, Kenny Pickett completed 6-7 for 70 yards and finished the drive by hitting George Pickens for a 33-yard touchdown. In week 2 the offense showed its versatility by scoring on their only 2 drives against the Buffalo Bills. On the first drive Jaylen Warren took a handoff and went 62 yards for a touchdown to complete a 6-play 86 yard drive that only took 2:37. After Calvin Austin returned a punt 54 yards to set up Pittsburgh at the Bills 25 yard line, Pickett hit Pat Freiermuth over the middle for 25 yards on their one and only play to score again. The final exhibition game is this Thursday in Atlanta.
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