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Pirates rising star pitcher Anthony Solometo makes history, being the youngest player ever in Double AA, is this a sign of a new trend?

By Cadeyn McCrory on April 24, 2024

Altoona, PA — 21-year-old starting pitcher Anthony Solometo came into the 2023 season just looking to make strides in his game. A year later he made history becoming the youngest player to make a Double AA opening day lineup. 

Solometo made the jump to Double AA Altoona last season on June 17, 2023, after dominating High-A Greensboro. Many organizations take their time with young rising stars, especially pitchers, but the Pirates felt Solometo was ready. The then 20-year-old came in and threw 51.2 innings across 12 games for the Curve, almost leading them to a playoff berth. He returned to Altoona for the 2024 season, which was not a surprise to him, but the news of his new record was.

BSB Writes writer and Altoona Curve season ticket holder Jay Staph has watched Solometo’s progress on and off the field since his June promotion and has been pleased with the results. 

“He's ahead of the competition in almost every way. I've often seen him dominate hitters who are way older than him already," Staph stated. 

The biggest question for teams when they have to decide to promote their young prospects is how this will affect the player in the long term and if the success and health of the player stay intact. One team in a similar boat is the Baltimore Orioles.

High-A Aberdeen IronBirds broadcaster Michael Marcantonini experienced then-19-year-old former first overall pick Jackson Holliday for the first half of the 2023 season. Holliday is the son of former Major League Baseball outfielder Matt Holliday and just recently made his MLB debut on April 10, 2024. At only twenty years old, many eyes started to wonder if this was the new norm. 

“The guys that move quickly through the minor leagues these days are guys with legitimate star potential that have multiple tools that can help an MLB team win games,” Marcantonini explains.  “I think organizations are willing to bet on their young stars figuring it out in the big leagues and finishing their development at the highest level, instead of keeping them down in the minors for more seasoning.”

Not all players grow up with former MLB all-stars as dads and know what a big league locker room and environment are like, but players like Solometo know what it takes to achieve a lifelong goal.

For lifelong Pittsburgh Pirates fan Ben Majcher, is just happy to know his favorite team is making strides and history with their young talent. He recognizes the difference between rushing a player and realizing when they are ready.

“I’m glad to see players so young getting a chance at higher levels. The Pirates aren’t rushing their prospects even though they are moving quickly,” Majcher exclaims.

One big reason why these young stars continue to come up quicker and quicker is from a new rule implemented before the 2023 season. The rule, Prospect Promotion Incentives (PPI), states that players eligible for Rookie of the Year votes and wins will earn their team an extra draft pick the following season. 

“The possibility of earning a compensation draft pick incentives organizations to bring prospects up quicker too. It also varies by organization and what the state of a franchise is, whether a team is a contender or in a rebuilding/retooling phase, and what their short-term and long-term positional needs are,” Marcantonini explains. 

Another reason that goes hand in hand with PPI is how fast the development and scouting of these players have changed over the last ten years or so. 

“When it comes to younger players in baseball, the skill level of these players is something we've never seen before.” Staph continued, “10 years ago, someone who could regularly throw 95+ in the majors was unheard of, but in today's game, we can see that in high school. I think this is sustainable, especially since players are being scouted younger than ever before.” 

With the ever-changing game ahead, players must be aware that their time could be coming sooner than they ever expected. Teammates of Solometo just last season have already made their debuts but that does not worry Anthony in the slightest.

Five Fast Facts about Anthony Solometo

He is the youngest player in Double-AA history to ever make an opening night roster at 21 years, 4 months, and 3 days old. 

Anthony was originally committed to the University of North Carolina but had zero intention of actually going to school. It was playing professional baseball or nothing!

His first “big boy” purchase from his 2.8 million dollar signing bonus was a car.

In his senior year of high school, it took 17 ⅓ innings to let up his first hit and run. 

In only his third start of affiliated ball in 2022, he was involved in a no-hitter along with four other teammates.

Behind The Scenes of this story:

Anthony Solometo became the youngest player in Double-AA history to make an opening night roster. We talked to Ben Majcher of the Purbalite and Jay Staph of BSB Writes to see if this may become a new common theme in minor league baseball. Aberdeen IronBirds Reporter Michael Marcantonini also gave his thoughts on other top prospects such as Jackson Holliday and what makes these prospects unique. 

Story 4: 

Facebook Post:

Dive into the journey of Anthony Solometo, the youngest player to make a Double AA opening day lineup. From dominating performances to making history, Solometo's rise in the baseball world is one to follow closely. Will others follow suit/ Read more about his inspiring story below! 

Tweet 1:

Meet Anthony Solometo, the youngest player to crack a Double AA opening-day lineup. His journey from High-A dominance to Double AA success is a testament to his talent and determination. 

Tweet 2:

Anthony Solometo's rapid rise in Double AA has baseball fans buzzing. At just 21, he's making history and turning heads with his dominant performances, is this the new norm?

Tweet 3:

Anthony Solometo's journey from High-A standout to Double AA record-breaker is one for the books. With talent, determination, and a bright future ahead, he's a name to remember in baseball's evolving landscape. Will this change the minor league landscape forever?

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Five Facts about Anthony Solometo

By: Cadeyn McCrory

One of the hottest names in all of Minor League Baseball is Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed starting pitcher Anthony Solometo. Check out these interesting facts about baseball's newest star. 

He is the youngest player in Double-AA history to ever make an opening night roster at 21 years, 4 months, and 3 days old. 

Anthony was originally committed to the University of North Carolina but had zero intention of actually going to school. It was playing professional baseball or nothing!

His first “big boy” purchase from his 2.8 million dollar signing bonus was a car.

In his senior year of high school, it took 17 ⅓ innings to let up his first hit and run. 

In only his third start of affiliated ball in 2022, he was involved in a no-hitter along with four other teammates. 

Source https://open.spotify.com/episode/3WwRoZQYQbLDxQDJwtMIEO

Behind The Scenes of this story:

Five quick facts about Anthony Solometo help the reader better learn about one of their top prospects conducted through my baseball podcast interview.

Story 3: 

Facebook Post:

Discover five fascinating facts about the rising star and Pittsburgh Pirates' left-handed pitcher. From record-breaking achievements to memorable moments, Anthony Solometo is making waves in Minor League Baseball! Read more below. 

Tweet 1:

Anthony Solometo, the youngest player in Double-AA history to make an opening night roster, is turning heads in Minor League Baseball. Dive into five intriguing facts about this rising star! 

Tweet 2:

Get to know Anthony Solometo, the Pittsburgh Pirates' left-handed pitcher with a knack for breaking records and making history. Explore five captivating facts about this exciting talent! 

Tweet 3:

Dive into the world of Anthony Solometo, the young phenom making waves in Minor League Baseball. From no-hitters to record-setting achievements, learn more about this rising star! 

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Pirates starting pitching battle heats up with only three weeks to go

By Cadeyn McCrory on March 6, 2024

BRADENTON, FL — The Pittsburgh Pirates have two open spots in their rotation this season and 12 different players fighting for this open chance from ten-year veterans to experienced rookies. Two of these players include twenty-one-year-old top prospects Anthony Solometo and Bubba Chandler, who cracked the big league training camp roster in only their third professional season. Though the chances are slim for either player to crack the roster come April, the experience they get from learning from big league coaches is second to none. “It’s been a really amazing experience, and just from watching the other guys doing their routines shows me what I need to do to be successful and sustain a career in the big leagues,” Solometo said. 

Anthony Solometo throws a live batting practice in minor league spring training 2023.  Photo credit: Alarmy Stock Photo

As for the main candidates, it is between former top prospects Quinn Priester and Roansy Contreras, up-and-coming pitchers Luis Ortiz and Bailey Falter, veteran additions Wily Peralta, Josh Fleming, Chase Anderson, and Brett Honeywell, and two other current to prospects Paul Skenes and Jared Jones. Skenes and Jones have both excelled to start the spring and could have a shot at cracking the roster if no one steps to the plate. 

Pirates season ticket holder, BSB Writes and The Purbalite reporter Ben Majcher has seen many of these guys perform live in the big leagues or the minor leagues throughout his years around the game. He favors guys like Luis Ortiz due to his softball contact and his consistent play might give him an edge.

Quinn Priester made his MLB Debut in 2023 and struggled to adapt quickly, but all hope is not lost for the once-promising pitcher. “Quinn is hard to tell at the moment. He’s still really young and struggled last year. I feel like if he spends a few months in Indy, he will be ready when his time comes.” Majcher explained. 

Roansy Contreras cannot be sent to the minor leagues without waivers, with a chance for any team to claim him. The Pirates will have to make a tough decision on a once top prospect who spent almost all of last year in the minor leagues in Contreras. Wily Peralta is 34 years old and spent most of last season in the bullpen but struggled. “Wily and Roansy both have something to prove,” Majcher stated. 

Brett Honeywell, Bailey Falter, Josh Fleming, and Chase Anderson have all pitched countless innings at the major league level and all could provide quality innings. Seemingly it is a battle of who they want to fit the timeline but a lot of these candidates are all the same. “Mitch Keller, Martin Perez, Marco Gonzalez, Josh Fleming, and Luis Ortiz are my picks for the starting five pitchers.” Majcher continued, “I feel like some of the spring training invitees can sneak in as the five spot like Peralta or Honeywell but I think Ortiz has proved that he can be that guy. I think Fleming because he has been in the majors for a good bit was decent for the Rays and Ortiz was a consistent starter for the Pirates last year.” 

In the end, all of these pitchers have potential and the Pittsburgh Pirates seem destined for a better 2024 with this new crop of pitchers. “Guys are working hard pushing each other and pitching great off the slope so it’s going to be an exciting year!” Solometo explained.

Behind The Scenes of this story:

As Spring Training began, many Pittsburgh Pirate fans were interested in the starting pitching battle between more than a dozen players. Boots on the ground Anthony Solometo gave his first-hand thoughts on each pitcher as well as Purbalite reporter Ben Majcher who has watched and covered most of these pitchers. 

Story 2: 

Facebook Post:

The Pittsburgh Pirates' rotation battle is heating up with 12 players vying for two spots. Young prospects Anthony Solometo and Bubba Chandler are in the mix, gaining invaluable experience from the big league camp. Who will earn those coveted spots?

Tweet 1:

The @Pirates' rotation race is on fire! 12 players, 2 spots. Will top prospects Solometo and Chandler seize the opportunity? Who is fighting for these spots?

Tweet 2:

The battle for @Pirates' rotation spots is fierce. Experience meets talent as veterans and rookies clash for a chance in the big leagues. 

Tweet 3:

With two spots up for grabs, @Pirates' rotation is a hot topic. Who will make the cut? Follow the journey of Solometo, Chandler, and other contenders as they chase their MLB dreams! 

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Anthony Solometo, earns Spring Training invite with Pittsburgh Pirates

By Cadeyn McCrory on February 21, 2024

PITTSBURGH, PA — A 21-year-old southpaw from Vorhees, NJ, is one of the youngest prospects at the Pittsburgh Pirates' camp. Anthony Solometo ranked as the fifth overall left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, played for the Double-A Altoona Curve last season. The funky left-handed pitcher made it up to Double-AA Altoona in his 2nd (second) affiliated season. He has now found himself as the 5th-ranked left-handed pitcher and 82nd-ranked prospect across all of Major League Baseball. 

Fresh off a development camp in Bradenton, Florida, he learned the news in person. “They told me that I’ve been slacking and that we need to have a meeting so I went in and they asked if I had a hot date and was busy on Valentine’s Day,” Solometo said. “I said no I’m available and Hop (Josh Hopper, Pirates Pitching Development Coach), said good because you're going to have to be at big league camp.”

Solometo will be the youngest pitcher at the Pirates major league camp and second youngest only to Infielder Termarr Johnson, age 19. Despite his age, Solometo has shown he's wise beyond his years and now analysts project him to make his MLB debut at some point this season.

With a bit of uncertainty in the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation going into 2024, guys like Solometo have a shot to make the big league roster or a chance at it throughout the season. “The confidence the team has shown (is there) but I’m not on the (big league) club yet which means I haven’t opened their eyes fully and proved to myself that I’m ready for it (a spot on the big league),” he confidently replied. “That just continues to feed the machine and drives me to be the best I possibly can. Earn my spot and my attention and my rank in the organization’s eyes.”

Not only has he exceeded expectations on the field but off the field he has proven to be able to handle the fame and pressure of the hype. “I've gotten to see how truly incredible of a person he is as a whole,” BSB Writes writer Jay Staph told me. “He's someone you can joke around with, be serious with, and just overall chill and have a good time with. He's so deserving of everything that's coming his way. His work ethic, amazing personality, and more have proved him deserving of all of the recognition, and the eventual opportunity to pitch in the MLB.”

Staph has seen firsthand in Altoona, Pennsylvania, for the majority of last season what Solometo has brought to the table. His raw pitch ability, his elite ability to control the location of his fastball, and his slider and changeup mixups in his sequences are his major strengths. “From what I've seen, he's genuinely one of the more impressive lefties in all of minor-league baseball,” Staph emphasized. “He's not afraid to attack hitters and control the zone. It's especially impressive considering his control, slider, and more have gotten some of the best individual grades from many publications. Solo's sheer ability to control counts and attack hitters will be a huge quality at the next level, as fear is one of the main things rookies struggle with within the MLB right away. With his raw stuff on top of that, it's a dangerous combination.”

As Solometo competes for a spot in this year's and future years rotation with top prospects such as Paul Skenes (number 1 prospect), Jared Jones (number 3 prospect), Bubba Chandler (number 5 prospect), amongst many others, his ideology does not change on one simple goal he has said he was a kid. 

“I just couldn’t believe the start of this opportunity for me to achieve my lifelong dream has now officially started in a way and I’m just so beyond thankful,” Solometo stated. “I want to be the guy.” 

Behind The Scenes of this story:

The story of Anthony Solometo is one that intrigued many Pittsburgh Pirate fans and this story hopes to learn about the player and his experiences. BSB Writes Writer Jay Staph helped largely in this story through his evaluations last season in Altoona along with the personal insight of Anthony.

Story 1: Facebook Post:

Meet Anthony Solometo, the rising star from Vorhees, NJ, making waves at the Pittsburgh Pirates' camp. At just 21, Solometo is already ranked among the top left-handed pitchers in MLB and has his sights set on a major league debut this season. His talent, work ethic, and humble demeanor have captured the hearts of fans and analysts alike. Read more about his journey and aspirations below! 

Tweet 1:

Anthony Solometo, the 21-year-old southpaw sensation, is turning heads at the @Pirates' camp. Ranked 5th among left-handed pitchers in MLB, he's poised for a major league debut this season. 

Tweet 2:

Meet Anthony Solometo, the 21-year-old pitching prodigy from NJ. With a stellar record in Double-A, he's set to shine at the @Pirates' major league camp. 

Tweet 3:

Anthony Solometo, the youngest pitcher at @Pirates' camp, is living his dream. From NJ to the big leagues, he's on a mission to be the best. 

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Biography

Cadeyn is a student at Robert Morris University School of News and Sports Communications. He has previously completed an internship with the Pittsburgh Penguins Radio Network. He now helps run and write the BSBWrites website and podcast, commentates sporting events for RMU Campus Rec along with writing articles and filming podcasts for their website and YouTube Channel. Cadeyn is a proud native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he likes to be at sporting events and around family and friends.

Contact details: crmst783@mail.rmu.edu Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Language: English   Area of expertise: sports, personal profiles