Taylor Penn one of the two pirates draft picks that didn't sign, had a good freshman year at Western Kentucky. He only threw 31 innings with 25 k's 5 bb's, he threw 3.1 scoreless innings against Vandy as a highlight. Threw a scoreless inning against Georgia Tech in regionals. Also threw 3 innings against DBU only giving up an unearned run.
If Hernandez/Holliday is there you take 'em, then Willits. I like JoJo Parker currently or one of the 3 college lefties (still watching them in the tournament) they could still separate themselves from Parker. I like Arquette but not at pick 6. I like the 7 above better plus Carlson, Bremner, and Witherspoon.
I am still a fan of Carlson, although I have not seen how his year is finishing up. Not a fan of high first round college pitchers (aside from Skenes, a generational player); they are older than the prep guys with more mileage. When you subtract the 1.5 years lost from TJ surgery that they will need, the college guys are often too old to reach their potential. I guess if they had TJ in college (ie Barco) it may be OK. I have not looked back to confirm my suspicions, but I cannot recall more than one or two quality Pirates pitching prospects that have not undergone TJ in their careers. Cole, Taillon, Glasnow, Baz, Holmes, Kranick, Burrows, Ashcraft, Jones and on and on. Most of those guys were prep guys, but it is true for college guys too.
TJ is basically commonplace in this game, and as of yet, no one has cracked the code as to how to avoid it. The Pirates are no worse than any other organization in avoiding this feature and probably better than the organizations renowned for development (LAD and TB) who build guys up by enhancing velocity and spin.
So there’s no point fretting about it too much. Get as many high quality arms as you can. Throwing a baseball is bad for you.
Actually was thinking Hernandez myself, feel we need some hitters but I guess you can't pass up on that kid. Thanks for the input, always appreciate your takes
That's my thinking, kid looks like a future frontline starter, it'd be easier for me to pass on Holliday than Hernandez somedays lol. I go back and forth between those 2. I sometimes like Willits more than Holliday but Holliday's power usually wins out.
He got an aggressive placement (A-) and it’s more than holding his own and improving while handling the two most difficult defensive position after catcher….
Not sure how Moreta is still on a rehab assignment. He was sent to A ball on 4/29. Then moved to AAA on 5/6. Everything I read says rehabbing pitchers get only 30 days.
He does have an option but they seem about ready to call him up. Tomczak was talking a day or two ago about how he’s pitching in consecutive games, etc.
What are the Pirates doing with L. Peguero? So far this year he’s played all 4 infield positions and centerfield. are they trying to make him our new Triolo? Is Cheng really better than Peguero? Leave him at one spot see what he can do. 24 years old I think they ruined his mojo. Just my opinion
Cheng could be the best fielding SS, but you are right about Peguero. When we needed somebody to step up in 2023 after the Cruz injury and every other option was tried they went to the 22 year old Peguero. He did well and possibly felt like he could have been on the roster for 2024, but BC had a group of other guys he liked better. Don't know if "ruined his mojo" means the same, but they provided him with ZERO incentive.
I have mentioned on this site that I would like to see Peguero up and working at 2B with IKF (NG was injured). Then when NG returned he and Peguero and IKF could rotate in the MI - thereby getting ready for the trade of IKF. But, all the available MI work went to Frazier and Triolo. It is what it is! Peguero is a good defensive 3B and has played all 4 IF positions, but for my money, Jack Brannigan is going to be the Utility IF and he can hit. He and TJ make a solid twosome and have played MI in 2023, 2024 until Brannigan was injured, and TJ took over at SS, and now this year at AA. Keep those two together in AAA and then at Pittsburgh sometime in 2026.
I do think they think Cheng is better than Peguero. I’ve heard glowing things about Cheng‘s defense, and he has hit consistently climbing the ladder.
I think it’s pretty clear that they think that Peguero has no future as a major league shortstop. And he’s basically never hit consistently at any level. He’s not going to make it.
Neither is Cheng for that matter. He can play SS, but he couldn’t hit in AA and he’s overmatched in AAA. They’re just organizational depth at this point.
Pirates deal Bailey Falter and Andrew Heaney at the deadline. Falter continues his successful May through June and builds his trade value higher than Keller.
The impending promotion of Barco and Pirates ability to maximize value of veteran LHSP gives BC the comfort level to trade a low cost, valuable LHSP with years of control for either an OF or left side of IF bat.
I would be very unhappy if they deal Falter. Cheap, controllable, and really f’ing good right now. He’s a dude that when he’s got it is hard to beat. And he’s showing fewer blowups than the past. Maybe this is the guy he is and finally reached his potential? No reason to break up the rotation like that. Trade Heaney and Keller if the right deal comes along. Bring up Bubba and give Ash/Mlod the 5 spot to wind down the season. Those guys are a placeholder for Barco.
If they move Griffin up, they would also likely have to move Rivas up to Altoona. Both are shortstops and Rivas is probably the better fielder. All star games are probably the nearest timeline, and I am not sure they won't give Rivas more time than that.
He is doing very well at A. He hits with power and for average and his only issue was the high number of strikeouts. I think on the year he has 10 BB/49 K, but in the last 10 games he has 5 K's/4 BB while still hitting very well, so VG progress. He is fielding .982 at SS in 27 Games. He's checked a lot of the personal boxes in a very short period of time, but the Pirates will wait until the second half to make promotions - A to A+, A+ to AA, AA to AAA.
The Pirates will be trading IKF, Frazier, Pham, etc. and at AAA they will be including at least 4 or 5 others in trades, or DFA them - have to break the logjam of the aged at AAA. The Pirates need to change their thinking about when to get Top Players to the Majors, and quit adding veterans who do little more than block advancement by younger players.
Yep, maybe at mid season if he continues to improve on his in zone contact rates and limits his chase rates out of zone (I don't consider either bad for a 19 year old in his first go at professional ball).
I can see the argument to challenge him sooner though but think he still needs some more time in Bradenton.
I agree with others that he is simply not concerned with walks because he is seeing so many hittable pitches. He really needs to face better competition soon. This is like hitting off a tee for him.
I'm not concerned with his walks either. His in zone contact rate is around 75% which isn't bad but isn't good either. He's clearly progressing and a promotion is coming, if it's tomorrow fine, but I wouldn't be in a rush as long as he is still progressing.
Hell, yeah! Don’t tease me now Matt. Can you believe it’s been four years since his breakout season? Back then I would’ve thought by now he would be Arbitration eligible. Him and Gorski will be bittersweet goodbyes to the organization. Probably Peguero too.
Termarr with a blast.
Carlos Castillo was also really sharp in a short outing today. He’s had a couple bad games, but he’s a guy to watch.
Pretty good trade and dev acquiring Falter for Castro. Falter looks like JA Happ
IKF trade is also paying off. McAdoo looking like he’s going to wash out in AAA
Now, if they could get Cook & Yorke going.
Taylor Penn one of the two pirates draft picks that didn't sign, had a good freshman year at Western Kentucky. He only threw 31 innings with 25 k's 5 bb's, he threw 3.1 scoreless innings against Vandy as a highlight. Threw a scoreless inning against Georgia Tech in regionals. Also threw 3 innings against DBU only giving up an unearned run.
Carlson Reed looks pretty sharp today. Some deep counts in the first but he was barely missing. Through 2, one HBP and a bunch of easy GBs.
Griffin with another walk and stolen base (24)
Just lasered one right at the CF.
And another bb. Edit and stolen base (25)
You got me on the Willits train but if he's not there at 6 what's your pick? Also, what's your thoughts on Arquette?
If Hernandez/Holliday is there you take 'em, then Willits. I like JoJo Parker currently or one of the 3 college lefties (still watching them in the tournament) they could still separate themselves from Parker. I like Arquette but not at pick 6. I like the 7 above better plus Carlson, Bremner, and Witherspoon.
I am still a fan of Carlson, although I have not seen how his year is finishing up. Not a fan of high first round college pitchers (aside from Skenes, a generational player); they are older than the prep guys with more mileage. When you subtract the 1.5 years lost from TJ surgery that they will need, the college guys are often too old to reach their potential. I guess if they had TJ in college (ie Barco) it may be OK. I have not looked back to confirm my suspicions, but I cannot recall more than one or two quality Pirates pitching prospects that have not undergone TJ in their careers. Cole, Taillon, Glasnow, Baz, Holmes, Kranick, Burrows, Ashcraft, Jones and on and on. Most of those guys were prep guys, but it is true for college guys too.
TJ is basically commonplace in this game, and as of yet, no one has cracked the code as to how to avoid it. The Pirates are no worse than any other organization in avoiding this feature and probably better than the organizations renowned for development (LAD and TB) who build guys up by enhancing velocity and spin.
So there’s no point fretting about it too much. Get as many high quality arms as you can. Throwing a baseball is bad for you.
Anderson had TJS in 2022
Actually was thinking Hernandez myself, feel we need some hitters but I guess you can't pass up on that kid. Thanks for the input, always appreciate your takes
That's my thinking, kid looks like a future frontline starter, it'd be easier for me to pass on Holliday than Hernandez somedays lol. I go back and forth between those 2. I sometimes like Willits more than Holliday but Holliday's power usually wins out.
His on base is good, so is he getting plunk a lot?
BB rate is up to 6.4%. Been hit six times but not in a couple weeks.
The pace he's going he'll be upto 10% walk rate in a week lol
I think the pitchers here have seen enough of him. Just gotta take the cheap bases.
He got an aggressive placement (A-) and it’s more than holding his own and improving while handling the two most difficult defensive position after catcher….
Fair amount
Not sure how Moreta is still on a rehab assignment. He was sent to A ball on 4/29. Then moved to AAA on 5/6. Everything I read says rehabbing pitchers get only 30 days.
Think Ethan said on Twitter that pitchers rehabbing due to UCL related stuff can get an extra 10 days or something like that
He does have an option but they seem about ready to call him up. Tomczak was talking a day or two ago about how he’s pitching in consecutive games, etc.
What are the Pirates doing with L. Peguero? So far this year he’s played all 4 infield positions and centerfield. are they trying to make him our new Triolo? Is Cheng really better than Peguero? Leave him at one spot see what he can do. 24 years old I think they ruined his mojo. Just my opinion
Cheng could be the best fielding SS, but you are right about Peguero. When we needed somebody to step up in 2023 after the Cruz injury and every other option was tried they went to the 22 year old Peguero. He did well and possibly felt like he could have been on the roster for 2024, but BC had a group of other guys he liked better. Don't know if "ruined his mojo" means the same, but they provided him with ZERO incentive.
I have mentioned on this site that I would like to see Peguero up and working at 2B with IKF (NG was injured). Then when NG returned he and Peguero and IKF could rotate in the MI - thereby getting ready for the trade of IKF. But, all the available MI work went to Frazier and Triolo. It is what it is! Peguero is a good defensive 3B and has played all 4 IF positions, but for my money, Jack Brannigan is going to be the Utility IF and he can hit. He and TJ make a solid twosome and have played MI in 2023, 2024 until Brannigan was injured, and TJ took over at SS, and now this year at AA. Keep those two together in AAA and then at Pittsburgh sometime in 2026.
I do think they think Cheng is better than Peguero. I’ve heard glowing things about Cheng‘s defense, and he has hit consistently climbing the ladder.
Maybe they're trying to demonstrate his versatility for a future trade.
Could be GW. But with IKF probably gone at the trade deadline I thought that Peggy would fill in his SS role.
I think it’s pretty clear that they think that Peguero has no future as a major league shortstop. And he’s basically never hit consistently at any level. He’s not going to make it.
Neither is Cheng for that matter. He can play SS, but he couldn’t hit in AA and he’s overmatched in AAA. They’re just organizational depth at this point.
Bold prediction:
Pirates deal Bailey Falter and Andrew Heaney at the deadline. Falter continues his successful May through June and builds his trade value higher than Keller.
The impending promotion of Barco and Pirates ability to maximize value of veteran LHSP gives BC the comfort level to trade a low cost, valuable LHSP with years of control for either an OF or left side of IF bat.
I would be very unhappy if they deal Falter. Cheap, controllable, and really f’ing good right now. He’s a dude that when he’s got it is hard to beat. And he’s showing fewer blowups than the past. Maybe this is the guy he is and finally reached his potential? No reason to break up the rotation like that. Trade Heaney and Keller if the right deal comes along. Bring up Bubba and give Ash/Mlod the 5 spot to wind down the season. Those guys are a placeholder for Barco.
Could be fantastic retooling pieces… if done well
I can certainly buy-in on Falter increasing his value and being part of a trade for a bat.
Time for Griffin to move on to Greensboro. I see him in Altoona before the year is done. Next year?
If they move Griffin up, they would also likely have to move Rivas up to Altoona. Both are shortstops and Rivas is probably the better fielder. All star games are probably the nearest timeline, and I am not sure they won't give Rivas more time than that.
Promotion to Greensboro this summer. Altoona next summer at earliest. Pirates call up in June ‘27 if all goes well.
No, that’s absurdly premature. My guess is if he continues this way, Greensboro late July.
He is doing very well at A. He hits with power and for average and his only issue was the high number of strikeouts. I think on the year he has 10 BB/49 K, but in the last 10 games he has 5 K's/4 BB while still hitting very well, so VG progress. He is fielding .982 at SS in 27 Games. He's checked a lot of the personal boxes in a very short period of time, but the Pirates will wait until the second half to make promotions - A to A+, A+ to AA, AA to AAA.
The Pirates will be trading IKF, Frazier, Pham, etc. and at AAA they will be including at least 4 or 5 others in trades, or DFA them - have to break the logjam of the aged at AAA. The Pirates need to change their thinking about when to get Top Players to the Majors, and quit adding veterans who do little more than block advancement by younger players.
Yep, maybe at mid season if he continues to improve on his in zone contact rates and limits his chase rates out of zone (I don't consider either bad for a 19 year old in his first go at professional ball).
I can see the argument to challenge him sooner though but think he still needs some more time in Bradenton.
I agree with others that he is simply not concerned with walks because he is seeing so many hittable pitches. He really needs to face better competition soon. This is like hitting off a tee for him.
I'm not concerned with his walks either. His in zone contact rate is around 75% which isn't bad but isn't good either. He's clearly progressing and a promotion is coming, if it's tomorrow fine, but I wouldn't be in a rush as long as he is still progressing.
Matt Frazier where ya been? Forgot that dude was still around.
Hell, yeah! Don’t tease me now Matt. Can you believe it’s been four years since his breakout season? Back then I would’ve thought by now he would be Arbitration eligible. Him and Gorski will be bittersweet goodbyes to the organization. Probably Peguero too.
Peggy must suck bad if he can't get much pt for this team. So many prospects can break a heart. JR House?