The big thing with AAA is they use MLB balls. Chandler did lose a little VB with the MLB balls in AAA but it’s still an elite, elite FB.
And wait till Pirates fans get to see Gavin Adams. It’s another elite FB. The SL is inconsistent, same w/ the CH(along with being a little too firm) but when he has the feel for them, they are on both are nasty too.
I really hope the Pirates give him a chance to start. He was gonna get that chance at FSU b4 the injury and Arnold and Leiter broke out. That FSU rotation was predicted to be Leiter, Gavin Adams, Tejada Jr and Dorsey as their midweek. That’s what everyone expected the rotation to be during the fall.
Adams FB is just nasty though. He looks just like Jacob Misiorowski but one or two inches shorter. And not b/c they were both top JUCO arms either; that’s just happenstance. They are just so similar.
Just looking at what the list will look like for the candidates to make up the 2025 Rotation - Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, Bailey Falter, Luis Ortiz, Thomas Harrington, Bubba Chandler, and possibly Johan Oviedo by May.
Just a note on Aroldis Chapman who started the year with some pretty bad numbers. In June, July, and so far in August he has pitched 26.1 innings in late inning relief with a 2.39 ERA, only 11 BB, 39 K, and has been the rock holding it together. Tip of the cap to Kyle Nicolas who has arrived with 44 IP, and a 2.86 ERA so far. A lot of injuries in the BP, but guys like Chapman and Nicolas have been stellar.
Well, almost a veritable lock that Paul Skenes and Jackson Merrill of SD will finish 1-2 either way in the ROY Voting, thereby assuring both will earn a full year of MLB Service. I think Merrill started the season with the Padres going straight from AA (.782 OPS in ~200 PA) in 2023 to starting CF in 2024 for the Padres. Skenes only had about 5 innings or professional ball in 2023, and was promoted to the Pirates in early May 2024.
I know what the rules say, but the Pirates acted very responsibly in how they handled Skenes. The difference in a Starting Pitcher is getting him and his arm from being a once a week Pitcher in college to a start every 5th day pitcher in pro ball. The Pirates org will not like losing a year of service, but whether he pitched 100% of the year or 75% of the year, the Pirates got the benefit, and he deserves the benefit provided by the CBA. Anybody out there in the PR business that can estimate his worth to the Pirates and the City of Pittsburgh in 2024 from a public relations standpoint? Begin with him being selected to start the All Star Game, and the appearance and interview of he and Livvy D on the red Carpet. He put the Pirates on Page 1.
Jackson Chourio has a legit shot at being in the top 2 in voting this year. If he keeps hitting like he has the last 2 plus months, coupled with Yelich going down- that’s a hell of a story line that voters like.
One area of credit to the front office, they set a plan for Skenes and stuck to it. They didn't rush him up for the PIP potential and didn't hold him back to June for Super2 reasons. The benefit may be telling someday or may not but they did Skenes right in his personal development and Jones as well.
The most encouraging aspect of Chandler’s performance (IMO,) was his slider, I know the FB is plus, to plus-plus, his change is above average it as far as I understood his breaking pitches were lagging behind…
I'm encouraged by Chandler and maybe he'll follow the Jones' path but we'll get lucky and have him stay healthy enough to earn us a draft pick (and more importantly a postseason spot).
But seeing River Ryan go down so suddenly from dominating us to needing TJ has me spooked about getting optimistic about anyone but Skenes.
The big thing with AAA is they use MLB balls. Chandler did lose a little VB with the MLB balls in AAA but it’s still an elite, elite FB.
And wait till Pirates fans get to see Gavin Adams. It’s another elite FB. The SL is inconsistent, same w/ the CH(along with being a little too firm) but when he has the feel for them, they are on both are nasty too.
I really hope the Pirates give him a chance to start. He was gonna get that chance at FSU b4 the injury and Arnold and Leiter broke out. That FSU rotation was predicted to be Leiter, Gavin Adams, Tejada Jr and Dorsey as their midweek. That’s what everyone expected the rotation to be during the fall.
Adams FB is just nasty though. He looks just like Jacob Misiorowski but one or two inches shorter. And not b/c they were both top JUCO arms either; that’s just happenstance. They are just so similar.
Just looking at what the list will look like for the candidates to make up the 2025 Rotation - Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, Bailey Falter, Luis Ortiz, Thomas Harrington, Bubba Chandler, and possibly Johan Oviedo by May.
Just a note on Aroldis Chapman who started the year with some pretty bad numbers. In June, July, and so far in August he has pitched 26.1 innings in late inning relief with a 2.39 ERA, only 11 BB, 39 K, and has been the rock holding it together. Tip of the cap to Kyle Nicolas who has arrived with 44 IP, and a 2.86 ERA so far. A lot of injuries in the BP, but guys like Chapman and Nicolas have been stellar.
Well, almost a veritable lock that Paul Skenes and Jackson Merrill of SD will finish 1-2 either way in the ROY Voting, thereby assuring both will earn a full year of MLB Service. I think Merrill started the season with the Padres going straight from AA (.782 OPS in ~200 PA) in 2023 to starting CF in 2024 for the Padres. Skenes only had about 5 innings or professional ball in 2023, and was promoted to the Pirates in early May 2024.
I know what the rules say, but the Pirates acted very responsibly in how they handled Skenes. The difference in a Starting Pitcher is getting him and his arm from being a once a week Pitcher in college to a start every 5th day pitcher in pro ball. The Pirates org will not like losing a year of service, but whether he pitched 100% of the year or 75% of the year, the Pirates got the benefit, and he deserves the benefit provided by the CBA. Anybody out there in the PR business that can estimate his worth to the Pirates and the City of Pittsburgh in 2024 from a public relations standpoint? Begin with him being selected to start the All Star Game, and the appearance and interview of he and Livvy D on the red Carpet. He put the Pirates on Page 1.
Jackson Chourio has a legit shot at being in the top 2 in voting this year. If he keeps hitting like he has the last 2 plus months, coupled with Yelich going down- that’s a hell of a story line that voters like.
One area of credit to the front office, they set a plan for Skenes and stuck to it. They didn't rush him up for the PIP potential and didn't hold him back to June for Super2 reasons. The benefit may be telling someday or may not but they did Skenes right in his personal development and Jones as well.
The most encouraging aspect of Chandler’s performance (IMO,) was his slider, I know the FB is plus, to plus-plus, his change is above average it as far as I understood his breaking pitches were lagging behind…
Nailed it.
Bubba is focused and has his eye on the prize.
I'm encouraged by Chandler and maybe he'll follow the Jones' path but we'll get lucky and have him stay healthy enough to earn us a draft pick (and more importantly a postseason spot).
But seeing River Ryan go down so suddenly from dominating us to needing TJ has me spooked about getting optimistic about anyone but Skenes.