WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2009
DSL:  161/255/218, 87 AB, 2 2B, 1 HR, 7 BB, 14 K, 4-6 SB

Fortunato got into 29 games after signing in June.  He played mostly left and struggled at the plate.  He had seven outfield assists in just 27 games.

2010
DSL:  209/287/277, 220 AB, 6 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 19 BB, 48 K, 22-26 SB

Fortunato was the regular in center, but hit very little.  He did very well on the bases and had 13 assists in 67 outfield games.

2011
DSL:  324/409/491, 244 AB, 10 2B, 5 3B, 7 HR, 30 BB, 49 K, 34-45 SB

In his third year, Fortunato was one of the top hitters in the DSL.  The only negative was a somewhat high K rate.

2012
A-:  429/467/643, 14 AB, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 BB, 1 K, 1-1 SB

The Pirates often will skip Latin American players who are a little older than ideal when they first reach the US over the GCL.  They did that with Fortunato and he got off to a good start at State College, but got hurt after four games and missed the rest of the season.

Fortunato was healthy in camp and will open 2013 at West Virginia.  He’ll probably play mostly in the outfield corners, as Barrett Barnes should eventually be the center fielder, although he was injured at the star of the season.  Fortunato’s history is such that it’s a little hard to know what to expect from him.