OK, it's time to start paying attention to BRey's hitting streak. Things start getting real serious (for me) when you get to 20 games. Would be a lot of fun and quite the ride if he can keep it going to 30. June has always been a great month for him. Would be great to show the baseball world we have something other than Skenes too.
In fairness, every contender's fanbase died a little inside each year that the Pirates refused to trade him. There were **LOTS** of Yankees fans who were sure his postage was paid to ship him to them for a couple of years.
Also, give it time. I'm not sure that Nick Gonzales will outperform B-Rey, but it's a non-zero possibility. Then you're just one more dude away from B-Rey being in his natural spot. I wouldn't rule out Cruz. Odd bods take time to develop, and he has already fixed some of the batting eye and swing issues.
Would Shelton have been joking if it was, say, Gonzales or Triolo or Bae dogging it? Maybe, and I hope so.
This wasn't the first time Tellez has dogged it though. I like Tellez because his teammates seem to sincerely like him, but he doesn't appear to play the game the way a veteran leader should.
I even agree with Shelton that if Tellez runs it out he still only gets to second, lol. However it's 0-0 pitchers duel bottom seventh and if he's running it out the plays in front of him and if the leftfielder kicks or bobbles the ball he may get a chance to get to third where he can score on an error or a wild pitch/passed ball. Like you say though the optics suck for a veteran leader regardless of what eventually happened.
I don't give a crap about Shelton's wine fridge and until Shelton ever win's anything he should only be mentioned with guys like Tracy and McClendon and not in the same conversation as Danny Murtaugh.
Had to share this from the just-posted FG Pirates' prospect list, which has Matoma #14:
"Matoma was playing at the Dodgers’ academy in Uganda (which MLB has since shut down because it was virtually all unsigned players working out at a team facility) when he was signed out from under them by Pirates scout Tom Gillespie, who has been scouting in Africa for over a decade."
So you are saying that you threw your youngin out of the house?
JK!!! Still remember when my youngest moved out on her own about 4 years ago…. A good thing but you still miss them….. Hope she is not too far away. My oldest moved out to Texas. My girls are about an hour away in different directions.
She's about 30 minutes away, so not bad. My son and his family are 3 hours away but his career can put them just about anywhere in the country. That one can be tough.
It is tough. My son got his job while sill in school. He moved to Texas shortly after college graduation 10 years ago. We both said that he would get to Texas, meet someone there and never move back. It happened, lol! Glad your daughter is close and hope your son stays reasonably close. Seeing your kid in person only around 2 or 3 times a year is tough. Thank goodness for FaceTime!
Pirates win 1-0 on Say Hay Juneteenth behind strong pitching and a B.Rey homer. The Bucs are third in the NL Logjam, a half game out of the wild card picture and one game out of last place.
*
CARROTS ON THE HOUSE!!!!!
*
@>B.Rey for his game winning homer.
@>@> The Bullpen. Accepting will be Hodor and Bednar at 1 Carrot per inning of awesome.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel has a new mock draft up. He goes through two full rounds. He has the Pirates taking Tibbs at #9 even with Kurtz still on the board. He also has a 500-word essay on why he thinks the Guardians will go with Wetherholt at 1-1.
Possibly, but in my opinion Kurtz has more value both offensively and defensively than Tibbs. I think Kurtz could be a pretty good right fielder, he was recruited as a pitcher to Wake. I like Tibbs but he didn't get pitched around like Kurtz did either.
They would have to save a lot of pool space and take Blake Burke (who just crushed a homerun) with their 2nd round pick to satisfy me, if they took Tibbs over any of the top 6 position players in this draft. If the top 6 are off the board, I would like the Tibbs pick.
Has anyone in the industry even suggested Kurtz as an OF? I’ve read he’s a good 1B but not seen anything else regarding him as an OF. Assuming he’d be fine in OF is…a lot.
Last year during games they often mentioned that he was probably the best right fielder on the team and repeatedly mentioned being recruited as a pitcher, that was on broadcasts so it's with a grain of salt. Most of the services had him listed as a potential outfielder last year but consider him a plus defensive 1st basemen. He played some in right his freshman year, mainly fall ball, not sure if he did during the regular season. I'm pretty sure he was so good defensively at first and with his size he pretty much took the 1st base job as a freshman (again got this from broadcasts last year). I've seen him chase down some flies in foul territory that were above average but that's not the same as being in the outfield. I do know he is pretty athletic for a kid his size, quick laterally and can jump. Several scout still feel Tibbs is probably going to end up at first as well and he doesn't have the size of Kurtz.
If Kurtz is that good a RF, how come he played one OF game in 3 years? He sounds like a good 1B, for whatever that is worth.
I’ve no idea if Tibbs, who moved to the OF this year, is a keeper out there. But I haven’t seen anything to say he’s a butcher and needs to move back to first either.
I'm actually becoming a Gavin Kash fan. Phenomenal defensive 1B, and mashed in 2023. He caught my eye in yesterday's combine cause there were so many errant throws and I was like, "OK. Who is this dude scooping EVERYTHING?". Also probably athletic enough to try OF
I think we're now 10-10-4 in series. Being swept a couple of times (including by the A's!) is keeping us from .500 overall, but the series breakdown is looking good and we should improve from here if Skenes, Keller, and Jones stay healthy.
As far as hitting is concerned he's fine. He hasn't pitched since he was pulled early in his start. Haven't heard anything else but his velocity was in the low 90's and he was rubbing it then.
At some point, they're going to have to move some pieces from positions of strength to positions of weakness. I mean, there's no real value in having an organizational medium-term depth chart that has Hayes, Triolo, Brannigan, and McAdoo all at 3B, for example. For that matter, they're not that far from having more starting pitchers that they have rotation spots. With Jones, Keller, Falter, and Skenes all humming and healthy, you do have to at least consider moving some pieces.
The logic would be to consider trading some pitching depth for at least one OF who can actually hit and at least kinda field.
A risky move is on Nutting. To make a risky in-season move means Nutting has to be on board with spending on free agents in the off-season. An in-season risky moves means using prospects as trade capital. The off-season season moves must include covering for the players traded away for an in-season move. Di that happen after the Glasnow debacle? No. Moreover, any in-season move meant to get the team over the McClatchy Line and into the playoffs should be rejected as inadequate. The goal should be the World Series.
Sounds encouraging when you listen to some of what he had to say, but remember he prefaced the whole statement by saying they will have to change their entire philosophy to focus on winning and add to the roster.
@#&#&_!!! Work….was a payroll day and missed everything but…. Booyah!! #36 in the books and 88 to go! BRey comes through for the game winner. Mitchie the kid and friends combine for the 2 hit shutout and the series win! Rays up next. Mr. TBD is going to pitch for both teams I see to start that series.
Well, the advantage of the opener/spot starter thing is that, once a guy is on empty, you just reload with a different guy. If you can get a guy you know will be good game after game, sure, but how easy is that when you're not going to take on a contract?
Borucki will be nice. If Perez is healthy when he comes back, can use a righty/lefty mix to use depending on the opponent and still have a guy for innings in reserve in the pen so will be easier to keep the short guys fresh.
Am i crazy for thinking if we get one above average bat in the OF and get bart/lose grandall that might be enough? Ideally fix both cf and rf but even just the corner could be done for cheap and cf left to platoon doesnt hurt as much imo
You’re not getting Lou Bob unless you trade a potential star prospect for him. I’m not sure they have that in the system right now unless the Pale Hose love Termarr.
Chandler, Suwinski, Peggy, Stratton BTV says for Robert then we could trade Holderman for a 1B hoping Burrows and Ashcraft could head to the pen. Something like Holderman + Termarr for Coby Mayo and Dylan Beavers.
My issue with Jazz is his durability. Only one of his first three seasons he had 100 games played, although he’ll likely hit that mark this year. Thinking about this today, though, I’m more inclined to pull the trigger.
I don’t think Jack has much value to a team undergoing a rebuild like Miami. I’d sub out Jack and add something else to the deal.
Very true, they're lacking at least 2 in the starting lineup, a dependable lefty platoon for the outfield and a solid bench bat for pinch hitting. Are bench is pathetic, kinda makes me hope Palacios can get back to his last year form. I don't have any confidence in BC going out and getting 1, it's a fantasy to think he'll get 2 or 3.
OK, it's time to start paying attention to BRey's hitting streak. Things start getting real serious (for me) when you get to 20 games. Would be a lot of fun and quite the ride if he can keep it going to 30. June has always been a great month for him. Would be great to show the baseball world we have something other than Skenes too.
Imagine how dangerous this team would be even if it just had a sub-mediocre bottom of the order?
I had been thinking today "what if Reynolds was the team's 3rd best hitter like he ought to be in a contender's lineup?"
In fairness, every contender's fanbase died a little inside each year that the Pirates refused to trade him. There were **LOTS** of Yankees fans who were sure his postage was paid to ship him to them for a couple of years.
Also, give it time. I'm not sure that Nick Gonzales will outperform B-Rey, but it's a non-zero possibility. Then you're just one more dude away from B-Rey being in his natural spot. I wouldn't rule out Cruz. Odd bods take time to develop, and he has already fixed some of the batting eye and swing issues.
I'm glad Shelton's enjoying his managerial perks but I'm also glad Tellez dogging it didn't cost them.
This from the AP recap after the game:
Shelton joked afterward that the penalty for Tellez would be a new bottle of wine for the wine fridge Shelton recently had installed in his office.
“He got to second base,” Shelton said. "I don’t think Rowdy’s getting to third base really ever ... But, he knew he screwed up.”
Would Shelton have been joking if it was, say, Gonzales or Triolo or Bae dogging it? Maybe, and I hope so.
This wasn't the first time Tellez has dogged it though. I like Tellez because his teammates seem to sincerely like him, but he doesn't appear to play the game the way a veteran leader should.
I even agree with Shelton that if Tellez runs it out he still only gets to second, lol. However it's 0-0 pitchers duel bottom seventh and if he's running it out the plays in front of him and if the leftfielder kicks or bobbles the ball he may get a chance to get to third where he can score on an error or a wild pitch/passed ball. Like you say though the optics suck for a veteran leader regardless of what eventually happened.
Danny Murtaugh had a bucket with a couple of beers, I'm sure. He did OK.
I don't give a crap about Shelton's wine fridge and until Shelton ever win's anything he should only be mentioned with guys like Tracy and McClendon and not in the same conversation as Danny Murtaugh.
Had to share this from the just-posted FG Pirates' prospect list, which has Matoma #14:
"Matoma was playing at the Dodgers’ academy in Uganda (which MLB has since shut down because it was virtually all unsigned players working out at a team facility) when he was signed out from under them by Pirates scout Tom Gillespie, who has been scouting in Africa for over a decade."
Funny stuff. Kudos to Tom Gillespie.
Probably why they outbid the pirates on Hyun-Seok Jang last summer lol.
After the Pirates traded Austin Hedges for international money to sign him.
Yep
Doesn't letting teams sign players out from under them already seem like an appropriate punishment?
Scouting in Africa…was he looking for Nick Kurtz?
Late to the party, helping my daughter move out of the house. Love taking the series. Hoping BC finds us some hitting. Mitch Fucking Keller!!!!!
Congrats on the move, I hope!
Thanks. Yes! It was a good thing. 🙂
So you are saying that you threw your youngin out of the house?
JK!!! Still remember when my youngest moved out on her own about 4 years ago…. A good thing but you still miss them….. Hope she is not too far away. My oldest moved out to Texas. My girls are about an hour away in different directions.
She's about 30 minutes away, so not bad. My son and his family are 3 hours away but his career can put them just about anywhere in the country. That one can be tough.
It is tough. My son got his job while sill in school. He moved to Texas shortly after college graduation 10 years ago. We both said that he would get to Texas, meet someone there and never move back. It happened, lol! Glad your daughter is close and hope your son stays reasonably close. Seeing your kid in person only around 2 or 3 times a year is tough. Thank goodness for FaceTime!
Wednesday, June 19
36 down. 45 to go.
Pirates win 1-0 on Say Hay Juneteenth behind strong pitching and a B.Rey homer. The Bucs are third in the NL Logjam, a half game out of the wild card picture and one game out of last place.
*
CARROTS ON THE HOUSE!!!!!
*
@>B.Rey for his game winning homer.
@>@> The Bullpen. Accepting will be Hodor and Bednar at 1 Carrot per inning of awesome.
@>@>@> Pitch Keller for becoming a stud.
________________________________
“Gruesome, isn’t it?”
-Wabbit
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel has a new mock draft up. He goes through two full rounds. He has the Pirates taking Tibbs at #9 even with Kurtz still on the board. He also has a 500-word essay on why he thinks the Guardians will go with Wetherholt at 1-1.
Law had them taking Tibbs as well.
BA just had Wetherholt to the Guardians as well. I sure hope we wouldn't pass on Kurtz for Tibbs (and I like Tibbs a lot).
Wonder if Tibbs is an idea to go big on Carter Johnson, who he mocks as their second pick
Possibly, but in my opinion Kurtz has more value both offensively and defensively than Tibbs. I think Kurtz could be a pretty good right fielder, he was recruited as a pitcher to Wake. I like Tibbs but he didn't get pitched around like Kurtz did either.
They would have to save a lot of pool space and take Blake Burke (who just crushed a homerun) with their 2nd round pick to satisfy me, if they took Tibbs over any of the top 6 position players in this draft. If the top 6 are off the board, I would like the Tibbs pick.
Has anyone in the industry even suggested Kurtz as an OF? I’ve read he’s a good 1B but not seen anything else regarding him as an OF. Assuming he’d be fine in OF is…a lot.
Last year during games they often mentioned that he was probably the best right fielder on the team and repeatedly mentioned being recruited as a pitcher, that was on broadcasts so it's with a grain of salt. Most of the services had him listed as a potential outfielder last year but consider him a plus defensive 1st basemen. He played some in right his freshman year, mainly fall ball, not sure if he did during the regular season. I'm pretty sure he was so good defensively at first and with his size he pretty much took the 1st base job as a freshman (again got this from broadcasts last year). I've seen him chase down some flies in foul territory that were above average but that's not the same as being in the outfield. I do know he is pretty athletic for a kid his size, quick laterally and can jump. Several scout still feel Tibbs is probably going to end up at first as well and he doesn't have the size of Kurtz.
If Kurtz is that good a RF, how come he played one OF game in 3 years? He sounds like a good 1B, for whatever that is worth.
I’ve no idea if Tibbs, who moved to the OF this year, is a keeper out there. But I haven’t seen anything to say he’s a butcher and needs to move back to first either.
I’d honestly be fine with either pick.
I'm actually becoming a Gavin Kash fan. Phenomenal defensive 1B, and mashed in 2023. He caught my eye in yesterday's combine cause there were so many errant throws and I was like, "OK. Who is this dude scooping EVERYTHING?". Also probably athletic enough to try OF
And should be available after the 4th round. Good mid round guy. It surprised me that Texas Tech didn't do better this year.
And Carter Johnson sounds great, but I'm kind of really on Tyler Bell
Cherington does need to be clever at all times!
Yep, at our detriment!
36-38 feels much better than 35-39.
Let's get on a roll, build up some momentum and shock the world.
They're chipping away. Series wins add up over months.
I think we're now 10-10-4 in series. Being swept a couple of times (including by the A's!) is keeping us from .500 overall, but the series breakdown is looking good and we should improve from here if Skenes, Keller, and Jones stay healthy.
Would need the front office to wake up and the owner to have an epiphany.
I expect Nutting's epiphany would be: We're winning without spending excessively. Stan pat, Ben.
Unfortunately you're probably correct.
CWS, Fsu v Tenn just getting underway on ESPN. Tennessee is already up a couple.
Florida beat Kentucky in a losers bracket game earlier, Jac killed it again today 2 for 2 with a homerun, 3 runs and 3 walks.
so his elbow is ok?
As far as hitting is concerned he's fine. He hasn't pitched since he was pulled early in his start. Haven't heard anything else but his velocity was in the low 90's and he was rubbing it then.
Teams running on the fumes of their pitching staffs. About to be a 15-14 game
Especially with these two offenses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=5nxAUXrd7vY Smoltz says the Pirates are the most dangerous team but that they have to add.
At some point, they're going to have to move some pieces from positions of strength to positions of weakness. I mean, there's no real value in having an organizational medium-term depth chart that has Hayes, Triolo, Brannigan, and McAdoo all at 3B, for example. For that matter, they're not that far from having more starting pitchers that they have rotation spots. With Jones, Keller, Falter, and Skenes all humming and healthy, you do have to at least consider moving some pieces.
The logic would be to consider trading some pitching depth for at least one OF who can actually hit and at least kinda field.
Cherington's gravestone:
"He Needed to Add"
A risky move is on Nutting. To make a risky in-season move means Nutting has to be on board with spending on free agents in the off-season. An in-season risky moves means using prospects as trade capital. The off-season season moves must include covering for the players traded away for an in-season move. Di that happen after the Glasnow debacle? No. Moreover, any in-season move meant to get the team over the McClatchy Line and into the playoffs should be rejected as inadequate. The goal should be the World Series.
Like a jewelry store add Cherington's motto:
He went to the waiver wire.
Sounds encouraging when you listen to some of what he had to say, but remember he prefaced the whole statement by saying they will have to change their entire philosophy to focus on winning and add to the roster.
Amen to everything Smoltz said there.
If Jersey Shore loses tonight, half of Greensboro's roster should be on the next flight to Bowie. Or flight to the nearest airport and Uber to Bowie
@#&#&_!!! Work….was a payroll day and missed everything but…. Booyah!! #36 in the books and 88 to go! BRey comes through for the game winner. Mitchie the kid and friends combine for the 2 hit shutout and the series win! Rays up next. Mr. TBD is going to pitch for both teams I see to start that series.
TBD has actually been pretty good for the Bucs. I don't feel all that anxious to get Perez back. Borucki, otoh . . . .
How many bullets do you really think Fleming has left?
Well, the advantage of the opener/spot starter thing is that, once a guy is on empty, you just reload with a different guy. If you can get a guy you know will be good game after game, sure, but how easy is that when you're not going to take on a contract?
Borucki will be nice. If Perez is healthy when he comes back, can use a righty/lefty mix to use depending on the opponent and still have a guy for innings in reserve in the pen so will be easier to keep the short guys fresh.
Shame Mitch didn't get the W. That sort of thing matters with the AS game. But we all know what he's doing for this team.
He's been just great!
AS game is an exhibition. Skenes should be going to pitch his 100+ mph heater and splinkers at em before Keller anyway.
Holderman, too, to be fair. He's been huge.
Great to take the series, they really need another bat or 2. Great pitching throughout this series.
Am i crazy for thinking if we get one above average bat in the OF and get bart/lose grandall that might be enough? Ideally fix both cf and rf but even just the corner could be done for cheap and cf left to platoon doesnt hurt as much imo
Yes, you’re crazy. But only half crazy.
Jazz Chisholm and then we can trade both Taylor and Jack.
Think bigger with a trade for Robert. Chandler, Suwinski,Peguero and another lower prospect might do it.
Like the idea, just don’t love the player. Robert’s splits make him more valuable against LHP, where we are already doing OK. Ideally we need a LHB.
You’re not getting Lou Bob unless you trade a potential star prospect for him. I’m not sure they have that in the system right now unless the Pale Hose love Termarr.
Chandler, Suwinski, Peggy, Stratton BTV says for Robert then we could trade Holderman for a 1B hoping Burrows and Ashcraft could head to the pen. Something like Holderman + Termarr for Coby Mayo and Dylan Beavers.
Yikes BTV thinks Jack, Bubba, Solo + Peguero for Jazz (2.5 years). We'd still need a 1B too.
I don’t look at that site because it’s behind a paywall. That price on Jazz (who I like) is too high.
I'd do it and trade Taylor for a "Solo last year" sort
My issue with Jazz is his durability. Only one of his first three seasons he had 100 games played, although he’ll likely hit that mark this year. Thinking about this today, though, I’m more inclined to pull the trigger.
I don’t think Jack has much value to a team undergoing a rebuild like Miami. I’d sub out Jack and add something else to the deal.
They need about 4 bats.
Very true, they're lacking at least 2 in the starting lineup, a dependable lefty platoon for the outfield and a solid bench bat for pinch hitting. Are bench is pathetic, kinda makes me hope Palacios can get back to his last year form. I don't have any confidence in BC going out and getting 1, it's a fantasy to think he'll get 2 or 3.
Bryan Reynolds postgame is like Ruby Rhod interviewing Korben Dallas in Fifth Element
That movie is a classic.
Watched it last night at my wife's request. She's watched it with me at least 4 times and never finished it. Always falls asleep. Last night included.
Win the series!