So Joe got screened by the SS not allowing him to see the ball hit OF grass? This is where Rabelo and Brock are supposed to be involved.
But I don't think Brock's voice carries 10 feet.
Also the 3rd base ump should have been much farther into LF to make the safe call where Joe could see the call rather than ump hugging the 3rd base line. We just can't have the TOOTBLANS with our offense starved lineup.
I have no issue with holding Jones pitch counts down, he's 22 and that arm needs special attention. But who didn't get the memo on his last start? Or was there simply no plan thru his first 3 starts, which is itself FO and field management negligence?
Alika Williams is punching well above his weight class right now and we haven't even noticed really, and won't run a .400 BABIP forever.
We aren't getting a good version of Cruz right now, and really a lot of our guys are not taking advantage of balls in the heart of the plate. (I feel like every game I get Deja Vu to Pedro Alvarez getting hosed on outside pitches called for strikes then he is already down 1-2 and strikes out. I feel like that is happening with Cruz and the low pitches....) I felt like Alika was on the team to play SS to backup, so if not, I'd rather have Gonzales. But that brings me to 2b. I was a big advocate of 'what if Triolo gets power after recovering from his hammate injury last year and plays super defense at 2b - lets try. Well, Triolo has come back to earth with a normal BABIP, but man I didn't realize how bad he is against lefties.
Rowdy Tellez, while getting positive air time for his clubhouse character guy, is hitting like a sub replacement level bat. I have confidence from his xWOBA he will get a bit better, but but he also isn't a guy who will run a bapip >.300 for long so its not all pointing up from here
Cutch contact % of pitches in the zone is at an all time low, and not even close. at 74% vs career 85% and 82% last year. It shows.
We are lucky to have our record, and really need a change in offensive mindset from my point of view right now.
The comment about Nick Gonzales is current and important to many teams in addition to the Pirates. Teams with MI needs see the wealth of MI's that are at or near MLB and they know the sale will begin soon. Oneil Cruz, Jared Triolo, Alika Williams, Liover Peguero, Nick Gonzales, Ji-Hwan Bae, with Tsung-Che Cheng, Termarr Johnson, and Jack Brannigan following closely behind. I look at MLBTR every day to find a blurb about which team has inquired about a player, and especially a MI of the Pirates.
BC and Pirate Management know the situation. The Pirates have needs and those needs could be satisfied with just a trade or two of quality players we have overstocked. All of these kids want innings at MLB - yes with the Pirates, but if not the Pirates they would be thrilled to get the opportunity with another team. Guys like Williams 25, Peguero 23, Gonzales 25, and Bae 25 are all cooperating by playing good baseball.
I see our primary need as getting a young centerfielder, RH hitter for average and power, high quality defense, and is possibly blocked in his ability to move up with his current team. That situation exists right now with the Yankees and the centerfielder blocked from upward mobility is Everson Pereira. We already have a PTBNL coming from the Yankees from the BRU and $500,000 of International Monies trade. I think the Pirates have 6 months to select. Usually a list of 5 or 10 possibles would be provided from the Yankees to the Pirates. If Pereira is not one of the players offered, what will it take to make that so. Giving up the International monies and a SP coming off TJ should be enough, but we need to get this done. Pereira is in his age 23 season, has 41 days of MLB Service (2023), and 1 MiLB Option remaining.
Well.. they had the same needs in the off-season, and tried to put band-aids on them. Michael Busch, whom the Cubs acquired for a pitching prospect, the #8 guy in their system: the equivalent of Aschcroft or Herrington, and a lottery ticket, just had his HR streak broken at 5 consecutive games. If the Pirates made no moves to trade to upgrade their team in the offseason, why would they do so now in the early season? They missed huge opportunities this off-season to make serious upgrades so until the prospect hoarding and hopium stops, I am not onboard with the idea that the "sale will begin soon." Gonzalez and Bae are quickly losing whatever trade value they have. I'm not sure Williams has ever had much, and even Peguero is starting to lose some luster. No one wants 26-year old prospects because 26-year olds are not prospects. They are busts.
The Padres have put out a starting line-up this year with 7 of the 9 players having MLB experience at shortstop. One of the selling points of the Pirates drafting middle infielders is that they are athletic enough to play almost anywhere. I like your idea of trading, but also maybe some of our good infielders can also be good outfielders.
I’ve actually never lived in PA. Born and raised in CO long before the Rockies existed. Adopted the Pirates in the 70’s. However I am planning my first visit to PNC next month to play golf and watch the Braves series with some golf and baseball loving buddies. Can’t wait!
As for the move, it’s not even to a different neighborhood. All I have to say is, I’m married and she talked me into it.
Thankfully you don’t marry an interest rate. After all is said and done, my monthly payment will be basically the same with an extra $75-100K in equity. Hard to say no to that deal.
I worked construction for a company out of NY (EBASCO) building Electrical Generating Stations all over the US and moving every 2 or 3 years. Not fun at all.
The Mets pitching is probably better than most of the teams we have played so far, but the Pirates were due for a reckoning with reality. I commented on the quality of our SP this year, but our BP has struggled. And, I am not sure if Shelton is at the point where he can play long ball and/or small ball depending upon the circumstances presented.
The Pirates can hit, but losing just one person out of the lineup (Hayes) can upset the balance for such a young and inexperienced club. Plus, lots of new faces that we will possibly never know what they are fully comfortable with or capable of providing.
The Pirates are 11-7 and a solid reason for that can be found in the Starting Pitching, which was supposedly going to be a mystery, especially at the beginning of the season. A look at the leaderboard on Fangraphs with 76 SP's listed in order of fWAR shows Jared Jones 22nd with an fWAR of 0.5. Right behind him at 23rd is Martin Perez also with an fWAR of 0.5. At 33rd is Mitch Keller with an fWAR of 0.4, and Marco Gonzalez is not listed, but has enough innings to qualify. His 0.3 fWAR would fall into the group between 37-48, so 4 Pirate SP's in the Top 50!
Of that group, Jared Jones is the only Rookie I can identify. That could bode very well for being in contention for ROY, but it is still very early.
An excellent outing by Carlos Jimenez at A Bradenton yesterday. He was very strong in 2022 at BRD, starting 15 games with 70 IP, 88 K, but ran through injury issues in 2023. Still only 21. Second most Whiffs with 12 as pointed out above, and he went 3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 Runs. Never have enough SP's!
So Joe got screened by the SS not allowing him to see the ball hit OF grass? This is where Rabelo and Brock are supposed to be involved.
But I don't think Brock's voice carries 10 feet.
Also the 3rd base ump should have been much farther into LF to make the safe call where Joe could see the call rather than ump hugging the 3rd base line. We just can't have the TOOTBLANS with our offense starved lineup.
I was thinking the exact same on our base coaches. They need to be screaming at Joe to run.
I have no issue with holding Jones pitch counts down, he's 22 and that arm needs special attention. But who didn't get the memo on his last start? Or was there simply no plan thru his first 3 starts, which is itself FO and field management negligence?
The people have spoken and they demand Murph put together some video analysis of Nick Gonzales.
I don't make the rules.
Damn still no Ke in the lineup today
Absolutely unreal!
Lots of SSS observations here....
Alika Williams is punching well above his weight class right now and we haven't even noticed really, and won't run a .400 BABIP forever.
We aren't getting a good version of Cruz right now, and really a lot of our guys are not taking advantage of balls in the heart of the plate. (I feel like every game I get Deja Vu to Pedro Alvarez getting hosed on outside pitches called for strikes then he is already down 1-2 and strikes out. I feel like that is happening with Cruz and the low pitches....) I felt like Alika was on the team to play SS to backup, so if not, I'd rather have Gonzales. But that brings me to 2b. I was a big advocate of 'what if Triolo gets power after recovering from his hammate injury last year and plays super defense at 2b - lets try. Well, Triolo has come back to earth with a normal BABIP, but man I didn't realize how bad he is against lefties.
Rowdy Tellez, while getting positive air time for his clubhouse character guy, is hitting like a sub replacement level bat. I have confidence from his xWOBA he will get a bit better, but but he also isn't a guy who will run a bapip >.300 for long so its not all pointing up from here
Cutch contact % of pitches in the zone is at an all time low, and not even close. at 74% vs career 85% and 82% last year. It shows.
We are lucky to have our record, and really need a change in offensive mindset from my point of view right now.
Man I've had no interest in digging into the ugly parts, too much fun riding the wave, but this is a good list.
Oneil is a mess but if history serves will eventually wake up and stop taking so many plays off, not super concerned.
KeBryan's discipline has saved him this year while running a career-low launch angle and career-high ground ball rate. Bye Bye breakout.
But the elephant in the room is clearly Hank. Nobody seems to want to even talk about the reality we're seeing.
Where do we rank in looking Ks right now, because it sure feels pretty high!
5th highest: https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2024-pitches-batting.shtml
buried the lede...actually first (L/SO)!
https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2024-pitches-batting.shtml
The comment about Nick Gonzales is current and important to many teams in addition to the Pirates. Teams with MI needs see the wealth of MI's that are at or near MLB and they know the sale will begin soon. Oneil Cruz, Jared Triolo, Alika Williams, Liover Peguero, Nick Gonzales, Ji-Hwan Bae, with Tsung-Che Cheng, Termarr Johnson, and Jack Brannigan following closely behind. I look at MLBTR every day to find a blurb about which team has inquired about a player, and especially a MI of the Pirates.
BC and Pirate Management know the situation. The Pirates have needs and those needs could be satisfied with just a trade or two of quality players we have overstocked. All of these kids want innings at MLB - yes with the Pirates, but if not the Pirates they would be thrilled to get the opportunity with another team. Guys like Williams 25, Peguero 23, Gonzales 25, and Bae 25 are all cooperating by playing good baseball.
I see our primary need as getting a young centerfielder, RH hitter for average and power, high quality defense, and is possibly blocked in his ability to move up with his current team. That situation exists right now with the Yankees and the centerfielder blocked from upward mobility is Everson Pereira. We already have a PTBNL coming from the Yankees from the BRU and $500,000 of International Monies trade. I think the Pirates have 6 months to select. Usually a list of 5 or 10 possibles would be provided from the Yankees to the Pirates. If Pereira is not one of the players offered, what will it take to make that so. Giving up the International monies and a SP coming off TJ should be enough, but we need to get this done. Pereira is in his age 23 season, has 41 days of MLB Service (2023), and 1 MiLB Option remaining.
Well.. they had the same needs in the off-season, and tried to put band-aids on them. Michael Busch, whom the Cubs acquired for a pitching prospect, the #8 guy in their system: the equivalent of Aschcroft or Herrington, and a lottery ticket, just had his HR streak broken at 5 consecutive games. If the Pirates made no moves to trade to upgrade their team in the offseason, why would they do so now in the early season? They missed huge opportunities this off-season to make serious upgrades so until the prospect hoarding and hopium stops, I am not onboard with the idea that the "sale will begin soon." Gonzalez and Bae are quickly losing whatever trade value they have. I'm not sure Williams has ever had much, and even Peguero is starting to lose some luster. No one wants 26-year old prospects because 26-year olds are not prospects. They are busts.
The Padres have put out a starting line-up this year with 7 of the 9 players having MLB experience at shortstop. One of the selling points of the Pirates drafting middle infielders is that they are athletic enough to play almost anywhere. I like your idea of trading, but also maybe some of our good infielders can also be good outfielders.
Okay but here me out....Everson Pereria.
I like the high ceiling. I also like what I have read about his defense. I'm wondering why he strikes out so much.
Yea, and if you were going to convert an IF to play OF, it already should have happened.
That is what I am questioning. Why hasn't it happened.
In the throes of moving, so I haven’t seen the games vs Mets. Appears Mets pitching is better than advertised.
Moving? Did you get a new job? If so, hopefully it’s as a relief pitcher. Good luck, moving is a bear…
As bad as it was this series, you definitely don’t want this lefty anywhere near the mound.
#ThrowLikeAGirl
Back north or sticking in GA?
I’ve actually never lived in PA. Born and raised in CO long before the Rockies existed. Adopted the Pirates in the 70’s. However I am planning my first visit to PNC next month to play golf and watch the Braves series with some golf and baseball loving buddies. Can’t wait!
As for the move, it’s not even to a different neighborhood. All I have to say is, I’m married and she talked me into it.
I
Must REALLY be true love to talk you into giving up that sub-5% interest rate! ;)
Good man, Scott. Enjoy the burgh!
Thankfully you don’t marry an interest rate. After all is said and done, my monthly payment will be basically the same with an extra $75-100K in equity. Hard to say no to that deal.
Our offense isnt helping itself out either
I worked construction for a company out of NY (EBASCO) building Electrical Generating Stations all over the US and moving every 2 or 3 years. Not fun at all.
The Mets pitching is probably better than most of the teams we have played so far, but the Pirates were due for a reckoning with reality. I commented on the quality of our SP this year, but our BP has struggled. And, I am not sure if Shelton is at the point where he can play long ball and/or small ball depending upon the circumstances presented.
The Pirates can hit, but losing just one person out of the lineup (Hayes) can upset the balance for such a young and inexperienced club. Plus, lots of new faces that we will possibly never know what they are fully comfortable with or capable of providing.
The Pirates are 11-7 and a solid reason for that can be found in the Starting Pitching, which was supposedly going to be a mystery, especially at the beginning of the season. A look at the leaderboard on Fangraphs with 76 SP's listed in order of fWAR shows Jared Jones 22nd with an fWAR of 0.5. Right behind him at 23rd is Martin Perez also with an fWAR of 0.5. At 33rd is Mitch Keller with an fWAR of 0.4, and Marco Gonzalez is not listed, but has enough innings to qualify. His 0.3 fWAR would fall into the group between 37-48, so 4 Pirate SP's in the Top 50!
Of that group, Jared Jones is the only Rookie I can identify. That could bode very well for being in contention for ROY, but it is still very early.
An excellent outing by Carlos Jimenez at A Bradenton yesterday. He was very strong in 2022 at BRD, starting 15 games with 70 IP, 88 K, but ran through injury issues in 2023. Still only 21. Second most Whiffs with 12 as pointed out above, and he went 3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 Runs. Never have enough SP's!