He may be a good person, but on what planet do the Bucs need another weak hitting middle infielder? Is this because Peguero got hurt trying to play CF so they need the depth in Indy?
I'm guessing they think they can now pass him through waivers when they bring up Gonzales or Yorke. I can't imagine that Simon would leapfrog either on the depth chart.
He'll be an easy guy to root for, but that probably means that I'll just be frustrated that he's not given more of an opportunity to play at the MLB level. Though I guess with the way Kelly has used Canario and Davis, there is more hope than there used to be.
They just DFA'd Rainey. So one day they stick with him in one of the biggest situations of the season, and the next they're willing to say goodbye. How can we trust their judgement when they don't even seem to trust their judgement.
"So one day they stick with him in one of the biggest situations of the season, and the next they're willing to say goodbye."
Hard to overstate just what this says about them. And the GM is constantly prattling about how they don't need to make changes because they like the team they have.
Kelly should have pulled him after his 2nd walk. He left him out there for no good reason. Again, Kelly is only been a manager for 25 games. I know it’s a learning mistake.
There is no rhyme or reason to anything they do. Everyday its spin the wheel of misfortune to see what they do next. One thing that is for certain though is that no utilityman/2Bman can pass through waivers on Cherington's watch.
So, who, aside from Ben Cherington, woke up this morning and thought, "You know what the Pirates need? They need to replace Jarod Triolo with a switch-hitting version of Jared Triolo who makes lots of errors and can only play 2B."
Cherington -- Damn, who is this Rainey guy, anyway? Now I'm going to get questions about why we blew the game. DFA him now. But claim somebody off waivers so we can say we did it because we wanted the waiver guy and not because Rainey was a mistake. Who's on waivers?
Intern -- Some guy named Ronny Simon.
Cherington -- Randall Simon? Isn't he a first baseman? Everybody has to play second on this team. Can he play there?
My fantasy baseball update says Jarren Duran for the BoSox has sparked the interest of the Padres. Seems a decent player. Blocking Roman Anthony. Theoretical return Ethan Salas. Not sure how good Salas is. Or how Padres always have a stockpile to trade. Wonder what the Bucs would need to give up.
When he gave the kid his bat, he immediately became my favorite player, albeit tied with Cutch. When 22 hangs it up, I'll change my screen name to BoozeCruz.
Jason Mackey’s PG column is a must read. He picks apart DK’s poor decision making yesterday, but more importantly, provides all of the important numbers on the consistently poor bullpen construction of the current regime contrasted with the outstanding job NH did for much of his time here.
Almost for certain had we had a good bullpen last year we would have been .500 or better, and with a better bullpen this year we would have survived the garish offensive numbers and would have been in a place to, perhaps, work ourselves back into some kind of contention. It makes no sense to build a strong starting rotation, hoping this will anchor a team, if you don’t have a bullpen that can nail down most of those close games.
Like most things in life, balance and synergy create value. An average offense combined with average starting pitching and an average bullpen would likely translate into an above average team. I get leaning into your strengths, but their incompetence for roster building is off the charts.
Thanks for the link -- Mackey makes legit points there. On the postgame yesterday I think Brault mentioned that the pirates had the lead in 18 games that they ultimately lost. 18! Not sure that's all on the bullpen (I.e., the offense doesn't put up many runs), but at this stage of the season, 18 accounts for (math) the other 1/3 of games that aren't wins/losses (the adage that all teams win 1/3, lose 1/3, etc)
Amen. I continue to be more pissed about the bullpen than the offense.
Tanner f'n Rainey and Ryan Borwhateveryouspellit are like 2 and 3 up right now depending on where David Bednar's competency is at any given time. Just a shitshow.
As Wilkin Ramos languishes in AA for the third straight year, putting up a sub 2 ERA and a WHIP around 1.0 and Carmen Mlodzinski sits in AAA trying to master the art of being a AAAA starter instead of a lights out reliever.
Good to see the kids sharing? NG went to AAA to rehab - he is now a Shortstop. 4 games now. Liover Peguero who was our Shortstop at the MLB level in 2023, has discovered that he is now a First Baseman, 4 games now. BC Managing from the GM Office? Of course!
Nice cool and sunny Sunday for baseball in Toon Town yesterday.
Some crazyball to report.
Po Yu Chen went 6 innings and gave up three bombs... two to some guy named Zach Erhard. To be fairk, there was a good breeze out but I'm not sure it mattered.
The Sea Dongs' starter was good. Monegro. But we got to him in the 6th with some help from the umpires. You see, Termarr had actually struck out in the at bat he was credited with the home run ... (More on that in a minute.) It was on a 3-2 pitch where Termar had checked his swing, but the ball deflected off the bat into the catcher's glove. Which may or may not have been a strike out. Can you strike out on a foul ball you may or may not have checked your swing on? I JUST DON'T KNOW.
But the Sea Dongs' Catcher and Monegro were livid that the inning should have been over and Termarr just stood there looking innocent, you know.
The umps gathered together and it went sommat like this:
Ump 1: Did you see anything?
Ump 2: I didn't see anything. Did you see anything?
Crew Chief: I didn't see anything.
Ump 1: But. If on a 3-2 pitch it is not fouled off and not otherwise a strike should the runner not take his base.
Crew Chief: All right smart-ass, who do you think you are?
Ump 1: Sorry chief.
Ump 2: Can we say it just didn't happen?
Crew Chief: Yeah. It never happened. I like that.
Ump 1: We can assert that the catcher dropped the ball.
Crew Chief: Keep it up, rookie, and you'll be rubbing down a hundred baseballs in the morning.
Ump 1: Sorry Chief...
Sea Dongs' Manager: What the hell, you guys. The inning is over. My starter is gonna be mad. Where did you get your license at, Toon-Town Sports and Athletic Officials?
Crew Chief: Coach, the only reason you're not gettin' the heave ho is you're probably right. But at this point, we're just gonna do a do over, okay?
Monegro: A DO OVER???!!! That makes me MAD!
Manager: I tol' you he'd be mad.
Catcher: A DO OVER??? That was a strike out. Besides, this is not sand lot baseball. There are no do overs!
Crew Chief: This is Toon-Town, son. Many strange things occur in Toon-Town.
Monegro was seriously mumbling under his breath when the game resumed and he was so mad he just threw a fastball center cut and Termarr just demolished it... A NO Doubter... straight through the roller coaster beyond the right field wall. Just a monster shot.
And the crowd is going wild making fun of the pitcher and the catcher and dancing and showing their bums at them, as is a mating ritual in Toon-Town, but when twerked at a baseball game it is a sign of disrespect.
Oh. The Umps were not done.
In the seventh, with Brendan Dixon on second and Shawn Ross on first, Maikol Escotto smashes a seriously hairy line drive to deep center. The Sea Dongs' center fielder is there he gloves the ball. He drops the ball. He picks up the ball. Mayhem ensues as none of the umps had ruled catch or no catch. Ross is running back and forth ten yards from second base with his arms in the air screaming, "What?" "What?" He starts running back to first but Escotto is standing on the bag. He turns around and runs the other direction, screaming "What?" "What?"
Meanwhile, Brendan Dixon scores kind of walking backward watching it all unfold.
Listen... I'm not kidding it happened just like this! Toon baseball, man.
So Ross is standing on second and Escotto is on First. Dixon is standing on home plate talking to the catcher who is now so frustrated he can't make words.
The umps get together.
It is officially ruled the hardest hit, furthest single in Altoona Curve history. When. In actuality, I think the center fielder dropped the ball on the transfer. But it was a complete cluster for the second inning in a row.
And, neatly, after surrendering the lead in the 8th. The Tuna loaded the bases and tied it again on a hit batter. Then Shawn Ross knocks a two run single. Wilkin Ramos closed it out for an otherwise normal win at People's Natural Gas Park in Toon Town.
Over And Out!
_________________________
"Well. Like the Romans always say... E Pluribus Uranium."
My take from all of this... What in the infernal hell is Wilkin Ramos doing in AA? Why is he not in AAA on the cusp of joining the major-league team? Is there any aspect of their player development and management system that is not a clownshow?
He has 51 appearances now in AA, three seasons in a row, with a very sub 2 ERA. He is a groundball pitcher. FIP and xFIP hate groundball pitchers and the point is not to get Ks as much as groundballs. He has given up something like 6 HRs in 6 years.
All I know is that the OOTPB engine turns him into a double-play... get out of a jam.. machine. He is like Jared Hughes on steroids and Human Growth Hormone.
Why did they bring in Ashcraft to start the 7th. He had 5 days rest( 3 innings). They piggyback him last start. My whole thing is they just kept Rainey in there way too long. And watching him walk batters with a pitches so far out of the strike zone was terrible. I could tell from my TV, with the rest of you, he did not have it. You wanna to win a series.
Rainey had not earned my circle of trust--when he came in, I said to my daughter that I didn't trust him but then there were only a couple of relievers I did trust so let's see how it goes. After checking his May stats, I can see why Kelly trusted him.
However, I agree that a good manager needs to be able to react much quicker when it's clear that a reliever doesn't have it. That was one of my major concerns with Shelton and I've lost a little bit of hope in Kelly after yesterday. Disappointing because given Kelly's background and personality, I really want to see him succeed.
Yeah... but at least the Pirates didn't lose in the 9th inning. Those losses count a lot more than the games that they lose in the 7th inning. And at least they didn't waste Santana or Bednar in a bases loaded situation in the 7th inning, so they should be well-rested the next time the Pirates have the lead in the 8th and 9th... sometime around June 19th.
I caught a guy called "And It's Gone" on YouTube earlier with his mock draft and ML comps. He had the Pirates taking Hernandez with the comp being Zack Wheeler. I'm in on that.
I agree with your take on Griffin and how much time he should spend in Greensboro.
Do you think Sandford's wide stance leads to more hit by pitches? I knew a guy when I was young that used a wide no stride and he got hit all the time. (He picked it up from the Doyle baseball camps in the early 90's).
It could. I could see how it could. Think we have to take into account how bad the control has been in the FCL this year. Feels like way more wildness than usual.
If the Pirates had any hope of making the playoffs, Moreta may have been moved faster, but no reason to rush him at this point. The Pirates led by BC are probably looking at the trade deadline right now - as they should be at this point.
* We have $19.6 mil invested in IKF, Heaney, Pham, Frazier, and Rainey. BC is looking to get at least $8 mil back. Heaney will bring back at least the 40% remaining on his $5.25 mil, and could very well bring a possible prospect in additional return. IKF should be good for his 40% as will Frazier. Would a team invest $1.6 mil to get Pham for Aug and Sep- I think so. So, in that first group we get our $8 mil back and a prospect.
* Do the Pirates allow their arm to be twisted to give up Mitch Keller? It would return $6 mil of his $15 mil contract for 2025, and that team would take on the remaining $54.5 mil for '26,'27, '28, and an Option for '29. That is a very reasonable contract for a #3 SP in his prime. As part of the deal we want a young quality SP and a young LH or SW hitting MOTO OF with solid D. Who needs a #3 SP - Texas (Osuna, Carter), B'More, Minnesota (Rodriguez) come to mind immediately, and the LAD because they have OF's Josue DePaula 20, and Zyhir Hope, 20, both at A+. I'd like to get Justin Crawford (Carl's Boy) from Philly who is hitting very well at AAA IL, but he is a Top of the Order guy whose power could kick in later - a strong doubles hitter with exc D at CF and LF at PNC. Definitely a building block for the future.
In theory, sounds good - but to be honest, the umpire fell apart in the last inning or two. Two of Ashcraft's three batters struck out on 3-2 counts when both those pitches should have been called a ball leading to a walk. With a young guy, you can never tell if he's ready for high leverage situations. I hope he can do this but you can't tell. Maybe DK will try it, though.
Chris Stratton dfa by Dodgers. Might as well bring him back to the shark tank. League minimum is music to BC.
I've never been more amped up for the NL Pitcher of the Month announcement!! Should be now at 6:00 pm?? This is what this season has come to......
Still not released....?
It may be a "dumb" stat but Pittsburgh having the 3rd most blown saves in baseball sure as shit isn't helping their record.
What an absurdly ridiculous unforced error. We saw it coming. Idiots, all of them.
Also, blown saves in HALF of all opportunities (and yer right, save is a faulty stat)
Pirates make a claim, Simon from the Marlins.
Rainey dfa'd. https://x.com/AlexJStumpf/status/1929604845134106856
He may be a good person, but on what planet do the Bucs need another weak hitting middle infielder? Is this because Peguero got hurt trying to play CF so they need the depth in Indy?
As I said below, Ben's going to Cherington.
This feels like a Dragmire situation. Moreta prob activated tomorrow which means someone else has to be DFA.
Let it be Pham.
Who’s coming up to replace Rainey in the bullpen?
💴?
Hopefully Moreta, he's ready, been pitching for a month now in 11 games.
I think we all know who is the most ready.
Another infielder! And one with a negative WAR, though he has hit well in AAA.
Scores highly on the Alika Williams scale. Very high on versatilnosity and above average in slap-hittage. Bonus points for former prospect status.
But at least he has options. Actually, I think its a decent scrounge, especially considering the Rainey swap out
He made several errors playing 2nd a week or so ago, young man was in tears.
Just bought this shirt. Fitting.
https://shopsteelcity.com/products/crying-in-baseball?variant=42070503555187
😂😂😂
I'm guessing they think they can now pass him through waivers when they bring up Gonzales or Yorke. I can't imagine that Simon would leapfrog either on the depth chart.
Probably, I do feel for the guy.
https://x.com/js9inningsmedia/status/1927567779928166674
He'll be an easy guy to root for, but that probably means that I'll just be frustrated that he's not given more of an opportunity to play at the MLB level. Though I guess with the way Kelly has used Canario and Davis, there is more hope than there used to be.
They just DFA'd Rainey. So one day they stick with him in one of the biggest situations of the season, and the next they're willing to say goodbye. How can we trust their judgement when they don't even seem to trust their judgement.
"So one day they stick with him in one of the biggest situations of the season, and the next they're willing to say goodbye."
Hard to overstate just what this says about them. And the GM is constantly prattling about how they don't need to make changes because they like the team they have.
They are effectively throwing a player, that should have never been there in the first place, under the bus. It’s laughable at this point!
Kelly should have pulled him after his 2nd walk. He left him out there for no good reason. Again, Kelly is only been a manager for 25 games. I know it’s a learning mistake.
There is no rhyme or reason to anything they do. Everyday its spin the wheel of misfortune to see what they do next. One thing that is for certain though is that no utilityman/2Bman can pass through waivers on Cherington's watch.
They claimed Ronny Simon, so wish it was a trade for a different switch hitting Ronny.
Randal Simon would probably be a bigger upgrade.
At least bigger.
We got Joggin’ Ronny Paulino back!?!
Paulino didn't switch hit.
Paulino didn’t HIT
Cedeno. Please say Cedeno.
Cedeno didn't switch hit.
I don't see a point in claiming another 2B, and especially one that the Rays (smart) and Marlins (bad) were willing to let go.
Ben's going to Cherington.
He sees .140 potential in that kid!
So, who, aside from Ben Cherington, woke up this morning and thought, "You know what the Pirates need? They need to replace Jarod Triolo with a switch-hitting version of Jared Triolo who makes lots of errors and can only play 2B."
Cherington -- Damn, who is this Rainey guy, anyway? Now I'm going to get questions about why we blew the game. DFA him now. But claim somebody off waivers so we can say we did it because we wanted the waiver guy and not because Rainey was a mistake. Who's on waivers?
Intern -- Some guy named Ronny Simon.
Cherington -- Randall Simon? Isn't he a first baseman? Everybody has to play second on this team. Can he play there?
Intern -- It's Ronny.
Cherington (not really listening): Donny says he can? Great, claim Randall.
Intern -- Uh, OK.
My fantasy baseball update says Jarren Duran for the BoSox has sparked the interest of the Padres. Seems a decent player. Blocking Roman Anthony. Theoretical return Ethan Salas. Not sure how good Salas is. Or how Padres always have a stockpile to trade. Wonder what the Bucs would need to give up.
Have a great day.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/oneil-cruz-is-starting-to-damage-low-pitches/
That's a good article. For an uncoachable malcontent, Cruz sure does seem to be getting better at everything.
it's always seemed odd to me a certain type of fan was unwilling to give both team and player credit for such an unfathomably huge win.
When he gave the kid his bat, he immediately became my favorite player, albeit tied with Cutch. When 22 hangs it up, I'll change my screen name to BoozeCruz.
Jason Mackey’s PG column is a must read. He picks apart DK’s poor decision making yesterday, but more importantly, provides all of the important numbers on the consistently poor bullpen construction of the current regime contrasted with the outstanding job NH did for much of his time here.
Almost for certain had we had a good bullpen last year we would have been .500 or better, and with a better bullpen this year we would have survived the garish offensive numbers and would have been in a place to, perhaps, work ourselves back into some kind of contention. It makes no sense to build a strong starting rotation, hoping this will anchor a team, if you don’t have a bullpen that can nail down most of those close games.
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/jason-mackey/2025/06/02/mlb-pirates-ben-cherington-david-bednar-colin-holderman/stories/202505290124
Like most things in life, balance and synergy create value. An average offense combined with average starting pitching and an average bullpen would likely translate into an above average team. I get leaning into your strengths, but their incompetence for roster building is off the charts.
Thanks for the link -- Mackey makes legit points there. On the postgame yesterday I think Brault mentioned that the pirates had the lead in 18 games that they ultimately lost. 18! Not sure that's all on the bullpen (I.e., the offense doesn't put up many runs), but at this stage of the season, 18 accounts for (math) the other 1/3 of games that aren't wins/losses (the adage that all teams win 1/3, lose 1/3, etc)
Amen. I continue to be more pissed about the bullpen than the offense.
Tanner f'n Rainey and Ryan Borwhateveryouspellit are like 2 and 3 up right now depending on where David Bednar's competency is at any given time. Just a shitshow.
As Wilkin Ramos languishes in AA for the third straight year, putting up a sub 2 ERA and a WHIP around 1.0 and Carmen Mlodzinski sits in AAA trying to master the art of being a AAAA starter instead of a lights out reliever.
preach!
Good to see the kids sharing? NG went to AAA to rehab - he is now a Shortstop. 4 games now. Liover Peguero who was our Shortstop at the MLB level in 2023, has discovered that he is now a First Baseman, 4 games now. BC Managing from the GM Office? Of course!
This is your Toon-Town Action Report!
Nice cool and sunny Sunday for baseball in Toon Town yesterday.
Some crazyball to report.
Po Yu Chen went 6 innings and gave up three bombs... two to some guy named Zach Erhard. To be fairk, there was a good breeze out but I'm not sure it mattered.
The Sea Dongs' starter was good. Monegro. But we got to him in the 6th with some help from the umpires. You see, Termarr had actually struck out in the at bat he was credited with the home run ... (More on that in a minute.) It was on a 3-2 pitch where Termar had checked his swing, but the ball deflected off the bat into the catcher's glove. Which may or may not have been a strike out. Can you strike out on a foul ball you may or may not have checked your swing on? I JUST DON'T KNOW.
But the Sea Dongs' Catcher and Monegro were livid that the inning should have been over and Termarr just stood there looking innocent, you know.
The umps gathered together and it went sommat like this:
Ump 1: Did you see anything?
Ump 2: I didn't see anything. Did you see anything?
Crew Chief: I didn't see anything.
Ump 1: But. If on a 3-2 pitch it is not fouled off and not otherwise a strike should the runner not take his base.
Crew Chief: All right smart-ass, who do you think you are?
Ump 1: Sorry chief.
Ump 2: Can we say it just didn't happen?
Crew Chief: Yeah. It never happened. I like that.
Ump 1: We can assert that the catcher dropped the ball.
Crew Chief: Keep it up, rookie, and you'll be rubbing down a hundred baseballs in the morning.
Ump 1: Sorry Chief...
Sea Dongs' Manager: What the hell, you guys. The inning is over. My starter is gonna be mad. Where did you get your license at, Toon-Town Sports and Athletic Officials?
Crew Chief: Coach, the only reason you're not gettin' the heave ho is you're probably right. But at this point, we're just gonna do a do over, okay?
Monegro: A DO OVER???!!! That makes me MAD!
Manager: I tol' you he'd be mad.
Catcher: A DO OVER??? That was a strike out. Besides, this is not sand lot baseball. There are no do overs!
Crew Chief: This is Toon-Town, son. Many strange things occur in Toon-Town.
Monegro was seriously mumbling under his breath when the game resumed and he was so mad he just threw a fastball center cut and Termarr just demolished it... A NO Doubter... straight through the roller coaster beyond the right field wall. Just a monster shot.
And the crowd is going wild making fun of the pitcher and the catcher and dancing and showing their bums at them, as is a mating ritual in Toon-Town, but when twerked at a baseball game it is a sign of disrespect.
Oh. The Umps were not done.
In the seventh, with Brendan Dixon on second and Shawn Ross on first, Maikol Escotto smashes a seriously hairy line drive to deep center. The Sea Dongs' center fielder is there he gloves the ball. He drops the ball. He picks up the ball. Mayhem ensues as none of the umps had ruled catch or no catch. Ross is running back and forth ten yards from second base with his arms in the air screaming, "What?" "What?" He starts running back to first but Escotto is standing on the bag. He turns around and runs the other direction, screaming "What?" "What?"
Meanwhile, Brendan Dixon scores kind of walking backward watching it all unfold.
Listen... I'm not kidding it happened just like this! Toon baseball, man.
So Ross is standing on second and Escotto is on First. Dixon is standing on home plate talking to the catcher who is now so frustrated he can't make words.
The umps get together.
It is officially ruled the hardest hit, furthest single in Altoona Curve history. When. In actuality, I think the center fielder dropped the ball on the transfer. But it was a complete cluster for the second inning in a row.
And, neatly, after surrendering the lead in the 8th. The Tuna loaded the bases and tied it again on a hit batter. Then Shawn Ross knocks a two run single. Wilkin Ramos closed it out for an otherwise normal win at People's Natural Gas Park in Toon Town.
Over And Out!
_________________________
"Well. Like the Romans always say... E Pluribus Uranium."
-Wabbit
https://x.com/MiLB/status/1929246949493915843
Termarr
Oh dear. 112 off the bat. 424 feet. Man it was fun watching that back bc Termarr was GEARED.
My take from all of this... What in the infernal hell is Wilkin Ramos doing in AA? Why is he not in AAA on the cusp of joining the major-league team? Is there any aspect of their player development and management system that is not a clownshow?
Elevated bb%, low k% & a fip of 3.67/3.99 xFIP probably doesn't translate well to the show.
He has 51 appearances now in AA, three seasons in a row, with a very sub 2 ERA. He is a groundball pitcher. FIP and xFIP hate groundball pitchers and the point is not to get Ks as much as groundballs. He has given up something like 6 HRs in 6 years.
57% GB rate is damn good.
All I know is that the OOTPB engine turns him into a double-play... get out of a jam.. machine. He is like Jared Hughes on steroids and Human Growth Hormone.
Eddy Y is similar.
somebody on federal st give this man a job in the booth.
Why did they bring in Ashcraft to start the 7th. He had 5 days rest( 3 innings). They piggyback him last start. My whole thing is they just kept Rainey in there way too long. And watching him walk batters with a pitches so far out of the strike zone was terrible. I could tell from my TV, with the rest of you, he did not have it. You wanna to win a series.
What is the latest on Lawrence? They desperately need him back.
Rainey is a 2-pitch reliever and when the slider isn't working, he's a gas can.
Lawrence has been absent from the injury reports. I suspect we’re not going to see him again this year.
Keeping Rainey in past the 3rd batter (and the 4th) is very Sheltonesque. The guy clearly didn't have it last night.
Rainey had not earned my circle of trust--when he came in, I said to my daughter that I didn't trust him but then there were only a couple of relievers I did trust so let's see how it goes. After checking his May stats, I can see why Kelly trusted him.
However, I agree that a good manager needs to be able to react much quicker when it's clear that a reliever doesn't have it. That was one of my major concerns with Shelton and I've lost a little bit of hope in Kelly after yesterday. Disappointing because given Kelly's background and personality, I really want to see him succeed.
Yeah... but at least the Pirates didn't lose in the 9th inning. Those losses count a lot more than the games that they lose in the 7th inning. And at least they didn't waste Santana or Bednar in a bases loaded situation in the 7th inning, so they should be well-rested the next time the Pirates have the lead in the 8th and 9th... sometime around June 19th.
https://pitcherlist.com/mlb-mock-draft-2-0/
This Seth homie keeps falling past is in mocks.
I get the Pirates need hitters in the system BUT if Seth Hernandez is available at six, that should absolutely be the pick
Do they, though? Once the AAA slug matriculates it seems the arms are where the system is short.
Also bats. And good defenders. But other than that...
All great points.
Best player available, as it always should be
That's my opinion as well, I think he's my top guy in the draft.
Yeah... you take the best player available, and if Hernandez is available at 6, I don't see how he would not be the best player available.
I caught a guy called "And It's Gone" on YouTube earlier with his mock draft and ML comps. He had the Pirates taking Hernandez with the comp being Zack Wheeler. I'm in on that.
About to hop on NS9 to talk some prospects, if anyone else is up
I agree with your take on Griffin and how much time he should spend in Greensboro.
Do you think Sandford's wide stance leads to more hit by pitches? I knew a guy when I was young that used a wide no stride and he got hit all the time. (He picked it up from the Doyle baseball camps in the early 90's).
Wow! Haven’t heard that name in forever…Doyle baseball camps are a blast from the past!
It could. I could see how it could. Think we have to take into account how bad the control has been in the FCL this year. Feels like way more wildness than usual.
I also just feel like Sanford is the type of player that's going to do whatever it takes to get on base
Money Maureta up for Rainey can’t happen soon enough.
If the Pirates had any hope of making the playoffs, Moreta may have been moved faster, but no reason to rush him at this point. The Pirates led by BC are probably looking at the trade deadline right now - as they should be at this point.
* We have $19.6 mil invested in IKF, Heaney, Pham, Frazier, and Rainey. BC is looking to get at least $8 mil back. Heaney will bring back at least the 40% remaining on his $5.25 mil, and could very well bring a possible prospect in additional return. IKF should be good for his 40% as will Frazier. Would a team invest $1.6 mil to get Pham for Aug and Sep- I think so. So, in that first group we get our $8 mil back and a prospect.
* Do the Pirates allow their arm to be twisted to give up Mitch Keller? It would return $6 mil of his $15 mil contract for 2025, and that team would take on the remaining $54.5 mil for '26,'27, '28, and an Option for '29. That is a very reasonable contract for a #3 SP in his prime. As part of the deal we want a young quality SP and a young LH or SW hitting MOTO OF with solid D. Who needs a #3 SP - Texas (Osuna, Carter), B'More, Minnesota (Rodriguez) come to mind immediately, and the LAD because they have OF's Josue DePaula 20, and Zyhir Hope, 20, both at A+. I'd like to get Justin Crawford (Carl's Boy) from Philly who is hitting very well at AAA IL, but he is a Top of the Order guy whose power could kick in later - a strong doubles hitter with exc D at CF and LF at PNC. Definitely a building block for the future.
I'd also consider using Ashcraft for 2 to 3 innings at a time. Keep him stretched out and get the team to the 8th inning.
In theory, sounds good - but to be honest, the umpire fell apart in the last inning or two. Two of Ashcraft's three batters struck out on 3-2 counts when both those pitches should have been called a ball leading to a walk. With a young guy, you can never tell if he's ready for high leverage situations. I hope he can do this but you can't tell. Maybe DK will try it, though.