Bradenton, Fla. -- A couple of the Pirates' early 2016 draft picks, fifth-rounder Blake Cederlind and seventh-rounder Brent Gibbs, had their first pro seasons cut short by injuries. Cederlind, a right-handed pitcher, and Gibbs, a catcher, both were drafted out of junior college and went to Bristol after signing. Cederlind got into only 17.1 innings before forearm tightness ended his season. Gibbs was limited to 55 at-bats by a badly bruised wrist.
Both started for low A West Virginia in an exhibition game against the Yankees today at Pirate City and showed little sign of rust. Cederlind dominated through three innings, the only baserunner reaching on an error.