This question may be a day early (or a few hours), but any sign of Oviedo? I am hoping he was scheduled to pitch the rain out day behind Skenes which could mean he will be on the list of probable pitchers today (hence.. my question being a few hours early). Unless I missed something I thought he was fully ready to go for a normal spring training. With the signing of Heaney it just seems to make a lot of sense to have him start in AAA and build himself up there so I am not overly concerned but am hoping there is not an actual health issue.
Would love to see Ashcroft log 60+ innings in relief with the Pirates this year. Keep him as a reliever and maybe a few years down the road, after he proves he can remain healthy and effective, do the transition back to starting which seems to be a trend now
Ashcraft had some exc numbers at AA and then got 5 games at AAA where the numbers were down, but still respectable. Good chance he is the #3 SP in AAA behind Chandler and Harrington, with #4 being Burrows, and #5 being Chen, Solometo, or Perachi. The Pirates are very, very deep in SP. He's someone who could headline a trade to bring a LH OF bat to the Pirates. Still hoping that Jack is back, but another young LH power bat could help.
I'd possibly add Oviedo to the AAA rotation as if Ferguson and Mlod keep getting stretched out they would clearly be the long relievers in the bullpen (the officially named Ortiz role). I could see Ashcraft being an important part of a trade but given his injury history and lack of innings not sure I'd call him a headliner yet as I would think teams would have legitimate concerns regarding him staying a starter. Send him to Indy, pitch well and his value could soar.
Speaking of Ortiz, in EL's chat yesterday he listed Ortiz as one of the post-prospects he was most excited to see this year. I think Ortiz will do well for the Guardians, but was surprised to see him mentioned in this context.
Forgot about Oviedo and he will definitely be in the AAA Rotation to start the season. He is also very high on the list of SP's who could be available for trade at the right price.
Ashcraft lost time to injuries and the Pirates have weaned him back very patiently. In 2023 he managed 19 starts but for only 52 innings. In 2024 they bumped him up to 73 IP with 54 IP in 10 starts at AA and then 4 Starts and 19 IP at AAA. Averaging about 5 IP/Start. Any team interested will be all over him at every game he is slated to pitch in ST, and will follow to AAA to watch he and Oviedo.
The Athletics are loaded with young, VG position players, and hitters. They are in need of at least one SP. A perfect trade - two basically young teams filling in gaps for one another. This is a good starting point for both teams.
Yeah... if there was going to be some move, it would have happened. In a few weeks, we will enter the no-trade zone portion of the year, which, if nothing else, will end the speculation that Littlefield is going to do anything else to improve the team.
I hear you guys, and this might just be positive thinking on my part. Both Oviedo and Ashcraft are at the best points of their careers - we need to take advantage now! And, maybe they have tried and nobody is interested, but I doubt that all to hell - teams needing pitching do not abandon any reasonable options - especially a kid throwing in the upper 90's.
Excellent pitching and just enough offense. Nice exit velo's by Hayes and Gonzales. Gotta like the quality contact - hope to see more from both and some additional lift from Ke.
Impressive pitch velo's from Braxton Ashcraft and Kyle Nicolas. Ashcraft (6'5" 200) is in his age 25 season and will probably start at AAA if he is still with the Pirates when play begins. He's a 2018 2nd Round pick of the Pirates out of HS, and any team looking for a young SP ready to break into MLB will have him high on their list. Nicolas (6'4" 220) has been in the BP for the last few years and is an arm many teams would like to have. Just fell short of the days needed to achieve a full year of MLB Service - needed 172, but only has 170, so still a guy with 6 years of control.
Liked to see former Pirate Jack Wilson's son Jacob have a day of it with the Athletics. Not sure who they will have at SS, but with he and Max Muncy both 23 year olds, that could be the MI. Hard to go wrong with those two - both had big numbers in AAA, and Jacob got 28 games in MLB last year.
Menaiah and Montas both out for Mets. It's as predictable as balls lost in the FL sun. Ben should be dangling bait.
they have little to offer in return
Man those Ashcraft numbers are exciting!
This question may be a day early (or a few hours), but any sign of Oviedo? I am hoping he was scheduled to pitch the rain out day behind Skenes which could mean he will be on the list of probable pitchers today (hence.. my question being a few hours early). Unless I missed something I thought he was fully ready to go for a normal spring training. With the signing of Heaney it just seems to make a lot of sense to have him start in AAA and build himself up there so I am not overly concerned but am hoping there is not an actual health issue.
Cherington made some comments the other day that made clear they plan to send Oviedo to Indy.
Happy Skenes Day, take 2.
Would love to see Ashcroft log 60+ innings in relief with the Pirates this year. Keep him as a reliever and maybe a few years down the road, after he proves he can remain healthy and effective, do the transition back to starting which seems to be a trend now
Ashcraft had some exc numbers at AA and then got 5 games at AAA where the numbers were down, but still respectable. Good chance he is the #3 SP in AAA behind Chandler and Harrington, with #4 being Burrows, and #5 being Chen, Solometo, or Perachi. The Pirates are very, very deep in SP. He's someone who could headline a trade to bring a LH OF bat to the Pirates. Still hoping that Jack is back, but another young LH power bat could help.
I'd possibly add Oviedo to the AAA rotation as if Ferguson and Mlod keep getting stretched out they would clearly be the long relievers in the bullpen (the officially named Ortiz role). I could see Ashcraft being an important part of a trade but given his injury history and lack of innings not sure I'd call him a headliner yet as I would think teams would have legitimate concerns regarding him staying a starter. Send him to Indy, pitch well and his value could soar.
Speaking of Ortiz, in EL's chat yesterday he listed Ortiz as one of the post-prospects he was most excited to see this year. I think Ortiz will do well for the Guardians, but was surprised to see him mentioned in this context.
Forgot about Oviedo and he will definitely be in the AAA Rotation to start the season. He is also very high on the list of SP's who could be available for trade at the right price.
Ashcraft lost time to injuries and the Pirates have weaned him back very patiently. In 2023 he managed 19 starts but for only 52 innings. In 2024 they bumped him up to 73 IP with 54 IP in 10 starts at AA and then 4 Starts and 19 IP at AAA. Averaging about 5 IP/Start. Any team interested will be all over him at every game he is slated to pitch in ST, and will follow to AAA to watch he and Oviedo.
The Athletics are loaded with young, VG position players, and hitters. They are in need of at least one SP. A perfect trade - two basically young teams filling in gaps for one another. This is a good starting point for both teams.
They had the whole off-season to do that( Trade for a good hitter). Didn’t go to good
Yeah... if there was going to be some move, it would have happened. In a few weeks, we will enter the no-trade zone portion of the year, which, if nothing else, will end the speculation that Littlefield is going to do anything else to improve the team.
I hear you guys, and this might just be positive thinking on my part. Both Oviedo and Ashcraft are at the best points of their careers - we need to take advantage now! And, maybe they have tried and nobody is interested, but I doubt that all to hell - teams needing pitching do not abandon any reasonable options - especially a kid throwing in the upper 90's.
Littlefield!!!!! I read right over that the first time.
He might pick up an out of option player or two, but that’s about it.
Excellent pitching and just enough offense. Nice exit velo's by Hayes and Gonzales. Gotta like the quality contact - hope to see more from both and some additional lift from Ke.
Impressive pitch velo's from Braxton Ashcraft and Kyle Nicolas. Ashcraft (6'5" 200) is in his age 25 season and will probably start at AAA if he is still with the Pirates when play begins. He's a 2018 2nd Round pick of the Pirates out of HS, and any team looking for a young SP ready to break into MLB will have him high on their list. Nicolas (6'4" 220) has been in the BP for the last few years and is an arm many teams would like to have. Just fell short of the days needed to achieve a full year of MLB Service - needed 172, but only has 170, so still a guy with 6 years of control.
Liked to see former Pirate Jack Wilson's son Jacob have a day of it with the Athletics. Not sure who they will have at SS, but with he and Max Muncy both 23 year olds, that could be the MI. Hard to go wrong with those two - both had big numbers in AAA, and Jacob got 28 games in MLB last year.