Frazier again in LF. Totally fine with that. He's quietly gotten to a .690 OPS. Not exactly something to celebrate, but on a team with a pitiful .649 OPS, it's useful. He's tied for 4th on the team with Reynolds, if you don't count Sullivan or Gonzales.
They are interviewing Quinn Priester on MLB now, talking about how he has been a starter, bulk reliever and tandem reliever this year. I know I am well in the minority, but that is how I would like to see Mlodzinski used this year. Priester so far is 4-2 with a 3.65 ERA.
Happy to see Jhonny Severino's name on there. The guy has a long way to go, but hard to believe that way back we traded Carlos Santana for a guy that is still only 20 years old.
I got this thing in me that wants to say KG is going to be the next great position player for the Pirates, but I'm afraid to say it. I want him to hurry up and get to the big leagues.
Which part, the standing at home plate? Not disagreeing although I don’t care about stuff like that, but he has been scuffling and has looked frustrated, perhaps is just letting some of that stuff out.
Guys like Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens would tell Cruz to find another way of saying I love you, Dad.
Besides, I thought when these guys cross home plate and point toward the sky, that was their tribute?
Is Cruz honestly on record saying - I tribute my dad by doing a quarter spin towards my dugout and staring straight ahead for 20 secs before doing my HR trot?
Again, without sounding redundant, no chance he would pull that a decade ago.
with all this statcast bragging about exit velocity and what not, you'd think this would be a perfect opportunity to claim the crown to be the fastest to run around all the bases?
Cruz striking out at 33.5%. If ever there was a guy who had incentive to cut his k’s down a bit it is this guy. He hits the ball so hard. He is getting into dangerous territory with that k rate. He also has been taking a ton of called 3rd strikes which is an unforced error on his part. He is such a talent, but he still hasn’t brought it all together. If he could just stay 28-30% k rate I’d be satisfied. Those “extra” times of contact would definitely benefit him.
I like how he is developing, but that doesn’t mean ignoring the warts, it is understanding the player he is. My assumption is he wants to be as good as he can be, so if he wants to be great, this is an area he needs to address. He is HOF talent, we’ll see if he can get there. Something less than that is hardly failure, but…
I have no idea, but wonder how much of it as that pitchers changing their approach. And now Cruz will have to change his approach, then pitchers, then Cruz, then pitchers, then Cruz......
Another Cherington Horror Stat: FG has an article up on Keller, who so far is having a historic season. He currently has more fWAR than wins, 1.6 to 1. Only seven qualifiers have done that over a season in MLB history.
4th inning, 2 outs, grounder to IKF and he decides not to charge it. IKF doesn't have the arm to make the play, and Otto Lopez gets to 1b when the inning should be over...then a wild pitch moves Lopez to 2nd and a weak hitting1bmen hits one up the middle for the 3rd and deciding run.
IKF is a nice player and someone that can help a winning club, but him playing SS every day, plays like that will happen. Much more suited to be a SU.
Another thing that pisses me off - Once Henry Davis learns he doesn't need to sell out on pull side power, he'll be a decent player. He has plenty of raw power and he doesn't need to sellout like that. Dude has to lead the league in foul ball HRs.
The real Sandy Alcantara showed up and he is an excellent pitcher. The Pirates rallied late, but second and third with one out and could not get the tieing run home. Nice to see Hayes and Cruz go yard, and Mitch Keller just a little bit less than Alcantara on this night. Still expect him to be pitching down the stretch for a team in the NL West between now and the Trade Deadline.
At GBO, they moved Rivas to 3B, installed Konnor Griffin at SS, and he responded with 2 doubles - are the mph exit velocities at GBO not official? Antwone Kelly with a very efficient start of 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB/4 K, 75 pitches/57 strikes. Levi Sterling at FCL also with a good start - getting the feel for it. Malcom Nunez with a 3-3 night in his first Rehab Start in the FCL. Get him back to AAA! And finally, Edward Florentino, 18, 2-3, 2 RBI, 1.022 OPS - 22 games in the FCL with 5 HR, and has not been overwhelmed (11 BB/19 K). Why not move him across town for the second half of the BRD season?
I should include him in my list of the pitching signed by BC during the off-season - Heaney, Santana (late '24), Ferguson, Lawrence, Shugart, Mayza, and Rainey. For that group he paid $14.25 mil and to date they have returned $17.05 mil in fWAR Value. He does very well with pitching - he needs to sign an Assistant who can handle signing hitters.
Also took a look at his numbers and I cannot understand how he is doing as well as the numbers indicate. A FB (FA) in the lower 90's (92.8), his GB rate is way down this year, and his HR rate is up - like a formula for disaster! But, if he is throwing strikes and they are not hitting it, who am I to argue with success?
Bart is now Bubba's personal catcher?
Frazier again in LF. Totally fine with that. He's quietly gotten to a .690 OPS. Not exactly something to celebrate, but on a team with a pitiful .649 OPS, it's useful. He's tied for 4th on the team with Reynolds, if you don't count Sullivan or Gonzales.
Mlod up, Nicolas down.
They are interviewing Quinn Priester on MLB now, talking about how he has been a starter, bulk reliever and tandem reliever this year. I know I am well in the minority, but that is how I would like to see Mlodzinski used this year. Priester so far is 4-2 with a 3.65 ERA.
Followed by Ferguson should work enough.
They should consider letting Nicolas start in AAA, maybe more reps will help him discover better command instead of 2-3 innings per week.
As an opener for 2 to 4 innings might help harness his control.
His arm better be in the pen
Ahh, that's why Mlod didn't start yesterday.
I had a hunch.
Does this mean Mlod is going back to the bullpen?
Maybe they want a spot start to rest everybody? I dunno. I'm certainly fine if he does go to the pen. If I were Kelly I'd be lobbying for that.
I think is a spot start as well.
Happy to see Jhonny Severino's name on there. The guy has a long way to go, but hard to believe that way back we traded Carlos Santana for a guy that is still only 20 years old.
I got this thing in me that wants to say KG is going to be the next great position player for the Pirates, but I'm afraid to say it. I want him to hurry up and get to the big leagues.
I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it to Altoona in August if he keeps on raking.
I don't know about you guys, but the shenanigans Cruz does after he hits a HR wouldn't happen 10 years ago.
I love a showman but 10 years ago if he pulled that stunt, he'd be wearing one tonight in the top of the 1st.
Which part, the standing at home plate? Not disagreeing although I don’t care about stuff like that, but he has been scuffling and has looked frustrated, perhaps is just letting some of that stuff out.
Yes, him striking a pose after he hits one. Personally, I love it, but if Cutch did that in 2015, he'd be wearing one in the spine the next night.
He was definitely frustrated by that's his thing after he hits one.
His standing at home plate I believe is misunderstood. It's his way of honoring me, his father. It's his way of saying, "I love you. Dad!"
Guys like Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens would tell Cruz to find another way of saying I love you, Dad.
Besides, I thought when these guys cross home plate and point toward the sky, that was their tribute?
Is Cruz honestly on record saying - I tribute my dad by doing a quarter spin towards my dugout and staring straight ahead for 20 secs before doing my HR trot?
Again, without sounding redundant, no chance he would pull that a decade ago.
another thing about Cruz in the game a decade ago is what type of damage he would impound upon a crumpled catcher during a collision at home plate?
That’s the way I saw it too, a thank you father for all you’ve done to get me here!
I'm waiting for the guy who shows off after hitting a homerun by sprinting as fast as he can around the bases
I think Griffin has been known to do that. Termarr.....no, lolly gags it around.
and slides head first into home
I love the idea of sliding into each base, hook slides only to avoid the tag
That comment made my day. Thanks bmac. I see why you have so many sources.
with all this statcast bragging about exit velocity and what not, you'd think this would be a perfect opportunity to claim the crown to be the fastest to run around all the bases?
I agree. Especially in the return years of the mullet. Get those hot party threads off da back yo neck.
All it takes is one guy announcing his presence with authority on the hr sprint.
Cruz striking out at 33.5%. If ever there was a guy who had incentive to cut his k’s down a bit it is this guy. He hits the ball so hard. He is getting into dangerous territory with that k rate. He also has been taking a ton of called 3rd strikes which is an unforced error on his part. He is such a talent, but he still hasn’t brought it all together. If he could just stay 28-30% k rate I’d be satisfied. Those “extra” times of contact would definitely benefit him.
I like how he is developing, but that doesn’t mean ignoring the warts, it is understanding the player he is. My assumption is he wants to be as good as he can be, so if he wants to be great, this is an area he needs to address. He is HOF talent, we’ll see if he can get there. Something less than that is hardly failure, but…
On pace for nearly a 5 win season. I’ll live with and won’t complain a bit about the warts if that ends up being the production.
He was doing a lot less of it early this year, wonder what changed in his approach
Was wondering the same.
I have no idea, but wonder how much of it as that pitchers changing their approach. And now Cruz will have to change his approach, then pitchers, then Cruz, then pitchers, then Cruz......
Could be for sure! Im sure he will punch back
amen.
Another Cherington Horror Stat: FG has an article up on Keller, who so far is having a historic season. He currently has more fWAR than wins, 1.6 to 1. Only seven qualifiers have done that over a season in MLB history.
Mitch is actually up to 1.7 fWAR. He's the opposite of Gehrig.
Mitch is a valuable pitcher. Under appreciated.
Bubba > Mitch
Key to the game...
4th inning, 2 outs, grounder to IKF and he decides not to charge it. IKF doesn't have the arm to make the play, and Otto Lopez gets to 1b when the inning should be over...then a wild pitch moves Lopez to 2nd and a weak hitting1bmen hits one up the middle for the 3rd and deciding run.
IKF is a nice player and someone that can help a winning club, but him playing SS every day, plays like that will happen. Much more suited to be a SU.
Another thing that pisses me off - Once Henry Davis learns he doesn't need to sell out on pull side power, he'll be a decent player. He has plenty of raw power and he doesn't need to sellout like that. Dude has to lead the league in foul ball HRs.
Darren Daulton was similar 30 some years ago. He had tons of foul ball homers and finally figured it out.
I think he'll ultimately figure it out, but there's going to be some real frustration along the way.
Savant has IKF 18th percentile in defensive value, 8th in range and 21st in arm strength. The other metrics aren’t any better. He’s not a SS.
It's all the arm. He's pretty agile out there and has good hands.
The real Sandy Alcantara showed up and he is an excellent pitcher. The Pirates rallied late, but second and third with one out and could not get the tieing run home. Nice to see Hayes and Cruz go yard, and Mitch Keller just a little bit less than Alcantara on this night. Still expect him to be pitching down the stretch for a team in the NL West between now and the Trade Deadline.
At GBO, they moved Rivas to 3B, installed Konnor Griffin at SS, and he responded with 2 doubles - are the mph exit velocities at GBO not official? Antwone Kelly with a very efficient start of 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB/4 K, 75 pitches/57 strikes. Levi Sterling at FCL also with a good start - getting the feel for it. Malcom Nunez with a 3-3 night in his first Rehab Start in the FCL. Get him back to AAA! And finally, Edward Florentino, 18, 2-3, 2 RBI, 1.022 OPS - 22 games in the FCL with 5 HR, and has not been overwhelmed (11 BB/19 K). Why not move him across town for the second half of the BRD season?
https://x.com/YoungBucsPIT/status/1932779668039496144
Rivas homerun
https://x.com/YoungBucsPIT/status/1932805960210260096
Griffin's doubles
They didn't play it on your clip, but the opposing announcer said he is surprised Griffin's second hit didn't go completely through the wall. :)
Yeah that was an absolute rocket damn
Only stadiums with the automatic strike zone (and major league stadiums) are going to have exit velocity data available.
Every stadium tracks it, but it’s just not available to the public
According to the broadcast for Rome, I believe they said both doubles were 110+ off the bat
111mph and 113mph
No shoutout for Mattson who has been surprisingly good in his short time in the majors for the Pirates?
I should include him in my list of the pitching signed by BC during the off-season - Heaney, Santana (late '24), Ferguson, Lawrence, Shugart, Mayza, and Rainey. For that group he paid $14.25 mil and to date they have returned $17.05 mil in fWAR Value. He does very well with pitching - he needs to sign an Assistant who can handle signing hitters.
Also took a look at his numbers and I cannot understand how he is doing as well as the numbers indicate. A FB (FA) in the lower 90's (92.8), his GB rate is way down this year, and his HR rate is up - like a formula for disaster! But, if he is throwing strikes and they are not hitting it, who am I to argue with success?