Strikes out a shit ton, over a third of the time this year. If I was confident that we could help him improve that for him, could be a prospect challenge swap for harrington? Both college guys at similar levels and i believe they need more pitching in their pipeline
Good to see Bowen having a bit of a breakout in the AFL. Hope he is really starting to figure it out and stays hot through the rest of the fall. I'm sure he'll get some time in center and 1st in the spring to warm him up for Altoona.
Binns with a homerun and single is encouraging as well (his single was the hardest exit velocity in the fall this year 110+ mph).
Brannigan needs to put the ball in play, the strikeouts are getting worrisome that a wall is coming.
The impeding wall i believe is known as Altoona lol, have been pleasantly surprised by him so far but wouldnt be shocked to have his performance drop off in a hurry here soon
Jase Bowen just continues to impress. His three hits including a HR and 3 RBI from the leadoff spot in the order led the team last night and his 1.065 OPS places him 10th overall in the AFL. Yesterday he also hit well out of the 8th or 9th slot in the order, and played RF. I think that is 2 games each at CF, RF, and 1B, one at DH, and possibly one in LF. Turned 23 just 9 days ago.
Pirates Catcher Carter Bins, 24, also pitched in with 3 RBI from the #9 slot in the order. And 19 year old pitcher Alessandro Ercolani pitched an inning but continues to have control issues (4 Walks). Glad to see Benes in there as the pitching coach for SRR.
Probably a reliever, but yeah. Who knows what a development path from San Marino looks like, but he made a lot of progress at a young age in full season ball this year and he’s the youngest player in the AFL. It says a lot that his stuff is able to get him through an inning now, even a very shaky one. The Pirates clearly believe in him or they wouldn’t have sent such a young, inexperienced guy out there.
I’m guessing he goes back to Bradenton next year. Success should be measured by him getting to Greensboro by mid season.
Not either AM or WTM, but just Ercolani's presence in the AFL has to say a lot about what the Pirates think of him. The 96+ FB is nice for a 19 year old IFA.
He mentions that he only had a fastball when he came to the Pirates. So he is learning everything from the beginning. He looks very raw to me and hasn't developed a consistent release point for his secondary stuff. But has a live arm. and seems to be generating some very high spin rates.
The Pirates began scouting him at the age of 15. I don't know who the scout is or how this will turn out, but the Pirates should be looking to promote that scout. Quite a find even if he never advances past AA ball.
Ivan Melendez would be a strong acquisition
Strikes out a ton and not a good fielder. Has a lot of power though.
Strikes out a shit ton, over a third of the time this year. If I was confident that we could help him improve that for him, could be a prospect challenge swap for harrington? Both college guys at similar levels and i believe they need more pitching in their pipeline
I like Harrington's potential more, his floor is higher but Melendez has a higher ceiling if he pans out, but his strikeouts are very concerning.
Good to see Bowen having a bit of a breakout in the AFL. Hope he is really starting to figure it out and stays hot through the rest of the fall. I'm sure he'll get some time in center and 1st in the spring to warm him up for Altoona.
Binns with a homerun and single is encouraging as well (his single was the hardest exit velocity in the fall this year 110+ mph).
Brannigan needs to put the ball in play, the strikeouts are getting worrisome that a wall is coming.
The impeding wall i believe is known as Altoona lol, have been pleasantly surprised by him so far but wouldnt be shocked to have his performance drop off in a hurry here soon
Wish his hit tool was just average.
Alternatively, I wish we had shown any kind of ability to develop hit tool in promising prospects lol
Jase Bowen just continues to impress. His three hits including a HR and 3 RBI from the leadoff spot in the order led the team last night and his 1.065 OPS places him 10th overall in the AFL. Yesterday he also hit well out of the 8th or 9th slot in the order, and played RF. I think that is 2 games each at CF, RF, and 1B, one at DH, and possibly one in LF. Turned 23 just 9 days ago.
Pirates Catcher Carter Bins, 24, also pitched in with 3 RBI from the #9 slot in the order. And 19 year old pitcher Alessandro Ercolani pitched an inning but continues to have control issues (4 Walks). Glad to see Benes in there as the pitching coach for SRR.
Question for Anthony and WTM: In your opinion is Ercoloni a prospect with a possibly bright future?
Probably a reliever, but yeah. Who knows what a development path from San Marino looks like, but he made a lot of progress at a young age in full season ball this year and he’s the youngest player in the AFL. It says a lot that his stuff is able to get him through an inning now, even a very shaky one. The Pirates clearly believe in him or they wouldn’t have sent such a young, inexperienced guy out there.
I’m guessing he goes back to Bradenton next year. Success should be measured by him getting to Greensboro by mid season.
Not either AM or WTM, but just Ercolani's presence in the AFL has to say a lot about what the Pirates think of him. The 96+ FB is nice for a 19 year old IFA.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks.
Good article about him on MLB.com. https://www.mlb.com/news/pirates-alessandro-ercolani-makes-way-from-san-marino-to-fall-league?partnerID=web_article-share
He mentions that he only had a fastball when he came to the Pirates. So he is learning everything from the beginning. He looks very raw to me and hasn't developed a consistent release point for his secondary stuff. But has a live arm. and seems to be generating some very high spin rates.
The Pirates began scouting him at the age of 15. I don't know who the scout is or how this will turn out, but the Pirates should be looking to promote that scout. Quite a find even if he never advances past AA ball.