He’s throwing harder now. When he was struggling in class A, he was more like 94. He seemed dead in the water but things changed. Throwing a lot more strikes.
Five spots locked up in the bullpen and Mlodzinski a virtual 6th, assuming he and Ferguson do not pitch in the rotation, which I consider highly, highly likely. Strzelecki and Wentz are out of options and therefore the favorites. Nicolas has a shot. Oviedo or Burrows could also fill a role. I’m already wondering if Tanner Rainey has a better shot than 10%.
Normally I'd think so, too. Two things make this seem different. One is that, last year, there were times his control was so bad I thought they'd send him down, but they didn't. The other is Shelton saying a few days ago that he has late-inning stuff. Just a guess, but I think they're trying to build him into Plan B for closer.
Nitpicking post so not a big deal but...... I don't defend the Bucs often but the leveraging options is not some Pirate thing IMO. It is a very real and smart thing to retain needed depth as there will be many AAA to MLB and back moves throughout the year and at times may mean a lesser (hopefully not much) player will be in the majors realizing by the end of the year they will be needed. The end of bullpen and bench players are the most likely candidates. I personally don't think they abuse or misuse it. I am with WTM and feel Nicolas is very likely to make the opening day roster but just like others if they feel strongly about others his option ability could make him a candidate for demotion. It clearly is not an exact science without the aid of Marty McFly.
Especially love to see that kinda velocity out of a lefty. His good off speed stuff playing off that velocity could turn him into a solid option sooner rather than later.
Looks like a softball player with that swing. I'm pulling for him, but skeptical over a large sample size. With his strong defensive play, it would be awesome to see him breakout.
I'm rooting for the guy. I just don't see how that swing works vs MLB arms. It's almost like he has a hitch in the middle of his swing. One of the ugliest swings I've seen.
29 other teams had a chance to snag him, and they all passed.
The way he has hit in the 2 games is nothing new with Gorski. His glove and arm are above average as well. He also had games where he struck out a lot. I heard him say recently he put in a bunch of work this off-season trying something new, I am pulling for the guy.
To me this is the key - 'trying something new'. While that is a common basic spring training statement, it seems clear the Pirates and 29 other teams don't buy into his hitting approach/swing and also didn't see an easy fix for what ever reason. Without something different this just feels like another fun spring training 2 game hot streak that will lead to the same (K rate way to high) result as other years.
The slow pitch softball player doesn't sum up his game. He has a good glove in the outfield and has a cannon for an arm, pretty accurate also. He has averaged 20 stolen bases a year over the last 3 years, plus he is a smart player. The only knock against him that I have seen is he strikes out 3 times as much as he walks.
Good point Scott. Gorski's minor league career his k/walk ratio was 3.22. The Pirates majore league was 3.10. The Yankees were 1.97. The Rockies were 3.56.
The slow pitch softball statement was not about Gorski's skills it was in response to if he is hitting homers why aren't others also hitting homers off these same pitchers. My take was even A pitchers aren't lobbing the ball(slow pitch) so everybody can hit it and hitting any pitcher is still hard even on their bad days. Yes, Gorski absolutely seems to have all the skills accept hitting.
Is he hitting his HR's off major league pitchers or the late game flotsam & jetsam that usually hits the mound? Just a question, as I have no idea, but that's usually what I think first when someone's putting on a power display in ST.
Because hitting a baseball is hard even against lower level pitching. It still isn't slow pitch softball. They still may hit their spots or fool hitters. Maybe Gorski hit their biggest meat balls of the day or maybe he had tremendous at bats and swings. I'd love for it to be the latter.
Still early, but VG to see both he and Jack Suwinski answer the bell with their bats and put themselves in the conversation. Jack would probably have the edge because he has done it before at the MLB level, and the Pirates desperately need a LH power bat in the order.
Matt Gorski is on a very strong run to make this team, with 3 HR and 9 RBI. And, all 3 HR were off RHP's and iirc, 2 were to RF. Jack Suwinski looking very good also - showing very positive signs after a very bad 2024 following a 26 HR effort in 2023. At C, Henry Davis showing well also, as is Endy.
Great to see the Pirates give Jhonny Severino, 20, a cameo appearance and he responded with a double - he's one of the leaders of that excellent young group of ballplayers that did very well at FCL and then were promoted to A late in 2024. Excellent group of hitters, fielders, and pitchers!
Box score watching - in the win the Pirates had 6 BB/4 K; in the loss, very lopsided 1 BB/ 10 K.
Interested in your first graph. Imagine last season if Suwinski and Gorski and Davis and Endy were that much better....
AAAANNNNNDDDD I need to reiterate that the other day I saw an article on RumBunter that had Thomas Harrington's sweeper rated at a Stuff+ of (get this) 164.
With all these pitching metrics, I am really interested how the Bucs put their rotation and pen together and what the philosophy underpinning them will be.... (I guess something like : "throw good.")
__________________________________
“Y’know, maybe there is no intelligent life out there in the universe after all.”
Baseball Prospectus has their Bucs season profile up. Has them at 75-87.
Any chance of Eddy Yean being something this year? That heavy sinker he could be a Jared Hughes type of firemen.
He’s throwing harder now. When he was struggling in class A, he was more like 94. He seemed dead in the water but things changed. Throwing a lot more strikes.
I didn't realize he weighs 270 lbs!
Ha, me neither.
Defensive End.
Relief Pitchers
David Bednar…………100%
Caleb Ferguson……..100%
Colin Holderman…….100%
Dennis Santana………100%
Tim Mayza……………..100%
Carmen Mlodzinski….90%
Pete Strzelecki………..60%
Joey Wentz……………..50%
Kyle Nicolas…………….30%
Chase Shugart…………10%
Ryan Borucki……………10%
Tanner Rainey………….10%
5% for Isaac Matson, Ryder Ryan, Yohan Ramirez, Burch Smith, Cam Sanders
0% for Eddy Yean, Dauri Moreta (DL), Brett de Geus (DFA), snd Yerry Rodriguez (released).
Five spots locked up in the bullpen and Mlodzinski a virtual 6th, assuming he and Ferguson do not pitch in the rotation, which I consider highly, highly likely. Strzelecki and Wentz are out of options and therefore the favorites. Nicolas has a shot. Oviedo or Burrows could also fill a role. I’m already wondering if Tanner Rainey has a better shot than 10%.
I’d put Nicolas more like 80%. I think they see him as one of their key guys.
Knowing how the Pirates are, I suspect they’ll use his minor league options rather than DFA Wentz or Strzelecki. But I could easily be wrong.
Normally I'd think so, too. Two things make this seem different. One is that, last year, there were times his control was so bad I thought they'd send him down, but they didn't. The other is Shelton saying a few days ago that he has late-inning stuff. Just a guess, but I think they're trying to build him into Plan B for closer.
Nitpicking post so not a big deal but...... I don't defend the Bucs often but the leveraging options is not some Pirate thing IMO. It is a very real and smart thing to retain needed depth as there will be many AAA to MLB and back moves throughout the year and at times may mean a lesser (hopefully not much) player will be in the majors realizing by the end of the year they will be needed. The end of bullpen and bench players are the most likely candidates. I personally don't think they abuse or misuse it. I am with WTM and feel Nicolas is very likely to make the opening day roster but just like others if they feel strongly about others his option ability could make him a candidate for demotion. It clearly is not an exact science without the aid of Marty McFly.
Nice to see Hunter Barco hitting 96. He's my "rooting for" guy!
I was very impressed with him yesterday. He looks like he could be something special.
Yeah. Excited to see him spend some time in Toon Town this spring.
He and Termar... Ones to watch.
BB
Especially love to see that kinda velocity out of a lefty. His good off speed stuff playing off that velocity could turn him into a solid option sooner rather than later.
So how are we feeling about Gorski as 4th OF and short side 1B platoon?
Looks like a softball player with that swing. I'm pulling for him, but skeptical over a large sample size. With his strong defensive play, it would be awesome to see him breakout.
I'm rooting for the guy. I just don't see how that swing works vs MLB arms. It's almost like he has a hitch in the middle of his swing. One of the ugliest swings I've seen.
29 other teams had a chance to snag him, and they all passed.
They passed twice.
Would love to see it.
Bucs weren't buying in on him last year, tho. Wondering why, and if he's put something together how much of a plus that would be for us.
BB
The way he has hit in the 2 games is nothing new with Gorski. His glove and arm are above average as well. He also had games where he struck out a lot. I heard him say recently he put in a bunch of work this off-season trying something new, I am pulling for the guy.
To me this is the key - 'trying something new'. While that is a common basic spring training statement, it seems clear the Pirates and 29 other teams don't buy into his hitting approach/swing and also didn't see an easy fix for what ever reason. Without something different this just feels like another fun spring training 2 game hot streak that will lead to the same (K rate way to high) result as other years.
The slow pitch softball player doesn't sum up his game. He has a good glove in the outfield and has a cannon for an arm, pretty accurate also. He has averaged 20 stolen bases a year over the last 3 years, plus he is a smart player. The only knock against him that I have seen is he strikes out 3 times as much as he walks.
Doesn’t the whole league SO 3X as much as they walk? Seems that way.
Good point Scott. Gorski's minor league career his k/walk ratio was 3.22. The Pirates majore league was 3.10. The Yankees were 1.97. The Rockies were 3.56.
The slow pitch softball statement was not about Gorski's skills it was in response to if he is hitting homers why aren't others also hitting homers off these same pitchers. My take was even A pitchers aren't lobbing the ball(slow pitch) so everybody can hit it and hitting any pitcher is still hard even on their bad days. Yes, Gorski absolutely seems to have all the skills accept hitting.
My bad. I should have posted that somewhere else as opposed to replying to your comment.
Is he hitting his HR's off major league pitchers or the late game flotsam & jetsam that usually hits the mound? Just a question, as I have no idea, but that's usually what I think first when someone's putting on a power display in ST.
Two were veteran up-and-down types, the third a 26 yo minor leaguer.
In other words, arms he sees in AAA.
Not much, but then again, why weren't a lot of others hitting HR's against this mediocre quality of pitching?
Because hitting a baseball is hard even against lower level pitching. It still isn't slow pitch softball. They still may hit their spots or fool hitters. Maybe Gorski hit their biggest meat balls of the day or maybe he had tremendous at bats and swings. I'd love for it to be the latter.
Because we are not a good hitting team...🤣
Still early, but VG to see both he and Jack Suwinski answer the bell with their bats and put themselves in the conversation. Jack would probably have the edge because he has done it before at the MLB level, and the Pirates desperately need a LH power bat in the order.
I definitely give Jack the inside track, but it would be nice to see Pirates have some quality depth for a change in the OF.
Offense was the whole problem last season... and a bullpen from Crazytown.
and because Jack is on the 40 man roster.
Excellent point.
Matt Gorski is on a very strong run to make this team, with 3 HR and 9 RBI. And, all 3 HR were off RHP's and iirc, 2 were to RF. Jack Suwinski looking very good also - showing very positive signs after a very bad 2024 following a 26 HR effort in 2023. At C, Henry Davis showing well also, as is Endy.
Great to see the Pirates give Jhonny Severino, 20, a cameo appearance and he responded with a double - he's one of the leaders of that excellent young group of ballplayers that did very well at FCL and then were promoted to A late in 2024. Excellent group of hitters, fielders, and pitchers!
Box score watching - in the win the Pirates had 6 BB/4 K; in the loss, very lopsided 1 BB/ 10 K.
How’d Peguro look?
I know this sounds bold, but if Peggy doesn't pick it up this spring, he might be one to lose his 40 man roster spot,
Mel.
Interested in your first graph. Imagine last season if Suwinski and Gorski and Davis and Endy were that much better....
AAAANNNNNDDDD I need to reiterate that the other day I saw an article on RumBunter that had Thomas Harrington's sweeper rated at a Stuff+ of (get this) 164.
With all these pitching metrics, I am really interested how the Bucs put their rotation and pen together and what the philosophy underpinning them will be.... (I guess something like : "throw good.")
__________________________________
“Y’know, maybe there is no intelligent life out there in the universe after all.”
-Wabbit
Ryan Borucki hit 95? Interesting?
Thinking the same thing.