20 Comments

WTM: In the previous topic I listed the OPS numbers since the All Star Break and Triolo's was .785. Yes, he started the season with a "unique" new stance, but for the record his numbers started to get better in July, then 100 point OPS increase in Aug and almost another 100 point OPS increase in Sep - not purely just September numbers -

Mar/Apr - .554

May - .561

Jun - .549

Jul - .622

Aug - .731

Sep - .827

I think his numbers started to increase as he changed his stance, and began to play more regularly. Pretty special numbers on Defense as well - .983 fld %age in 460 innings at 3B, and .995 fld %age in 374 innings at 2B. He's a ballplayer, and I think he is starting to feel his way with some additional power as well. Also like the twin 42's also - 42 RBI, 42 BB.

Expand full comment

I think Yorke has to play some SS to be a viable bench bat /UTL player in their minds.

And same with Triolo. He’s an up and down bench bat without the Pirates allowing him to get at least some time at SS. Mainly cause a MLB 3B/2B bench bat kind of has to hit and the Pirates need a player to be able to backup SS for IK-F off the bench too. And I think they will lean towards Alika next year because of that.

Right now, I would imagine they start MLB/AAA rosters something like this:

SS-IK-F

DH-Cutch

LF-Reynolds

1B-UFA(hopefully Santander)

CF-Oneil

C-Bart

2B-NickG

RF-HankDavis

3B-KeHayes

BN - Endy, Joe, Alika, Cook

AAA

CF-Bae

SS-Yorke

LF-Suwinski

1B-Nunez/Beer(both need resigned/are MiLB UFA’s)

2B-Peggy

3B-Triolo

RF-Gorski

DH-Palacios

C-Delay

BN - Bins, Fraizer, Olivares, Alvarez, Jarvis

Expand full comment
author
Sep 16Author

It might be real. He’s always needed time to adjust at each level. I’m just reluctant to take a guy who’s going on 27 with over 600 ML plate appearances and conclude only the last 100 or so are the real guy.

Expand full comment

I know nothing about this *unique new stance*

I do know he was getting regular ABs early on as the starting 2bmen.

Expand full comment

I agree with WTM observation on Triolo, while being optimistic on a very noticeable adjustment to his swing. Triolo had a standing load previously (hands went straight into his swing with no recoil). Now he's starting with his hands lower he pulls back before releasing his hands. This should in theory help with his timing and power output. Hopefully he can continue to progress but expecting a drastic improvement on a little over a month probably isn't wise. He has always hit better at the end of the season when healthy.

Expand full comment

If memory serves, he started out real slow with Altoona and finished really strong.

Expand full comment

Same in Greensboro as well.

Expand full comment
author
Sep 16Author

Edward Florentino got a nice writeup at BA as a DSL player to watch.

Expand full comment

I don’t know why any site isn’t on Cristian Jauregui. I think Florentino’s power and size gets him noticed but Jauregui is probably the better all around player. Plays CF, can run, seems to be able to hit with some thump too.

I’m also intrigued by Isaias Dipre. And I know the age but 1.000 plus OPS anywhere for any age should make you take notice.

And he’s a lock to come stateside next season. Or be released, I guess? The DSL is no place for a 21 year old(turning 22) so unless they release him we will definitely see him the Complex next season.

I think Florentino and Jauregui should also be locks to come stateside though. But recently the Pirates have being promoting from DSL to Complex more on tools and scouting reports over production, so who knows? They could promote Brazoban and Mola too but most likely I think Brazoban spends another year in the DSL. We might see Mola stateside though cause he seemed a little more advanced.

Expand full comment

Yorke to play 1B? Depending on where they see Cook

Expand full comment

How's he in left?

Bryan's on his way to earning himself a first base mitt.

Expand full comment

Plus speed and that arm? Somehow i can see us moving our top two bats to new positions and see a defensive improvement with cruz in center, brey at 1b, cook in left... I guess idk where that puts cook but one of the bats has to separate themselves i hope

Expand full comment

I don't expect Cook to be causing much consternation.

Expand full comment

As the self appointed president of his fan club, I wont stand for this slander!

Expand full comment
Sep 16·edited Sep 16

I don't either but I'm glad they're giving him a chance in CF (at least tonight). I still think he can be a good 4th or 5th outfielder if he shows he can handle center. Hopefully him and Yorke can get 40 to 60 mlb at bats the remainder of the season. Knowing the pirates it'll be at the cost of Gonzales's at bats, which sucks. Triolo is the other player that needs all the at bats they can get.

Cruz needs all the time he can get in center as well, when not injured.

Expand full comment

$7.5 million salary for IKF in 2025 is so much money that could have just been Triolo doing the same thing

Expand full comment

Triolo had an OPS of .549 when they made the trade and since then has an OPS of .803. Helps explain their thinking and also why they may now look to move IKF in the offseason.

Expand full comment

which prospect do you want to include in that trade so the other team takes on IKF´s salary?

Expand full comment

Reese McGuire

Expand full comment