I don't particularly like this take, but if our CF had Horwitz's batting skills and our 1B had Cruz's, then nobody would raise any questions.
The reason I don't like this take is that my primary hope for Cruz was that we'd be getting power from a position not known for power and that would give us the chance to have a lineup that is well above average in power. With Horwitz at 1B, we lose some of that potential.
But, in any case, I think Horwitz is a good addition to the lineup even if he doesn't come with the power we'd hope for from a first baseman.
I think for a team like the Pirates, they need a guy like Cruz getting atypical production from an up the middle position. Also, need at least league average production from 1b.
I think they will get league ave production, maybe a tick better from Horwitz...Just not in the conventional manner of 25-30 HRs.
Stephen Nesbitt said on the latest NS9 podcast that he thinks his power is better than Logenhagen does. I have no idea but I thought that was interesting
You made me look up his spray chart, which Savant helpfully superimposed on PNC. Looks like he could have had maybe 5 more dingerz, although that assumes playing every game at home. Realistically, could mean a few more.
Even if he's a 45, might hit like a 50 at home. Given our recent 1B black hole for any sort of production, even less than ideal power production is still valuable if hes providing solid OBP like the hes shown in his small sample
Horwitz is a much better value than Hoskins per at bat. However, Horwitz's split difference against lefties and righties are so astronomical, that skews some of the data. I see Horwitz helping the Pirates get leads early in games so I like having him. Late in games, we will see pitching changes in key situations when Horwitz is up.
Definitely the platoon challenge, but for one, I *hope* Horwitz is that good and two, the new LOOGY rule and a decent platoon-mate hopefully solves the problem.
Add in decent righty protection after him as the cherry on top.
Have you ever wondered what baseball would be like if the bases were 80 feet apart? Or 100 feet? And what about the mound? Would players have evolved differently and we'd have pretty much the same game? Or, would it be much different?
I always found the hand-wringing over the height of the stitches on the ball funny in the context of the fact that every single stadium has wildly differing outfield dimensions and absolutely nobody considers it an issue.
Someone help me out on Abrahan Gutierrez. There was some buzz about him going into last year. He looked like a monster when I saw him in spring. In a spring training game I saw him hit a homer (I think a grand slam) that went completely over the roof of the bleachers. Then showed little pop in his bat in the few at bats he had last year in Altoona. Was he hurt last year or has the ship sailed?
Mlb.com just dropped a piece on every org's top international prospect, and we are one of the few that doesn't have anyone in their top 10. YDLS is our top at 13 per their rankings, but sad that we keep wasting good shots to add talent from that pipeline
The Nats were very quiet, had done nothing until the Lowe trade on 12/22, followed by the 2 FA's in January. Could BC still surprise?...........Of course not! Ferguson for $3M was a nice add, but we need more.
BA on Morel, who's now #20 on their list, which is based on expected bonus:
"Morell was expected to sign with the Dodgers for a little under $1 million, but with Roki Sasaki’s decision putting things on hold for several teams, the Pirates swooped in late and now are set to sign Morell for close to $1.8 million. Morell has grown into a 6-foot-5, lanky lefthanded power hitter. He can launch balls out of the park deep to his pull side and still has plenty of space to fill out his extremely projectable, broad-shouldered frame, giving him the potential for at least plus raw power that could be a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. Some scouts liked Morel’s hitting ability, though others thought he was still learning to recognize spin and that his long limbs lead to some swing-and-miss, but there’s big power upside if he’s able to keep that in check. Morel is a tick above-average runner, but with his size and long actions he could ultimately shift from shortstop to third base or potentially the outfield."
They also have a "trending up" Venezuelan outfielder named Gabriel Rodriguez, at #56, associated with the Pirates. They say he's a line drive hitter now with a chance to hit for power and stay in CF.
Not a major news item, but Eddy Yean got an NRI. The Pirates seem to think he’s turned a corner, or at least taken a slight right or something.
Per Jeff Passan, Sasaki finalists are Padres, Dodgers, and Blue Jays.
Tough offseason for the Yankees. First Soto rejects them and now Sasaki.
At this point I'm just hoping Sasaki doesn't end up in the NL Central, or in the NL at all. Hoping he ends up in Seattle or Toronto.
Was he rumored to be linked with the Yankees? ive heard mostly west coast teams
The Cubs would be the worst possible scenario (in my world).
Agreed, and they seem like a very reasonable choice for him.
Seeking Solutions: In your mind, does Spencer Horwitz generate enough power to be a passable option at 1B for the Pirates for a few years?
Eric A Longenhagen: I think he’s okay, passable is how I’d put it, a 45 type player.
I don't particularly like this take, but if our CF had Horwitz's batting skills and our 1B had Cruz's, then nobody would raise any questions.
The reason I don't like this take is that my primary hope for Cruz was that we'd be getting power from a position not known for power and that would give us the chance to have a lineup that is well above average in power. With Horwitz at 1B, we lose some of that potential.
But, in any case, I think Horwitz is a good addition to the lineup even if he doesn't come with the power we'd hope for from a first baseman.
I think for a team like the Pirates, they need a guy like Cruz getting atypical production from an up the middle position. Also, need at least league average production from 1b.
I think they will get league ave production, maybe a tick better from Horwitz...Just not in the conventional manner of 25-30 HRs.
Stephen Nesbitt said on the latest NS9 podcast that he thinks his power is better than Logenhagen does. I have no idea but I thought that was interesting
Hopefully, the short RF porch will help
You made me look up his spray chart, which Savant helpfully superimposed on PNC. Looks like he could have had maybe 5 more dingerz, although that assumes playing every game at home. Realistically, could mean a few more.
Doesn’t look like PNC’s LF would hurt him.
Even if he's a 45, might hit like a 50 at home. Given our recent 1B black hole for any sort of production, even less than ideal power production is still valuable if hes providing solid OBP like the hes shown in his small sample
Grade 45 production is essentially the *upside* of Rhyse Hoskins at this point, for whom the Brewers will be paying $18m this year.
Spending money on 1B is about the worst place to put it.
Horwitz is a much better value than Hoskins per at bat. However, Horwitz's split difference against lefties and righties are so astronomical, that skews some of the data. I see Horwitz helping the Pirates get leads early in games so I like having him. Late in games, we will see pitching changes in key situations when Horwitz is up.
Definitely the platoon challenge, but for one, I *hope* Horwitz is that good and two, the new LOOGY rule and a decent platoon-mate hopefully solves the problem.
Add in decent righty protection after him as the cherry on top.
Especially for a team like us, the big markets and do whatever the F they want but we cant afford that kind of gamble.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/unlike-other-giants-oneil-cruz-lives-for-high-pitches/
More "Baseball Wit and Wisdom" as we scatter sidewalk salt waiting for spring:
"Ninety feet between the bases is the nearest thing to perfection that man has yet achieved." Red Smith, sportswriter.
Have you ever wondered what baseball would be like if the bases were 80 feet apart? Or 100 feet? And what about the mound? Would players have evolved differently and we'd have pretty much the same game? Or, would it be much different?
I always found the hand-wringing over the height of the stitches on the ball funny in the context of the fact that every single stadium has wildly differing outfield dimensions and absolutely nobody considers it an issue.
Pirates re-signed C Abrahan Gutierrez. Also signed OF Bryce Johnson and RHP Burch Smith to MiL deals.
Someone help me out on Abrahan Gutierrez. There was some buzz about him going into last year. He looked like a monster when I saw him in spring. In a spring training game I saw him hit a homer (I think a grand slam) that went completely over the roof of the bleachers. Then showed little pop in his bat in the few at bats he had last year in Altoona. Was he hurt last year or has the ship sailed?
Hurt multiple times. He's still has a chance to make it as a good third-string/backup type. Not high upside, but staying healthy would certainly help
Smith seems like a decent depth signing for a minor league contract. Johnson seems like the opposite, a AAA roster spot waster.
Every time they sign a MiL OF, I’m concerned it’ll become an excuse not to upgrade RF.
Mlb.com just dropped a piece on every org's top international prospect, and we are one of the few that doesn't have anyone in their top 10. YDLS is our top at 13 per their rankings, but sad that we keep wasting good shots to add talent from that pipeline
The Nats were very quiet, had done nothing until the Lowe trade on 12/22, followed by the 2 FA's in January. Could BC still surprise?...........Of course not! Ferguson for $3M was a nice add, but we need more.
Come on man, you've been following this team long enough to know their MO.
They'll wait until a week or so before ST and sign whoever is left from Winker, Duval, Verdugo, Grichuk, etc.
They'll do the same with the remaining BP arms.
I like Horwitz and Ferguson, but like you said, they need more.
I wondered about something before Piratesfest.
I remember thinking this last year and they didn’t do much going into Piratesfest.
Shit, I forgot about PirateFest.
Are they doing one this year?
I think it’s this coming weekend.
BA on Morel, who's now #20 on their list, which is based on expected bonus:
"Morell was expected to sign with the Dodgers for a little under $1 million, but with Roki Sasaki’s decision putting things on hold for several teams, the Pirates swooped in late and now are set to sign Morell for close to $1.8 million. Morell has grown into a 6-foot-5, lanky lefthanded power hitter. He can launch balls out of the park deep to his pull side and still has plenty of space to fill out his extremely projectable, broad-shouldered frame, giving him the potential for at least plus raw power that could be a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. Some scouts liked Morel’s hitting ability, though others thought he was still learning to recognize spin and that his long limbs lead to some swing-and-miss, but there’s big power upside if he’s able to keep that in check. Morel is a tick above-average runner, but with his size and long actions he could ultimately shift from shortstop to third base or potentially the outfield."
They also have a "trending up" Venezuelan outfielder named Gabriel Rodriguez, at #56, associated with the Pirates. They say he's a line drive hitter now with a chance to hit for power and stay in CF.
They updated their list right after I was on Northshore 9 talking about the international signing period with barely anything to talk about lol.
The bastards!!
Rockies sign Jake Woodford.
Awesome for Jake Woodford and the Rockies
Jorge Lopez is the pitcher that had a melt down and threw his glove into the stands. Mets released him the next day.
I remember the incident but forgot it was Lopez.