FG has the ZIPS top 100 up. ZIPS loves Termarr, or at least has him as our top prospect at 36. The only other Pirate in the top 100 is Bubba at 39. In terms of raw numbers, we're fine in the top 50, don't look good in the top 100, look pretty good in the top 200 (8, but they don't list who the other 6 are), and pretty meh in the top 500 (14 with the fewest being 10 and the most being 24).
Most interesting is the look back at the ZIPS top 100 from 2015 and how many WAR each has put up since then. We had 8 prospects in the top 100: Taillon (17.6 WAR), Glasnow (13.7), Bell (9.6), Meadows (6.0), McGuire (4.4), Herrera(0.3), Kingham (-0.5), and Hanson (-0.6). Times were good back in 2015.
Last year Termarr was even higher at 25 and Skenes was only ranked 30th (in ZIPS defense that was based on <7 innings of professional baseball). And, to tie it into this article, Solo was 50th. Other Pirates from a year ago were Kennedy, Chandler, and Harrington.
It’s all on whether these guys hit, imo. If Endy and Davis show signs of adjusting to ML pitching, I don’t see why they can’t have a grand C/1B/occasional DH rotation. Except the team seems determined not to try any C at 1B. Dunno why. It’s not like they’d be blocking Freddie Freeman.
If one or both doesn’t hit, it’s Bart and somebody at C.
I'm torn on the assumption that seems to becoming viral that everybody can play first. Hank looked very non-athletic in the outfield. Endy is very athletic, but these same assumptions are being made about other players as well. I am warming up to them just focusing on who will be the short side platoon (which could be a catcher) and the big side of platoon should be filled by the short side and a very short list of who will be the 3rd string first basemen when Horwitz returns. Net: Find short side and 3rd stringer and let others focus on their originally planned positions. Regarding 3 catchers - like WTM said... when all 3 (really 2) show they can hit, then we have a good problem and alternate positions can be more fully explored... but to me proving they can hit is NOT a spring training thing it is a regular season vs. MLB pitching thing
Excellent point in your first sentence that the consensus seems to be that almost anybody can play First Base. That's just not the case in MLB. Horwitz has played 1B, 2B, and OF. Endy has played C and 1B. Triolo and Cook both played 1B for the Pirates last year, and Cook played 42 games at 1B for the AAA Norfolk Tides last year when he was with B'more.
And to follow up, I guess I see a lot of proposals trying to solve what may be an April problem only so I hope they focus on realistic options not moving somebody off position (never played 1B) for 30 days to possibly basically never return if Horwitz does what he was obtained to do. That's part of my concern with Endy and Hank although I don't doubt one bit Endy can handle the position. Both at the MLB level have a lot to prove at the bat and may do so, but for now I just don't want to over depend on them when IMO there may be other options for April. If they hit as the season progresses... great ... then look at defensive options to get them in the lineup.
I agree and what I probably meant more was it is not the ST stats but how the true evaluators really feel about how the player looks. ST is such a crap shoot on who you face, what even the top pitchers may be trying to accomplish on that day, or huge gusts coming in or out. Stating the obvious, yes if a player looks lost ST counts a lot but box scores not so much.
Not a bad idea. A few things holding that back. If Davis's doesn't hit this spring, I see close to no chance he makes the big club. After Endy missing last year, they haven't said he would be in the majors yet either. Bart has never played first yet and I don't think they are going to try him there until they are more certain on Endy and mostly Henry.
AS has a good chance to be a serviceable back of the rotation arm if he can get his velocity up a couple ticks.
My biggest concern for him though is he may be tipping his pitches with his long delivery. Pitcher’s biggest weapon is deception, and he may not be maximizing his because of his wind up.
Just my thinking. I am certainly not a doctor but it seems to me that Horwitz's injury could be chronic like Hayes' back. Since the wrist is so important for good success at the plate, could it be that we have a mediocre player with chronic wrist problems? Can this injury be fully cured or healed enough for Horwitz to be a mid order presence? If not, and if Cherington knew about his injury at the time of the trade (which he did), then if Nuttin' had quinones he should fire him immediately. The very poor offseason and buying broken goods on the one trade that you made should spell the end of Cherington. Why wait until the end of the season? I know, just a pipe dream.
The surgeon said that the operation went very smoothly and that the prognosis for recovery is excellent. Of course, surgeons often say this of their own handiwork, but that is the only knowledgeable opinion and statement on that matter at this point, so we have to assume, at this point, that he will be fine by May or so. By medical ethics, if something had gone very wrong in surgery, he would have to disclose that to the patient and to payment providers (though not to you, me... the public... HIPPA).
The injury requiring surgery was new and considered minor. It's been reported by various media outlets. From DKPS, the organization sees H as a platoon player. My question: Who will be his platoon partner?
FG has the ZIPS top 100 up. ZIPS loves Termarr, or at least has him as our top prospect at 36. The only other Pirate in the top 100 is Bubba at 39. In terms of raw numbers, we're fine in the top 50, don't look good in the top 100, look pretty good in the top 200 (8, but they don't list who the other 6 are), and pretty meh in the top 500 (14 with the fewest being 10 and the most being 24).
Most interesting is the look back at the ZIPS top 100 from 2015 and how many WAR each has put up since then. We had 8 prospects in the top 100: Taillon (17.6 WAR), Glasnow (13.7), Bell (9.6), Meadows (6.0), McGuire (4.4), Herrera(0.3), Kingham (-0.5), and Hanson (-0.6). Times were good back in 2015.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/zips-2025-top-100-prospects/
Last year Termarr was even higher at 25 and Skenes was only ranked 30th (in ZIPS defense that was based on <7 innings of professional baseball). And, to tie it into this article, Solo was 50th. Other Pirates from a year ago were Kennedy, Chandler, and Harrington.
Has anyone mentioned Bart as the 1st baseman? And have Davis and Endy platoon?
It’s all on whether these guys hit, imo. If Endy and Davis show signs of adjusting to ML pitching, I don’t see why they can’t have a grand C/1B/occasional DH rotation. Except the team seems determined not to try any C at 1B. Dunno why. It’s not like they’d be blocking Freddie Freeman.
If one or both doesn’t hit, it’s Bart and somebody at C.
I'm torn on the assumption that seems to becoming viral that everybody can play first. Hank looked very non-athletic in the outfield. Endy is very athletic, but these same assumptions are being made about other players as well. I am warming up to them just focusing on who will be the short side platoon (which could be a catcher) and the big side of platoon should be filled by the short side and a very short list of who will be the 3rd string first basemen when Horwitz returns. Net: Find short side and 3rd stringer and let others focus on their originally planned positions. Regarding 3 catchers - like WTM said... when all 3 (really 2) show they can hit, then we have a good problem and alternate positions can be more fully explored... but to me proving they can hit is NOT a spring training thing it is a regular season vs. MLB pitching thing
Excellent point in your first sentence that the consensus seems to be that almost anybody can play First Base. That's just not the case in MLB. Horwitz has played 1B, 2B, and OF. Endy has played C and 1B. Triolo and Cook both played 1B for the Pirates last year, and Cook played 42 games at 1B for the AAA Norfolk Tides last year when he was with B'more.
And to follow up, I guess I see a lot of proposals trying to solve what may be an April problem only so I hope they focus on realistic options not moving somebody off position (never played 1B) for 30 days to possibly basically never return if Horwitz does what he was obtained to do. That's part of my concern with Endy and Hank although I don't doubt one bit Endy can handle the position. Both at the MLB level have a lot to prove at the bat and may do so, but for now I just don't want to over depend on them when IMO there may be other options for April. If they hit as the season progresses... great ... then look at defensive options to get them in the lineup.
Starts in ST, but yeah, they have to show it in-season. How they’re gonna juggle that, I dunno.
I agree and what I probably meant more was it is not the ST stats but how the true evaluators really feel about how the player looks. ST is such a crap shoot on who you face, what even the top pitchers may be trying to accomplish on that day, or huge gusts coming in or out. Stating the obvious, yes if a player looks lost ST counts a lot but box scores not so much.
Not a bad idea. A few things holding that back. If Davis's doesn't hit this spring, I see close to no chance he makes the big club. After Endy missing last year, they haven't said he would be in the majors yet either. Bart has never played first yet and I don't think they are going to try him there until they are more certain on Endy and mostly Henry.
I still would like to see what Baltimore would want for Heston Kjerstad. He can play 1st and OF.
AS has a good chance to be a serviceable back of the rotation arm if he can get his velocity up a couple ticks.
My biggest concern for him though is he may be tipping his pitches with his long delivery. Pitcher’s biggest weapon is deception, and he may not be maximizing his because of his wind up.
Not sure how the classic LOOGY is fairing with the new usage rules but Solo had that as his backstop, gotta be tough on lefties with that angle.
Even in a bad 2024, he held lh hitters to a .619 OPS. Rh hitters, not so good.
Mayza, Wentz and Borucki have major splits. Two of them are on the 40 man. The team must think they can make use of them.
Like the idea of a minor league bounce back candidates piece. Good job guys.
Just my thinking. I am certainly not a doctor but it seems to me that Horwitz's injury could be chronic like Hayes' back. Since the wrist is so important for good success at the plate, could it be that we have a mediocre player with chronic wrist problems? Can this injury be fully cured or healed enough for Horwitz to be a mid order presence? If not, and if Cherington knew about his injury at the time of the trade (which he did), then if Nuttin' had quinones he should fire him immediately. The very poor offseason and buying broken goods on the one trade that you made should spell the end of Cherington. Why wait until the end of the season? I know, just a pipe dream.
The surgeon said that the operation went very smoothly and that the prognosis for recovery is excellent. Of course, surgeons often say this of their own handiwork, but that is the only knowledgeable opinion and statement on that matter at this point, so we have to assume, at this point, that he will be fine by May or so. By medical ethics, if something had gone very wrong in surgery, he would have to disclose that to the patient and to payment providers (though not to you, me... the public... HIPPA).
Did you at least sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night????
My stat prediction of the day. The average age of the people that liked this is greater than the average of the people that didn't. I liked it.
I fell asleep in my chair in front of the TV. Does that count?
Wish I could heart this 50 times. Lol.
The injury requiring surgery was new and considered minor. It's been reported by various media outlets. From DKPS, the organization sees H as a platoon player. My question: Who will be his platoon partner?
Cook or Davis are my first thoughts with maybe Nunez and Brannigan pushing for it later in the season.