Was just doing a little digging on Taylor Ward- who was apparently “almost” a Pirate last week. Are we sure we want to give up top 10 guy(s) for him???
“Ward is definitely ready for the break. He’s 6-for-49 with one RBI and 20 strikeouts in his last 13 games, dropping his OPS from .773 to .713, and he’s been stuck on 14 homers since June 25.”
Isn’t Connor Joe already Taylor Ward? Salary will be up in the 6-7 million range next year and probably close to 10 after that. I wouldn’t give up much personally
Want to give an extra shoutout to Nola, WTM, Ryan, and Ethan for what they do.
Back when I moved they all really stepped up and handled things on the site so I can focus on the move.
Their contributions are scattered all over the site, and certainly worth mentioning. When I feel like I need a slight break, they are right there to help.
HBD and thank you! I left both Twitter and the other site around the same point last year, so the timing here was perfect. Keep up the great work, y'all (including the commenters)!
Congrats AM & NOLA - BoD has been very successful in it's first year, and everything looks even better for the future - sort of like the Pirates. This 2024 Draft has been unlike the previous 4 from BC and Staff. Lots of Wild Cards, especially in the pitching. Sterling could be difficult to sign, but BC built in a low baller in Eddie Rynders who they took at #112 and BA had him "possibly" in the 200 to 300 grouping. Like Sanford a lot, Hartle is an absolute steal, Taylor came cheaper in slot than many thought, and Matt Ager could turn out to be a steal also. Lots of developmental players for a club that is loaded throughout the system.
At least when it comes to "hard to sign", shouldn't need to worry about that nowadays, especially higher rounds cause it'd blow the pool. I think 1 kid didn't sign last year in all of top 10 rounds?
Great point, thanks for reminding me, and there are one or two in this present group who were "hard to sign" as HS Grads, but should be much more reasonable at this point in their careers.
With a 6 man Rotation of Skenes, Jones, Keller, Falter, Gonzalez, Perez and RP/SP's Ortiz, Priester, Ashcraft, Nicolas, and Burrows (rehabbing), the next week or two could get very interesting. With the Mariners and the Braves absorbing a lot of Marco G's $12 mil, he could be owed only about $1.3 mil from the Pirates at this point (?), and Martin P probably only about $3.5 mil. Who needs starting pitching and has a hitter who can play CF, has multiple years of control remaining, can blend with Reynolds and Suwinski while posting about 10-15 HR's down the stretch?
While moar pahr is always desired, i think CF is one hole we could happily fill with good defense and an average bat, even if not much power output. That alone would be a huge boost
I was thinking they may want to keep Perez as he's been an asset for morale. They can use him or Ortiz to fill out the rotation as needed. I mean at some point Skenes will get a break, maybe that means he still starts every 5th game? But they'll have to do something, he fell just shy of 130 IP last year, and is at 93.2 so far this season (ML + AAA). So he's got what, 70 more IP?
Happy Anniversary as we go to Day 3... So...Any money left? Personally I can't tell but I am assuming not a huge amount for any major offer over 150K. Maybe we will see: 1) High Schooler or College Soph who 'may' consider an overshot (500K +) who are listed in the best remaining, 2) less overslot (300K??) who will get offered what is left when everybody else is signed (Bishop type person), 3) somebody in the organization's nephew or boyfriend of a relative, 4) a lot of players with one or if any luck 2 traits that Pirates can hope on. Given roster limits I am surprised more teams don't draft a lot like my second example(some glimmer of hope) and not worry if only a few sign. We are past where underslot means anything and I am not sure we really need 21 more players if some we are drafting can possibly be signed as a free agents as roster filler if that is needed.
Oof. I'm not sure there's much left over for post-10th overslot. I know last year, majority of the picks got close to slot, that they selected. Even guys we thought may not. So, I'd say they might have around $500K left to play? Roughly $1.2M with the overage, although they didn't even spend to the base limit last year. So, I imagine they'll select some more interesting metric arms, a couple bats, and maybe take a run at a prep or two.
Or a draft eligible sophomore, still a few interesting guys available. With the money in college sports to players now, $150,000 won't cut it to a guy like Jones at lsu or Flores at Texas. Big schools can make that show up legitimately now.
Congrats on the bday, it’s a great spot to talk Bucs and baseball.
I know some folks are upset at the Bucs for passing on numerous corner bats who are inevitably bound for Cooperstown. But per MLB’s top 250 draft prospects, they tied with the most selections (with Miami and Tampa). Let’s see what happens.
Really picked a busy birthday month. Missus was on Monday. BoD today. My son on Thursday. My youngest sister on Sunday. My older sister the following Wednesday. I think there's another 20 birthdays in there somewhere too.
Since it's a first birthday, should get a BoD squad smash cake.
Is Rynders and Taylor something to get excited about? I like the power potential for Rynders but the bat sounds behind. Taylor's #s didn't look to promising but had great #s the year prior
Taylor doesn't make much sense to me. His big thing was speed, and according to Pipeline he lost that with the knee injury. I'm sure the attraction to the Pirates was that he takes lots of pitches, but he doesn't seem to have much power.
Rynders is a lot more interesting, since his main asset is power. Hopefully, the Pirates won't insist on him playing all over the IF and have him focus on 3B.
I like Taylor. Obviously the ACL sapped his double plus speed, but he’s still CF capable. Feels almost like a more refined Siani, who sold out for power earlier in his career.
Which, imagining he goes to Greensboro, presumably won't be all that much CF time available. Forecasting an OF of Lonnie, Bish, and Taylor. There won't be a single ball that finds grass in Greensboro. It'll either be over the wall or caught lol
Anthony, happy first year anniversary! Happy for you that you are doing something you love. I enjoy the content and the interaction with subscribers. Here's to another great year and many more!
Was just doing a little digging on Taylor Ward- who was apparently “almost” a Pirate last week. Are we sure we want to give up top 10 guy(s) for him???
“Ward is definitely ready for the break. He’s 6-for-49 with one RBI and 20 strikeouts in his last 13 games, dropping his OPS from .773 to .713, and he’s been stuck on 14 homers since June 25.”
Isn’t Connor Joe already Taylor Ward? Salary will be up in the 6-7 million range next year and probably close to 10 after that. I wouldn’t give up much personally
Happy Birthday!
I honestly thought this site was older. You guys are so professional it made me feel like this was a well-established site.
Want to give an extra shoutout to Nola, WTM, Ryan, and Ethan for what they do.
Back when I moved they all really stepped up and handled things on the site so I can focus on the move.
Their contributions are scattered all over the site, and certainly worth mentioning. When I feel like I need a slight break, they are right there to help.
Happy bday BoD Squad! Love what you all have built here AM, BnP, Wilbur, etc
HBD and thank you! I left both Twitter and the other site around the same point last year, so the timing here was perfect. Keep up the great work, y'all (including the commenters)!
Congrats AM & NOLA - BoD has been very successful in it's first year, and everything looks even better for the future - sort of like the Pirates. This 2024 Draft has been unlike the previous 4 from BC and Staff. Lots of Wild Cards, especially in the pitching. Sterling could be difficult to sign, but BC built in a low baller in Eddie Rynders who they took at #112 and BA had him "possibly" in the 200 to 300 grouping. Like Sanford a lot, Hartle is an absolute steal, Taylor came cheaper in slot than many thought, and Matt Ager could turn out to be a steal also. Lots of developmental players for a club that is loaded throughout the system.
At least when it comes to "hard to sign", shouldn't need to worry about that nowadays, especially higher rounds cause it'd blow the pool. I think 1 kid didn't sign last year in all of top 10 rounds?
Great point, thanks for reminding me, and there are one or two in this present group who were "hard to sign" as HS Grads, but should be much more reasonable at this point in their careers.
With a 6 man Rotation of Skenes, Jones, Keller, Falter, Gonzalez, Perez and RP/SP's Ortiz, Priester, Ashcraft, Nicolas, and Burrows (rehabbing), the next week or two could get very interesting. With the Mariners and the Braves absorbing a lot of Marco G's $12 mil, he could be owed only about $1.3 mil from the Pirates at this point (?), and Martin P probably only about $3.5 mil. Who needs starting pitching and has a hitter who can play CF, has multiple years of control remaining, can blend with Reynolds and Suwinski while posting about 10-15 HR's down the stretch?
Other than the homeruns, Barrosa of the DBacks is one.
While moar pahr is always desired, i think CF is one hole we could happily fill with good defense and an average bat, even if not much power output. That alone would be a huge boost
I was thinking they may want to keep Perez as he's been an asset for morale. They can use him or Ortiz to fill out the rotation as needed. I mean at some point Skenes will get a break, maybe that means he still starts every 5th game? But they'll have to do something, he fell just shy of 130 IP last year, and is at 93.2 so far this season (ML + AAA). So he's got what, 70 more IP?
Happy Anniversary as we go to Day 3... So...Any money left? Personally I can't tell but I am assuming not a huge amount for any major offer over 150K. Maybe we will see: 1) High Schooler or College Soph who 'may' consider an overshot (500K +) who are listed in the best remaining, 2) less overslot (300K??) who will get offered what is left when everybody else is signed (Bishop type person), 3) somebody in the organization's nephew or boyfriend of a relative, 4) a lot of players with one or if any luck 2 traits that Pirates can hope on. Given roster limits I am surprised more teams don't draft a lot like my second example(some glimmer of hope) and not worry if only a few sign. We are past where underslot means anything and I am not sure we really need 21 more players if some we are drafting can possibly be signed as a free agents as roster filler if that is needed.
Oof. I'm not sure there's much left over for post-10th overslot. I know last year, majority of the picks got close to slot, that they selected. Even guys we thought may not. So, I'd say they might have around $500K left to play? Roughly $1.2M with the overage, although they didn't even spend to the base limit last year. So, I imagine they'll select some more interesting metric arms, a couple bats, and maybe take a run at a prep or two.
Or a draft eligible sophomore, still a few interesting guys available. With the money in college sports to players now, $150,000 won't cut it to a guy like Jones at lsu or Flores at Texas. Big schools can make that show up legitimately now.
Congrats on the bday, it’s a great spot to talk Bucs and baseball.
I know some folks are upset at the Bucs for passing on numerous corner bats who are inevitably bound for Cooperstown. But per MLB’s top 250 draft prospects, they tied with the most selections (with Miami and Tampa). Let’s see what happens.
Congrats to the Bucs on Deck crew! Here's to a great second year!
Happy B-Day, BOD!
Really picked a busy birthday month. Missus was on Monday. BoD today. My son on Thursday. My youngest sister on Sunday. My older sister the following Wednesday. I think there's another 20 birthdays in there somewhere too.
Since it's a first birthday, should get a BoD squad smash cake.
Had mine and so did my wife earlier this month, too. Happy 1 year!
My mom yesterday in the group snapchat after saying happy birthday: "It's a busy month, or well, 9 months ago was"
Me: *facepalm*
Is Rynders and Taylor something to get excited about? I like the power potential for Rynders but the bat sounds behind. Taylor's #s didn't look to promising but had great #s the year prior
I like what Taylor represents, and that’s getting more athletes into the system.
But I’m probably more excited about Rynders than Taylor.
Nola is super excited about him tho
Taylor doesn't make much sense to me. His big thing was speed, and according to Pipeline he lost that with the knee injury. I'm sure the attraction to the Pirates was that he takes lots of pitches, but he doesn't seem to have much power.
Rynders is a lot more interesting, since his main asset is power. Hopefully, the Pirates won't insist on him playing all over the IF and have him focus on 3B.
Taylor is still really fast. At least fast for a baseball player
“he improved his speed stock at the MLB combine when he ran 3.609 in the 30-yard dash to record the fifth fastest time at the event.”
https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/clemson/2024/07/15/will-taylor-pittsburgh-pirates-mlb-draft-2024-clemson-baseball/74333824007/
That's good. Pipeline doesn't seem to have the best info on this.
I like Taylor. Obviously the ACL sapped his double plus speed, but he’s still CF capable. Feels almost like a more refined Siani, who sold out for power earlier in his career.
i wonder if he can get some of the speed back with more pro training
Which, imagining he goes to Greensboro, presumably won't be all that much CF time available. Forecasting an OF of Lonnie, Bish, and Taylor. There won't be a single ball that finds grass in Greensboro. It'll either be over the wall or caught lol
Congrats to the 1st year, keep it going!
Anthony, happy first year anniversary! Happy for you that you are doing something you love. I enjoy the content and the interaction with subscribers. Here's to another great year and many more!
Congratulations on your first anniversary. Many happy returns.
Happy B-Day!