73 Comments

So, Oneil Cruz...so far so good right?

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I think so, at least so far...truth be told, I'm now far more concerned with the inevitable decision to make BDLC the default right fielder next year, despite the mounds of evidence that he stinks now and has always stunk.

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amen to that.

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I agree too. He's not a guy I want on the roster at all.

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he´ll be back at short in a few weeks once we fire the manager

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totally how this works.

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His reads have looked pretty good (fly balls), still not enough chances on his routs (hard line drives to each side and right at him). His arm and range look elite (of course), throwing decisions have been ok, still needs more experience to know more because he's an athletic freak.

He looks to be anywhere from an above average to elite center fielder when considering his bat.

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exactly my read, Mel, glad to see my glasses might not be too rosy.

i don't know if it's the little bit of experience gained a few years ago or just a little more effort in game action but holy cow does he seem more natural out there now than the last time they tried him out there.

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Sep 6·edited Sep 6

Yep, a little more maturity, probably a touch being in center instead of left field, with the self realization that his skill set and height can be of greater use in center than the hindrance at short stop. A short time out there and he really seems to enjoy it and focused. If he's disappointed, he isn't showing it. Edit when comparing to the last time he was in the outfield.

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Oh I didn't realize so far so good was CF.

Have barely been watching since the 10 game skid to be honest. Thanks for the report.

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113 wRC+ :shrug:

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Stinks

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talk about tldr

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You guys need to take my speed reading class.

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Billy's speed-reading class.

-skip over the positive

-go straight for the negative

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More like you read titles and headers, first sentences, z-read, last sentences. Understanding how the human mind structures and places priority within writing.

Also, what fucking positives. This is the Pirates. They're pathetic.

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Not poking into this fight, but the speed technique is the same one I've used for 45 years. Really improves time-to-read. The general point is most writers lead with the most important info in the first sentence of a paragraph, do some blah blah in the middle to justify it, then end with a strong summary.

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Yeah, JFK used it. It's a thing. It's been a massive help to me. I'm also not fighting with C22. A team 15 games back that seems destined to never play meaningful baseball isn't worth fighting over.

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BOYS.

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tell me about it. I just glanced over it.

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Sep 6·edited Sep 6

One takeaway that we've been saying too, and which makes the upcoming offseason the most important one since 2016 (Bob let us down then; will he again?):

"That window won’t stay open forever. That means the time is now for the front office to assemble a solid supporting cast around him, and more importantly, for ownership to offer them the budget to do so.

That last part may seem impossible, because owner Bob Nutting doesn’t seem to care much about building a winning team so long as it’s profitable. But even frugal team owners can be motivated to invest more in their roster if they believe that’s the best way to maximize profits."

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sources saying they´re about to call up bubba to play shortstop for the next few weeks

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I’ve been waiting for that announcement, finally!

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Sources need to lay off the sauces.

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whose your pick for shortstop?

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Not WTM, but if we are looking for a SS, the kid who played SS in 2023 when Cruz was injured, Liover Peguero, should be the choice. Last year as a 22 year old he fielded .960 in 39 games at SS, and a perfect 1.000 in 33 games at 2B. He does have some pop in the bat - possibly a 15-20 HR guy. A lot older at 23 this year, and it would sure be nice if he played for the Pirates the last 3 weeks of the season.

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i agree with this

mystery to me as to why this hasnt happened already

i guess they want to win the AAA playoffs

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stinks.

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Billy Cook hype train checking in

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Neat quotes from Santana in today's PG, and reinforces my hope that we re-sign Chapman:

“Aroldis Chapman has had a big influence on him in the two months or so that he’s been here,” Meccage said. “He has made a big impact on how he goes about his business from a day-to-day level, and that’s showing up on the field.”

Despite having played with a handful of other notable relievers, Santana said he has learned more from Chapman than anyone else. The two are frequently seen around the ballpark together before, during and after games.

"He's taught me everything,” Santana told the Post-Gazette. “His routine, I practice with him, go to the gym, work out, watching his confidence in the bullpen. He's always ready."

"He's the best example I could have,” Santana added later on. “The best thing that happened was me coming to the Pirates because I have him by my side. He was in the big leagues for years before I made it here. He's been here so long, so he must be doing something good."

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With zero inside information, I just don't see why a player who has closed the season so well would not just wait and see what free agency offers. I don't put much weight in that he wasn't moved at the trade deadline or released to go elsewhere once Pirates crashed. It doesn't mean he wouldn't sign with the Pirates with all things being relatively close (does he care about $1M difference?) but we also don't really know much bout his geographic preferences, chance for contention, etc.

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i think they already havea. deal agreed upon with Chapman - - else he´d already be gone for $2mil in savings from Aug/Sept

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Except that Shelton may need a good month to keep his job which could be the reason they held onto their pending FAs.

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Im pretty sure that the reason Oneil is in center all of a sudden is because shelton bitched about his fielding

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I also wonder whether Shelton wanting to keep his job is why they're not talking about shutting Skenes down or at least having him reduce his pitch counts.

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Sep 6·edited Sep 6

This is a 'Ground Hog day comment'. IMO Shelton's destiny was decided at the post trade deadline collapse. That's not me predicting whether he stays or goes, but the last 3 weeks outside of some behavioral meltdown or something odd, I don't think is any kind of swing vote on his fate.

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there's an approximately 0.0% chance that Derek Shelton has unilateral control over the most valuable asset in the organization.

i know we're all pirate fans but the conspiracy theories yinz'll talk yerselves into...

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And nobody said he had unilateral control, but whatever.

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IKF is his type of player. Fortunately, Cruz does seem to be adjusting just fine but I still think they'd been wise to wait until the offseason.

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Santana is enjoying some of his best numbers in his 7 year career. Not much in his 27 innings with the Yankees to start 2024 with a 6.26 ERA. Since joining the Pirates he has thrown 33 innings, with career bests of ERA 3.00, FIP 2.46, K/9 10.9, and BB/9 1.9. He's been a helluva pickup!

BTW, Chapman has been there when needed most with 53 IP, 37.3% K Rate, combined with a 44.7% GB Rate. Kind of rough to start the season but has been the go-to guy out of the BP lately.

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Is Termarr Johnson the worst pick ever? If he keeps getting advanced is it possible he will have a negative average?

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forget all these losers i'm with you guy stinks.

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Not at all. But yours might be the worst post ever. There are literally thousands of draft picks who have been worse, purely based on their performance. But with Johnson, it’s very important to realize that he is way younger than almost everyone he is playing against. Based on baseball reference, here are how his age compares the last two years to his competitors:

2024: Altoona 3.6 years younger, Greensboro 2.1 years younger

2023: Greensboro 3.3 years younger, Bradenton 2.2 years younger.

The Pirates have been very aggressive, very, possibly too aggressive, in promoting him. Had he taken a more normal path, his stats would’ve been a lot better and people wouldn’t have been posting silly complaints about him.

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His example actually runs counter to the current nature of promotions. We’re in a prospect world where a kid has a hot three weeks to start the season and fans are impatiently tapping their watch, looking for a promotion. Comparatively speaking, I think they gave TJ longer runway at high A than his colleagues in other organizations. And he’s STILL very young related to his league.

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Sep 6·edited Sep 6

Ever, ever? Please.

Here's a list of players drafted 4th overall...

2004 Jeff Niemann 4.3 bWAR

2005 Ryan Zimmerman 40.1 bWAR

2006 Brad Lincoln 0.4 bWAR

2007 Daniel Moskos 0.2 bWAR

2008 Brian Matusz 2.1 bWAR

2009 Tony Sanchez 0.1 bWAR

2010 Christain Colon 1.1 bWAR

2011 Dylan Bundy 7.5 bWAR

2012 Kevin Gausman 23.3 bWAR

2013 Kohl Stewart 0.2 bWAR

2014 Kyle Schwarber 14.9 bWAR

2015 Dillion Tate 2.0 bWAR

2016 Riley Pint - 0.4 bWAR

2017 Brendan McKay -0.1 bWAR

2018 Nick Madrigal 3.0 bWAR

2019 JJ Bleday 2.5 bWAR

2020 Asa Lacy N/A

2021 Marcelo Mayer NA

2022 Termarr Johnson NA

2023 Wyant Langford 2.0 bWAR

2024 Nick Kurtz NA

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Thanks for doing the research. Amazing how little the 4th overall pick actually produces. Not a single hall of famer in the bunch. Of course, note the excellent contributions of the Pirates to this list: Lincoln, Moskos, and Sanchez. Wow.

I’m surprised that Schwarber hasn’t accumulated more bWAR. I guess that’s because he’s never done much of anything in the field.

Langford has a chance to get into Ryan Zimmerman territory given his first season production.

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Silly take.. sorry. His AA career just started and he earned the promotion. Plus, I have Mark Appell on line 3 who may qualify in the top 10 worst picks twice.

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Yes, actually way beyond silly.

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Termarr isn’t even close to being the worst pick in that top 10.

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👍👍

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This is a wild take and im kinda convinced its serious

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Dude...just...dude. hyperbole much? Not worried after EIGHT games.

Do I wish he had a higher batting average in his minor league career? Yes. But come on....This is like issue 42 to be worried about right now

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Not talking 8 days - it's two years.

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out of curiosity, what was your take on Nick Gonzales two years ago?

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When I see a young kid (20) promoted and struggle, I tend to always look at the BB/K numbers to see if he is being overwhelmed at the new level. So far at AA 'toona 5 BB/6 K in 26 AB - the hits will come.

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Yep, he's also hit the ball hard a few times that I've watched with nothing to show for it.

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Did you catch the Dolander matchup last night?

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Just watched the at bats against Dollander. Termarr looked decent, 1st at bat Dollander got him on a well located pitch (pitch 8) for the strikeout swinging. 2nd at bat was productive with a sacrifice fly, it was on 3-0 pitch. Having a green light there indicates the coaches have confidence and he has confidence in himself both good signs. 3rd at bat just a little off from better contact and a hit.

At 20 years old, I'm not concerned with his slow start at all in double A. As long as he keeps the strikeouts in check and maintains his plate discipline, I think the hits will come. (5 hits the last 2 games with 2 going for extra bases is hopefully the start of a correction in babip for Termarr)

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I wanted too, I haven't had a chance to watch it yet

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takes some time to acclimate

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Martin Perez since leaving Pittsburgh for San Diego without further comment.

7 GS 38 IP 34 H 11 BB 1.18 WHIP 2.84 ERA

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In the big picture keeping him here would not have changed one damn thing..

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With a 4.79 FIP and 0.2 fWAR.

In other words, due for major regression.

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With a strand rate well over 90%. He’s been fortunate. Good for him.

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Yea, oddly he has been slightly worse in SD. BABIP is 100 points lower and HR rate is quite a bit higher. Sample size is still quite small. Good outing last night, but his only other good start was against a team that hits poorly (they play in a city that starts with a P and ends in an H)

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Perth?

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Can I get another letter, please.

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ittsbrug

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Not sure 🤔 Pittsburgh? Wait you wrote ittsbRug, so that’s wrong…..

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Ah serves me right for trying to be a smart ass lol

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Good for him. Nice park for him to pitch in.

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