Here's an illustration of how little the Pirates' FO cares about offense --
They currently have four guys playing regularly who have an OPS well below .600, two just barely over .500. And that's omitting MAT, who's barely over .600 and dropping like a rock. Davis will undoubtedly go to AAA once Grandal is ready. They could easily replace Triolo with Gonzales and Tellez with Lamb. Suwinski would be harder to replace thanks to the FO's ineptitude in developing hitters, especially outfielders. (Bae's been on a tear since he moved to AAA, but it's a SSS.) But so far, nothing.
The Cubs just dfa'd Garrett Cooper, who has an OPS of .774. He's been in the majors for eight years and that's almost exactly his career number, so it's not a fluke, but they're obviously looking for something better. That OPS would place him 2nd on the Pirates after Connor Joe, if you don't count Williams and Bart, who've barely played. And, of course, the Pirates could claim Cooper if he gets to them.
This FO will happily put up with any level of incompetence at the plate. They just. Don't. Care.
Cooper would be a big upgrade over Tellez, and instead of being married to a platoon that just isn't working they could have an everyday first baseman. But where do you play Joe then? We have a poorly constructed roster. I love Cutch and am glad we have him, but having a RH DH-only player and also having Olivares and Joe limits options.
There are some players on the Pirates who are struggling at the plate. There are some guys at the AAA level of the Minor Leagues who are hitting well. But is that a fair comparison?
NG was promoted from AAA to MLB last year and was definitely not ready for the pitching at that level. Triolo was promoted to MLB and did very well with the bat and with the glove at the MLB level. NG went back to AAA and did very well at that level and was brought up for a few games late in the year with the Pirates. Then both went to ST and Triolo had an .883 OPS in ST and NG had a 726 OPS in ST. That's where comparisons should end because there is a MAJOR difference between AAA and MLB. Triolo is worth it for his defense at 3B last year, and is fielding .988 at 2B for the Pirates.
Tellez was a shaky sign and has been a bust at the MLB Level. When Grandal is ready, he replaces Tellez at 1B, and we keep Joey Bart and Davis for now.
Yes, of course, it’s just a few guys in slumps. The Pirates are, literally, 30th in MLB in runs since Cherington took over because a few guys were in little slumps.
Exactly how much proof do we need before we’re willing to conclude that this FO is wildly incompetent at anything related to hitting? Ten years of abject failure? 20? 30?
Tellez is quickly becoming my least favorite acquisition since, Operation Shutdown? His whole clubhouse leadership thing makes it worse. What's happened to lead by example?
Well.. the Pirates did their share of letting Milwaukee win too... an error on roly poly... 2 HBPs... throwing error on the pitcher. But... the Brewers giving away 2 outs on the bases (one with their best offensive player at bat), 1 via sacrifice bunt, and committing 2 errors definitely tried harder to lose than the Pirates. Unfortunately, the Pirates don't need to try as hard to lose as Milwaukee... me thinkgs.
The Brewers should have scored no runs. That last walk for Fleming was a strike him out throw him out that the ump called a ball. Should have been out of the inning but what happened after that is all on Ortiz. Still need to score more than 2 runs.
Dude says he gets the 4 count Chick-fil-A chicken strips, because he wants as much chicken as possible. I got news for him, I can more than double a four count. And I'm going large waffle fry and a frozen lemonade.
His BABIP is .186. He has been incredibly unlucky thus far. He is swinging at far more strikes than before, making very consistent contact, and hitting the ball pretty hard. It is going to turn around if he stays like this.
He is on a pace to cut his K rate exactly in half. His BB are down some, but not nearly as much as his K-rate. He is swinging at 1st pitch strikes and protecting the plate with 2 strikes. He is also not afraid to go the other way and is not waiting on the perfect pitch to pull any more. Basically, he took Haines' book and threw it in garbage about halfway through last season. This is one reason that he is having more success against left-handers (who just stayed away from him with breaking stuff before). I am still firmly of the opinion that he will have a very good season.
Yeah, April is way too early to judge a player when you already have a decent book on him. Everything about Suwinski says he's a good ballplayer who works to improve.
The Brewers have handed the Pirates 2 outs this inning with stupid game management. I will bet the Brewers' chatrooms are wall-to-wall wails for Council to come back right now.
Davis is not getting the calls that Contreras is getting. Poor framing or poor umpiring? In any case , I’ll enjoy baseball more when they go to robo umps.
Here's an illustration of how little the Pirates' FO cares about offense --
They currently have four guys playing regularly who have an OPS well below .600, two just barely over .500. And that's omitting MAT, who's barely over .600 and dropping like a rock. Davis will undoubtedly go to AAA once Grandal is ready. They could easily replace Triolo with Gonzales and Tellez with Lamb. Suwinski would be harder to replace thanks to the FO's ineptitude in developing hitters, especially outfielders. (Bae's been on a tear since he moved to AAA, but it's a SSS.) But so far, nothing.
The Cubs just dfa'd Garrett Cooper, who has an OPS of .774. He's been in the majors for eight years and that's almost exactly his career number, so it's not a fluke, but they're obviously looking for something better. That OPS would place him 2nd on the Pirates after Connor Joe, if you don't count Williams and Bart, who've barely played. And, of course, the Pirates could claim Cooper if he gets to them.
This FO will happily put up with any level of incompetence at the plate. They just. Don't. Care.
Cooper would be a big upgrade over Tellez, and instead of being married to a platoon that just isn't working they could have an everyday first baseman. But where do you play Joe then? We have a poorly constructed roster. I love Cutch and am glad we have him, but having a RH DH-only player and also having Olivares and Joe limits options.
There are some players on the Pirates who are struggling at the plate. There are some guys at the AAA level of the Minor Leagues who are hitting well. But is that a fair comparison?
NG was promoted from AAA to MLB last year and was definitely not ready for the pitching at that level. Triolo was promoted to MLB and did very well with the bat and with the glove at the MLB level. NG went back to AAA and did very well at that level and was brought up for a few games late in the year with the Pirates. Then both went to ST and Triolo had an .883 OPS in ST and NG had a 726 OPS in ST. That's where comparisons should end because there is a MAJOR difference between AAA and MLB. Triolo is worth it for his defense at 3B last year, and is fielding .988 at 2B for the Pirates.
Tellez was a shaky sign and has been a bust at the MLB Level. When Grandal is ready, he replaces Tellez at 1B, and we keep Joey Bart and Davis for now.
MAT is temporary at best.
Yes, of course, it’s just a few guys in slumps. The Pirates are, literally, 30th in MLB in runs since Cherington took over because a few guys were in little slumps.
Exactly how much proof do we need before we’re willing to conclude that this FO is wildly incompetent at anything related to hitting? Ten years of abject failure? 20? 30?
Tellez’ whole game is power. So . . . 77 PAs, 1 XBH, .044 ISO. Only on a Cherington team.
Tellez is quickly becoming my least favorite acquisition since, Operation Shutdown? His whole clubhouse leadership thing makes it worse. What's happened to lead by example?
that pop up in the 9th says all we need to know about his "power"
Can't say the Brewers didn't try to let the Pirates win this one.
Well.. the Pirates did their share of letting Milwaukee win too... an error on roly poly... 2 HBPs... throwing error on the pitcher. But... the Brewers giving away 2 outs on the bases (one with their best offensive player at bat), 1 via sacrifice bunt, and committing 2 errors definitely tried harder to lose than the Pirates. Unfortunately, the Pirates don't need to try as hard to lose as Milwaukee... me thinkgs.
The Brewers should have scored no runs. That last walk for Fleming was a strike him out throw him out that the ump called a ball. Should have been out of the inning but what happened after that is all on Ortiz. Still need to score more than 2 runs.
PAAAiii-YYYamps
The brewers getting payamps and contreras for estuary ruiz was a HUGE robbert
Robbery*
Rowdy flexing his warning track power….
Here's to hoping Murphy brings in Milner to face Tellez and Suwinski, so Cutch can PH for Tellez.
They learned from the first two games—take the automatic out.
Dude says he gets the 4 count Chick-fil-A chicken strips, because he wants as much chicken as possible. I got news for him, I can more than double a four count. And I'm going large waffle fry and a frozen lemonade.
Ro looked much better there.
He does show flashes thats for sure
Hoping jack is showing signs of life
Never judge an MLB player based on April.
His BABIP is .186. He has been incredibly unlucky thus far. He is swinging at far more strikes than before, making very consistent contact, and hitting the ball pretty hard. It is going to turn around if he stays like this.
Especially given Jack's baserunning speed and power, that .186 BABIP won't last. Just the noisiness of a small sample size.
He is on a pace to cut his K rate exactly in half. His BB are down some, but not nearly as much as his K-rate. He is swinging at 1st pitch strikes and protecting the plate with 2 strikes. He is also not afraid to go the other way and is not waiting on the perfect pitch to pull any more. Basically, he took Haines' book and threw it in garbage about halfway through last season. This is one reason that he is having more success against left-handers (who just stayed away from him with breaking stuff before). I am still firmly of the opinion that he will have a very good season.
Yeah, April is way too early to judge a player when you already have a decent book on him. Everything about Suwinski says he's a good ballplayer who works to improve.
Rowdy with a solid pop-up.
I swear someone in the FO took Moneyball a little too seriously.
Ro muddles his way thru. At least no runs allowed.
Reminded me of little league, well done tri and hank
Was thinking the same . Learned that play when I was seven
The Brewers have handed the Pirates 2 outs this inning with stupid game management. I will bet the Brewers' chatrooms are wall-to-wall wails for Council to come back right now.
Love watching ke field
Davis is not getting the calls that Contreras is getting. Poor framing or poor umpiring? In any case , I’ll enjoy baseball more when they go to robo umps.
This game is certainly not going to help Davis' defensive ratings.
Well done Jack
Helluva catch