Morning Rundown: Pirates sign Aroldis Chapman, minor league coaching assignments, Termarr Johnson named top second base prospect
Pirates sign reliever Aroldis Chapman, minor league coaching assignments are annoucned and Termarr Johnson named the best second base prospect on Pipeline.
Just two days ago, I mentioned it was a ‘slow weekend’ when it came to Pirates’ news, and boy did that change quickly.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman to a one-year deal worth $10.5 million.
He put up a 6-5 record, along with six saves, with the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers last year, posting a collective 3.09 ERA while striking out 103 (41.3%) batters across 58.1 innings pitched.
The seven-time All-Star will join a bullpen that already features one of the best closers in the game, David Bednar.
It also gives the Pirates an added option in the back of the bullpen and another lefty to go along with Ryan Borucki, Jose Hernandez, and Bailey Falter.
More on Chapman will be up later today.
The Pirates announced their coaching staffs for each of their full-season affiliates on Monday, with a few noticeable names missing, at least at first glance.
Miguel Perez returns as Indianapolis’ manager, which will be his third season in that position. Eric Munson also returns as the hitting coach, and Drew Benes is the pitching coach.
He split last season between Altoona and Indianapolis.
Robby Hammock moves from Greensboro to Altoona, bringing Fernando Nieve along as the pitching coach.
Jim Horner moves from being the FCL manager in 2023 to Bradenton this upcoming year. Scott Seabol was a minor league hitting coach in the Marlins system for the last four years before coming over.
Matt Ford will be the pitching coach again in 2024.
Callix Crabbe stays within the organization as the complex hitting coordinator. He was the manager of the Altoona Curve in 2023. Crabbe was also named the best 'manager prospect’ in Baseball America’s ‘best scouting tools’ article that polled other minor league managers.
After spending the last few years as the Bradenton manager, Jonathan Johnston moves to ‘hitting development coordinator.’
MLB Pipeline continued their countdown of the top 10 prospects for each position, with second base being released on Monday.
Pirates’ prospect Termarr Johnson was named the best second base prospect in the minors for the 2024 season.
It was undoubtedly an interesting 2023 season for Johnson, who drew over 100 walks but also struggled with making contact in the zone.
Regardless, Pipeline is still a fan of Johnson, giving him the ‘highest ceiling’ superlative in the article.
Here’s how the entire list broke down,
Termarr Johnson, PIT
Jace Jung, DET
James Triantos, CHC
Thomas Saggese, STL
Justin Foscue, TEX
Ronny Mauricio, NYM
Connor Norby, BAL
Juan Brito, CLE
Ryan Bliss, SEA
Carlos Jorge, CIN
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In a vacuum, the Chapman signing really shores up the bullpen. In the overall view, it's so odd to me given the uncertainty surrounding 1B, 2B, RF, SP and even catcher that a setup man is where they splurge.
Long term, Chapman did net the Royals Cole Ragans last season lol
I imagine BC having this internal debate:
“Hey, I spent money to improve the team and nothing bad happened! I wasn’t struck by lightning. I wasn’t fired. Maybe I could do it again! I could add an actual, major league starter. Maybe two! Maybe a first baseman or an outfielder who can hit. Maybe we could contend and I wouldn’t have to keep BSing the fans about being ‘competitive.’”
“Nah.”