A tough loss for the Pirates. Bailey Falter pitched a good game and Mattson and Shugart were VG out of the BP. Ryan Borucki came in with a 5-3 lead and quickly gave up 3 Hits, a Walk, and 3 runs in less than an inning of work leading to the Pirates losing 6-5. He needs to turn that around quickly.
Great Exit velocities with all 5 being for hits including the 122.9 on a HR into the Allegheny from Oneil Cruz - fastest of the Statcast Era. He entered 2025 with 2.110 years of MLB Service, so his Arbitration years will begin in 2026. If we hope to attempt to sign him for at least his first and second years of Free Agency, we should have been in the planning stage already. Also good to see Tommy Pham (remember him?) getting into the act with 2 hits over 100 mph off the bat, and Adam Frazier also sweetening the "trade deadline" pot.
Good to see Jack Brannigan and Termarr Johnson listed in the Best Hitters in AA
Forgot to mention the Pirates are going on a road trip to play 3 in Arizona and 3 in San Diego. Both teams are hitting a ton, but have had pitching issues. Arizona has Kelly, Burnes, Gallen, and Pfaadt, but Kelly is 36 and carrying the load, while the other 3 are under-performing. San Diego has 2 or 3 SP's out injured, and they also could use a #3 or better SP. Down the stretch, pitching will be in great need for both of these teams who have a strong chance to make the playoffs.
That’s a hell of a rotation for Arizona. I even saw Ryne Nelson hold the mighty Dodgers in check a few weeks back, not sure if that was a spot start or if he’s getting a crack in the rotation.
How ‘bout their bullpen leader in appearances and second in ERA…Jalen Beeks.
In fWAR, Kelly is a 1.0, Burnes is a 0.4 (very low for what was expected), and Pfaadt is next highest around -0.1. Burnes and Gallen are not the leaders so far that the Ownership and GM hoped they would be. Kelly is in his last year, and I think they would be high on somebody like Mitch Keller as a now and future middle of the Rotation SP. Mitch is currently 15th among all of the MLB SP's on FG.
Beeks was a very nice get for $1.25 mil. I guess the Pirates and Houston are kicking themselves over letting him go. They have the pitching and D, but for some reason Burnes and Gallen have not put it together yet, and I doubt the D Backs can afford to wait in the NL West. I think they will come after Keller - never have enough Pitching.
Reed and Sterling had decent outings in the fcl today. By their box scores.
The pirates will be playing Arizona to determine which team is the best. I will call it "THE BATTLE FOR THE BOTTOM!"
The NL West teams usually romp (sweep) over Pirates, but Dbacks have been struggling. Prediction 2-4 on this trip.
Happy Memorial Day wishes to all and especially to fellow Veterans.
Harumph!
A tough loss for the Pirates. Bailey Falter pitched a good game and Mattson and Shugart were VG out of the BP. Ryan Borucki came in with a 5-3 lead and quickly gave up 3 Hits, a Walk, and 3 runs in less than an inning of work leading to the Pirates losing 6-5. He needs to turn that around quickly.
Great Exit velocities with all 5 being for hits including the 122.9 on a HR into the Allegheny from Oneil Cruz - fastest of the Statcast Era. He entered 2025 with 2.110 years of MLB Service, so his Arbitration years will begin in 2026. If we hope to attempt to sign him for at least his first and second years of Free Agency, we should have been in the planning stage already. Also good to see Tommy Pham (remember him?) getting into the act with 2 hits over 100 mph off the bat, and Adam Frazier also sweetening the "trade deadline" pot.
Good to see Jack Brannigan and Termarr Johnson listed in the Best Hitters in AA
Forgot to mention the Pirates are going on a road trip to play 3 in Arizona and 3 in San Diego. Both teams are hitting a ton, but have had pitching issues. Arizona has Kelly, Burnes, Gallen, and Pfaadt, but Kelly is 36 and carrying the load, while the other 3 are under-performing. San Diego has 2 or 3 SP's out injured, and they also could use a #3 or better SP. Down the stretch, pitching will be in great need for both of these teams who have a strong chance to make the playoffs.
That’s a hell of a rotation for Arizona. I even saw Ryne Nelson hold the mighty Dodgers in check a few weeks back, not sure if that was a spot start or if he’s getting a crack in the rotation.
How ‘bout their bullpen leader in appearances and second in ERA…Jalen Beeks.
In fWAR, Kelly is a 1.0, Burnes is a 0.4 (very low for what was expected), and Pfaadt is next highest around -0.1. Burnes and Gallen are not the leaders so far that the Ownership and GM hoped they would be. Kelly is in his last year, and I think they would be high on somebody like Mitch Keller as a now and future middle of the Rotation SP. Mitch is currently 15th among all of the MLB SP's on FG.
Beeks was a very nice get for $1.25 mil. I guess the Pirates and Houston are kicking themselves over letting him go. They have the pitching and D, but for some reason Burnes and Gallen have not put it together yet, and I doubt the D Backs can afford to wait in the NL West. I think they will come after Keller - never have enough Pitching.
The AZ broadcast guys have been raving about Beeks all year. I assume he's in for some regression -- maybe this week.....
Nelson's starting tonite. Then Burnes and Gallen. We have Heaney, Burrows and Skenes.
Pirates are coming to town to help them get well.