Is nearing the point when we have to start talking about Jebb. I’m curious to know more about what’s going on there. Doesn’t seem like a swing change, at least a drastic one, and last time he tried to impact the ball harder didn’t go well, maturing?
.449 actual wOBA against .345 expected, so plenty of fluff in the counting stats, and only a 106 mph max exit velo, which would be bottom 2-3% among big leaguers.
but he is running an 88 mph avg, which is actually really healthy.
You’d want to compare it to last year, when his approach was just, bloop the ball over SS. That last number may be all he needs, esp with speed, good SB ability and CF defense. He has 9 xbhs in 87 AAA PAs this year, vs 17 in 513 last year in AA, not to mention 4 HRs vs none.
The swing change in 2024 failed, but his K rate over the first two months — about when he changed back — was 26%, compared to 12% in 2025. He batted .200 those two months. Now he’s batting .351 in AAA with a K rate of 17%.
Of course, very SSS. Just wish he hadn’t missed so much time.
Barco had excellent whiff rates until this season. He was always a little bit wild but if fooled batters more than not, I'm surprised it's dropped so much this season. Batters have learned to wait for Barco to be over the plate and then they make him pay for it.
Off topic, any news on Termarr's knee injury? I'm guessing this eliminates the small chance of him needing Rule 5 protection
Barco has had a very uneven year, but Wietgrefe seems to have had more consistent success getting the same AAA hitters out. With Jones apparently hitting a wall after 80 innings pitched coming off surgery, Ashcraft getting into uncharted innings water and Mlodzinski still struggling the third time through a lineup, would it be a reasonable option for the Pirates to give Wietgrefe a start or two down the stretch? Will he need to be protected any way this offseason from the Rule 5 draft? Considering the Pirates playoff hopes are remote, why not alternate Barco and Wietgrefe in the rotation over the rest of the season? See what they can do. I think a very under the radar problem with the Pirates season is that they did not have a lefty in the rotation. Look how horrible the Pirates have fared when facing lefty starters. It’s not just the Pirates. Other teams can’t beat lefties either and the Pirates didn’t have that advantage, putting more pressure on the rest of the staff.
Is nearing the point when we have to start talking about Jebb. I’m curious to know more about what’s going on there. Doesn’t seem like a swing change, at least a drastic one, and last time he tried to impact the ball harder didn’t go well, maturing?
.449 actual wOBA against .345 expected, so plenty of fluff in the counting stats, and only a 106 mph max exit velo, which would be bottom 2-3% among big leaguers.
but he is running an 88 mph avg, which is actually really healthy.
i'm skeptical, but he's striking the ball well.
What’s his line drive percentage? 88 mph plus a healthy line drive percentage might be his ticket.
29% and a 44% hard hit rate, both of which would be elite, which again is where my skepticism comes in.
Let’s see how long he can sustain it.
You’d want to compare it to last year, when his approach was just, bloop the ball over SS. That last number may be all he needs, esp with speed, good SB ability and CF defense. He has 9 xbhs in 87 AAA PAs this year, vs 17 in 513 last year in AA, not to mention 4 HRs vs none.
The swing change in 2024 failed, but his K rate over the first two months — about when he changed back — was 26%, compared to 12% in 2025. He batted .200 those two months. Now he’s batting .351 in AAA with a K rate of 17%.
Of course, very SSS. Just wish he hadn’t missed so much time.
well said.
For some, escaping Altoona is liberating. That is all it takes.
Only kidding. Ok, not completely kidding. :)
Barco had excellent whiff rates until this season. He was always a little bit wild but if fooled batters more than not, I'm surprised it's dropped so much this season. Batters have learned to wait for Barco to be over the plate and then they make him pay for it.
Off topic, any news on Termarr's knee injury? I'm guessing this eliminates the small chance of him needing Rule 5 protection
Barco has had a very uneven year, but Wietgrefe seems to have had more consistent success getting the same AAA hitters out. With Jones apparently hitting a wall after 80 innings pitched coming off surgery, Ashcraft getting into uncharted innings water and Mlodzinski still struggling the third time through a lineup, would it be a reasonable option for the Pirates to give Wietgrefe a start or two down the stretch? Will he need to be protected any way this offseason from the Rule 5 draft? Considering the Pirates playoff hopes are remote, why not alternate Barco and Wietgrefe in the rotation over the rest of the season? See what they can do. I think a very under the radar problem with the Pirates season is that they did not have a lefty in the rotation. Look how horrible the Pirates have fared when facing lefty starters. It’s not just the Pirates. Other teams can’t beat lefties either and the Pirates didn’t have that advantage, putting more pressure on the rest of the staff.
Nicely put David. Good job!