Here are some of my observations from spring the last 2 days.
1) Termarr took infield practice for the first time at short today and it looked very natural.
2) Before I got there, a person told me Henry hit everything to right field for a round. I asked if his stance was different and was told no.
3) Termarr and Konner Griffin have been paired together pretty much the entire time. Imo, Termarr is a great role model on how to treat fans. Griffin stayed to make sure that everyone that wanted an autograph got one.
4) Paul Skenes is protected by someone away from the fans. I don't think he has said a word or signed for a fan. All business..... which I am ok with it, he pitches like last year.
5) Expect the Pirates to try to stretch out Mlodzinski's innings this year.
6) Imo, the sound off Nick Yorke's bat is the sound of a hitter.
On 2 — there’s a Shelton interview at DKPS where he specifically talks about the BP. Says he can hit it out to right center and has trouble when he’s pulling everything. They want him spraying it around.
Good info. I like it. I still think his stance would have changed more than it has. Will you be at practice tomorrow. It would be cool to meet you some time.
Every single article I’ve read about him says the same thing: if he can hit he’s a superstar. But can he hit? I can’t wait to see how he starts off the season once real games start.
Any notice of fielding drills at Pirate City or at the Marauder's Stadium trying to get a 1B ready by the time games begin? I've checked and Billy Cook has the most experience at 1B in 2024 for the AAA teams of both the Orioles (42 Games, .994) and Pirates AAA (6 Games, 1.000), and then 5 Games at 1B at the MLB level (.969) for the Pirates in Sep where he also had 2 doubles and 3 HR in 49 AB.
I noticed for one round of at bats Hall was intentionally trying to spray hits around the field. I liked seeing that to go along with the power you mentioned.
Darick Hall and Matt Gorski are getting most of the infield practice at first base so far, but I don't think that means too much. I think this early they are going to try to keep the catchers together, the outfielders together, and even keep Triolo at third. This way they practice with their groups. Maybe when all of the big dogs show up to camp they will do more shuffling around. I just have a good feeling about Endy this year. I know Shelton said he is leaving Endy at catch, but personally I would be fine with half our first base at bats going to a catcher.
Endy is a favorite of mine and has been since the Pirates got him from the Mets as a part of the Joe Musgrove trade prior to the 2021 season. He came in and hit for an 892 OPS at A ball leading the team with 25 doubles, 6 triples, tied for the lead with 15 HR, and leading the team with 73 RBI. In 2022 in A+ he was 926 OPS with 23 doubles 16 HR. They jumped him to AAA in 2023 and he did well there also - then the injury.
I think that for now, Endy has to re-acquaint himself with the pitching staff. He should get some reps at 1B in ST along with Billy Cook, and if he can get back to where he was with the bat, the Pirates will have a solid player. Bart did very well hitting for the Bucs last year and deserves the start behind the plate.
Last year playing first, he made a catch jumping into the stands that not too many players could have made. He is pretty good there too, but I get what you are saying.
It was, his second play he let the second basemen field a ball and covered the bag (Tellez would have gone for it and made it a much more difficult play).
I wish I could post photos in the comments. I got a few from a PFP session today that included Skenes in a group of pitchers. He looks like a man among boys. There are a couple where he's standing right behind Keller, who's 6'3", 220, and Skenes looks like a mountain behind him. It's not so much that he's taller, he's just got a very big, powerful frame.
Here are some of my observations from spring the last 2 days.
1) Termarr took infield practice for the first time at short today and it looked very natural.
2) Before I got there, a person told me Henry hit everything to right field for a round. I asked if his stance was different and was told no.
3) Termarr and Konner Griffin have been paired together pretty much the entire time. Imo, Termarr is a great role model on how to treat fans. Griffin stayed to make sure that everyone that wanted an autograph got one.
4) Paul Skenes is protected by someone away from the fans. I don't think he has said a word or signed for a fan. All business..... which I am ok with it, he pitches like last year.
5) Expect the Pirates to try to stretch out Mlodzinski's innings this year.
6) Imo, the sound off Nick Yorke's bat is the sound of a hitter.
On 2 — there’s a Shelton interview at DKPS where he specifically talks about the BP. Says he can hit it out to right center and has trouble when he’s pulling everything. They want him spraying it around.
Good info. I like it. I still think his stance would have changed more than it has. Will you be at practice tomorrow. It would be cool to meet you some time.
Can't make it tomorrow or Tuesday. Should be there Wed if you're there. Look for a guy with a camera and a cap with a picture of a quail on it.
Damn quails... always stirring up trouble.
Skenes has the look of a throwback Ace in the mold of Seaver, Ryan, Gibson, or Koufax just to name some who come quickly to mind.
I hope he’s about to paint his masterpiece. I’m so here for it!
Chase Shores with a good first outing for Lsu today. 5ip 3h 1er 0bb 7k. If his control is good, he'll be a top 15 pick.
William Schmidt threw 2.2 innings as well. 2.2ip 1h 0er 0bb 4k. For Lsu today, top ranked prep pitcher last year.
The player I want to see the most at ST is Konnor Griffin. The tools. Only age 18 but looks 23. Gifted.
Every single article I’ve read about him says the same thing: if he can hit he’s a superstar. But can he hit? I can’t wait to see how he starts off the season once real games start.
He hits with as much authority in batting practice as anyone, but we haven't seen him go against major league pitching yet.
Pham has arrived at camp!! No sign of Cutch yet (per reports).
Any notice of fielding drills at Pirate City or at the Marauder's Stadium trying to get a 1B ready by the time games begin? I've checked and Billy Cook has the most experience at 1B in 2024 for the AAA teams of both the Orioles (42 Games, .994) and Pirates AAA (6 Games, 1.000), and then 5 Games at 1B at the MLB level (.969) for the Pirates in Sep where he also had 2 doubles and 3 HR in 49 AB.
Cook has strictly been with the OFs so far. Today Nunez joined Hall and Gorski at 1B.
Hall has serious power . . . in BP. Hitting the ball harder than anybody I’ve seen.
I noticed for one round of at bats Hall was intentionally trying to spray hits around the field. I liked seeing that to go along with the power you mentioned.
I’m thinking Hall has inside track to start ST. You?
That’s my best guess. They seem determined to send Yorke and Cook to AAA.
Darick Hall and Matt Gorski are getting most of the infield practice at first base so far, but I don't think that means too much. I think this early they are going to try to keep the catchers together, the outfielders together, and even keep Triolo at third. This way they practice with their groups. Maybe when all of the big dogs show up to camp they will do more shuffling around. I just have a good feeling about Endy this year. I know Shelton said he is leaving Endy at catch, but personally I would be fine with half our first base at bats going to a catcher.
How’s Endy looking physically after the year off? Bit more man strength added to the frame?
A little bit. I am more impressed with his arm and how well he is moving.
I’ve been reading that, but I haven’t seen him in person yet.
Endy is a favorite of mine and has been since the Pirates got him from the Mets as a part of the Joe Musgrove trade prior to the 2021 season. He came in and hit for an 892 OPS at A ball leading the team with 25 doubles, 6 triples, tied for the lead with 15 HR, and leading the team with 73 RBI. In 2022 in A+ he was 926 OPS with 23 doubles 16 HR. They jumped him to AAA in 2023 and he did well there also - then the injury.
I think that for now, Endy has to re-acquaint himself with the pitching staff. He should get some reps at 1B in ST along with Billy Cook, and if he can get back to where he was with the bat, the Pirates will have a solid player. Bart did very well hitting for the Bucs last year and deserves the start behind the plate.
Thank you for the eyeball report
The way he plays the outfield, it would almost be a crime to confine him to the cold corner.
Last year playing first, he made a catch jumping into the stands that not too many players could have made. He is pretty good there too, but I get what you are saying.
I believe that was his very first play.
It was, his second play he let the second basemen field a ball and covered the bag (Tellez would have gone for it and made it a much more difficult play).
As the old Billy Idol MTV commercial (circa 1985) use to say; “too much is never enough!”
So Skenes repertoire this season is:
* Triple digit 4-seam fastball
* Splinker (most valuable pitch in MLB)
* Slider
* Curveball
* Change Up
* Two-Seam fastball
* Cutter
Ooh, this is going to be a fun ride.
I wish I could post photos in the comments. I got a few from a PFP session today that included Skenes in a group of pitchers. He looks like a man among boys. There are a couple where he's standing right behind Keller, who's 6'3", 220, and Skenes looks like a mountain behind him. It's not so much that he's taller, he's just got a very big, powerful frame.