“If we’re in it at the end and pushing into the postseason, it is most likely because we’re a really good run prevention team, and we can win close, low-scoring games,” Cherington said. “That’s probably how we’re going to do it.”
He has said this multiple times in not so different ways. THIS was/is their strategy for the 2024 season. It epitomizes baseball on a budget. The fact that he continually reinforces this theme likely means they have no intention on pivoting. THAT is the real issue.
Even ole friend Jose Soriano has basically been as good as Jared Jones after basically not getting any work as a starter since his 2019 season in A-ball.
Maybe the relievers arms are actually stronger because they didn't throw a lot of innings last year, but I doubt it. We are taught to believe the opposite. It will be interesting to see how guys like Crochet and Reynaldo Lopez perform the second half. If they break down, this is probably what most people expect. If they stay strong second half, more teams might re-think some of their innings usage for pitchers.
I've been going to Curve games for the last 5 years, but there's no reason for me to making the trip this season. I don't see a single player that will be playing for PGH.
Admittingly, I didn't see the McAdoo HR, I checked out after his first 2 ABs. He did not look good. 3 pitch K for his 1st AB vs a lefty, flinched pretty good on a heater on the inside corner for the backwards k. 2nd AB not much better. Misplayed a ball badly in RF that led to a triple. He's a large unit, but not smooth or fluid. He appears to be the type that takes advantage of lesser arms making mistake pitches and will look bad vs legit prospects. Looks very much AAAA.
I always like when a GM is candid, and therefore liked this acknowledgment from Cherington about McAdoo (from a story in the PG):
“Candidly, when we drafted him, I didn't know much about him. Met him when he signed. Once you take him in the 13th round or whatever, then you go back and look a little deeper. Certainly he's performed all his life. He's got some interesting athletic bloodlines. Great kid…”
Glad to see Liover Peguero twice in the Exit Velo category with both hits being line drives of 106+ mph. Problem was they were both line drives caught by the defense. I guess that is what he is doing this year at AAA - trying to make more consistent contact, and develop the ability to put some lift into his swings. Still a young 23.
The Pirates are 40-43 and need to put together a winning streak to try to break out from the pack seeking Wild Card slots. Just some OPS numbers of each player's Last 15 games can bring the problem into focus. Four (4) players in the .400's - MAT .440, Hayes .441, Suwinski .449, Grandal .467.
Three (3) players in the .500's - Joe .533, Triolo .549, Gonzales .593. I could have added Olivares who is just above .600 at .606. So, we are depending upon Cruz .702, Cutch .774, Tellez .796, and our hero, Bryan Reynolds at 1.061. One hitter with an OPS above .800 is just not going to get it done!
The Pirates need at least another consistent bat and we need a Center Fielder. I would think about JJ Bleday in his 2nd year of MLB Service, and he is having a solid year with the Oakland Athletics. 36 EBH in just over 300 AB - 22 doubles, 3 triples, 11 HR with 36 BB and only 66 K. On defense he is .982 in CF with 3 Outfield Assists and 4 errors. Slightly under league average in fielding percentage, but above league average in RF/9. Oakland needs a lot - and the Pirates have many options to accommodate. If the asking price is too high, Jazz Chisholm is having a solid year in Florida, and will be in his 2nd year of Arb after 2024. He is making $2.6 mil in 2024.
I'm coming around on Jazz depending on the exact pieces it would take. I feel like he plays the game with passion, and is outgoing. For not particular reason, it feels like he may keep Cruz having fun and would gel with Cutch too. Having a 20/20 guy on the team also feels more like what we should be doing to be properly aggressive on the base paths to manufacture runs.
I don't see a lot of other viable / attainable individuals either....
He did have a decent season with the Pirates in '23, but he is in his age 29 season. Before I brought him up, I would give CF Matt Gorski, 26, a chance. He is striking out a bunch, but already has 34 EBH including 14 HR in only 217 AB at Indy. Regardless, I would rather they go after a full time CF in trade immediately, before they go back to either Palacios or Gorski
Not arguing that point, but his performance so far at AAA this year is deserving of an opportunity in the SHOW! A HR every 15 AB? It's not like guys like MAT and Ski have lit it up this year and set the bar at an impossibly high level.
Gorski looked like a surprisingly good fielder the 10 days I saw him and a cannon for an arm. He had days where he looked like a beast and the plate and others where he looked lost. I don't know how much of that dealt with the quality of pitchers, the type of pitches he saw, or some other reason.
Nice finish by Rockies in the 10th. A lot of good hitting in that ballgame.
a
b
Cherington is such a born loser:
“If we’re in it at the end and pushing into the postseason, it is most likely because we’re a really good run prevention team, and we can win close, low-scoring games,” Cherington said. “That’s probably how we’re going to do it.”
He has said this multiple times in not so different ways. THIS was/is their strategy for the 2024 season. It epitomizes baseball on a budget. The fact that he continually reinforces this theme likely means they have no intention on pivoting. THAT is the real issue.
sources say Ian Happ plans are in the works
Anyone notice the number of successful reliver>starter conversions this year?
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/zips-midseason-movers-and-shakers-pitchers/
Even ole friend Jose Soriano has basically been as good as Jared Jones after basically not getting any work as a starter since his 2019 season in A-ball.
Gonna be interesting to see how these hold up.
Maybe the relievers arms are actually stronger because they didn't throw a lot of innings last year, but I doubt it. We are taught to believe the opposite. It will be interesting to see how guys like Crochet and Reynaldo Lopez perform the second half. If they break down, this is probably what most people expect. If they stay strong second half, more teams might re-think some of their innings usage for pitchers.
Happy Bobby Bo Day!
11 more years.
My good buddy is a Mets fan whose anniversary happens to be on Bobby Bo day. Who said baseball can’t be romantic?
Can’t you imagine some 20-odd intern going over the books and thinking, Who tf is this guy?
Way too many off days in this season :((
Good day for draft content:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2024-mlb-mock-draft-5-0-updated-first-round-picks-after-college-world-series/
James Wood (#3 MLB prospect) makes debut tonite for Nats......there, I've got my baseball fix for the off day!
Came here to post this. I do wonder, even if it has no impact on his future, if Montgomery’s injury causes a mini slide like that.
Mitch Jebb sighting!
The Altoona game was on PSN last night
I've been going to Curve games for the last 5 years, but there's no reason for me to making the trip this season. I don't see a single player that will be playing for PGH.
Admittingly, I didn't see the McAdoo HR, I checked out after his first 2 ABs. He did not look good. 3 pitch K for his 1st AB vs a lefty, flinched pretty good on a heater on the inside corner for the backwards k. 2nd AB not much better. Misplayed a ball badly in RF that led to a triple. He's a large unit, but not smooth or fluid. He appears to be the type that takes advantage of lesser arms making mistake pitches and will look bad vs legit prospects. Looks very much AAAA.
Damn, hopefully it was just a bad night.
I always like when a GM is candid, and therefore liked this acknowledgment from Cherington about McAdoo (from a story in the PG):
“Candidly, when we drafted him, I didn't know much about him. Met him when he signed. Once you take him in the 13th round or whatever, then you go back and look a little deeper. Certainly he's performed all his life. He's got some interesting athletic bloodlines. Great kid…”
Glad to see Liover Peguero twice in the Exit Velo category with both hits being line drives of 106+ mph. Problem was they were both line drives caught by the defense. I guess that is what he is doing this year at AAA - trying to make more consistent contact, and develop the ability to put some lift into his swings. Still a young 23.
The Pirates are 40-43 and need to put together a winning streak to try to break out from the pack seeking Wild Card slots. Just some OPS numbers of each player's Last 15 games can bring the problem into focus. Four (4) players in the .400's - MAT .440, Hayes .441, Suwinski .449, Grandal .467.
Three (3) players in the .500's - Joe .533, Triolo .549, Gonzales .593. I could have added Olivares who is just above .600 at .606. So, we are depending upon Cruz .702, Cutch .774, Tellez .796, and our hero, Bryan Reynolds at 1.061. One hitter with an OPS above .800 is just not going to get it done!
The Pirates need at least another consistent bat and we need a Center Fielder. I would think about JJ Bleday in his 2nd year of MLB Service, and he is having a solid year with the Oakland Athletics. 36 EBH in just over 300 AB - 22 doubles, 3 triples, 11 HR with 36 BB and only 66 K. On defense he is .982 in CF with 3 Outfield Assists and 4 errors. Slightly under league average in fielding percentage, but above league average in RF/9. Oakland needs a lot - and the Pirates have many options to accommodate. If the asking price is too high, Jazz Chisholm is having a solid year in Florida, and will be in his 2nd year of Arb after 2024. He is making $2.6 mil in 2024.
After watching Luis Robert absolutely obliterate a baseball some 450+ feet this weekend, I’m ready to sell the whole damn farm for him.
Just another reason I could never be a GM.
But he is exactly what our lineup needs!
I'm coming around on Jazz depending on the exact pieces it would take. I feel like he plays the game with passion, and is outgoing. For not particular reason, it feels like he may keep Cruz having fun and would gel with Cutch too. Having a 20/20 guy on the team also feels more like what we should be doing to be properly aggressive on the base paths to manufacture runs.
I don't see a lot of other viable / attainable individuals either....
what are we waiting for to call up Palacios?
Guessing he's up for the Cards series and jack is down.
As much as i dont believe in palacios, this feels like the right move
He did have a decent season with the Pirates in '23, but he is in his age 29 season. Before I brought him up, I would give CF Matt Gorski, 26, a chance. He is striking out a bunch, but already has 34 EBH including 14 HR in only 217 AB at Indy. Regardless, I would rather they go after a full time CF in trade immediately, before they go back to either Palacios or Gorski
Man, MLB arms are nastier than we've ever seen...Gorski would more than likely get thoroughly embarrassed.
Not arguing that point, but his performance so far at AAA this year is deserving of an opportunity in the SHOW! A HR every 15 AB? It's not like guys like MAT and Ski have lit it up this year and set the bar at an impossibly high level.
Gorski looked like a surprisingly good fielder the 10 days I saw him and a cannon for an arm. He had days where he looked like a beast and the plate and others where he looked lost. I don't know how much of that dealt with the quality of pitchers, the type of pitches he saw, or some other reason.
it just seems that we need his heroics with all these one run extra innings games
Just do something. When the outfield offense is something like 3rd worst in MLB, it’s way past time to make a change.