Since we’re getting into DSL guys a little, good time to mention the Pirates’ top 2025 bonus guy, the younger DLS (Johan). He’s not quite 17 and he has a .780 OPS. In 18 games, just 5 Ks, plus 11 BBs and 10-12 SB.
Just to add a bit of info, Mola got something like $600K in 2023, but he injured his wrist that spring. Missed essentially all 2023 and a chunk of 2024. He got into only 30 games before this year, so this is his first real shot.
Mola’s stats so far this year in the DSL are really good —- slugging .533, more walks than strikeouts, and 12 for 13 in stolen bases. Since he is 19, this is an important move for him and a logical one for the Pirates to see if he is a real prospect.
Aside to WTM - great picture of that little kid with the hat that's too big for him! Still only 19 - time to get him some exposure to A+ before shutting him down?
[Dupe of recent comment made on yesterday's Daily Rundown]
I saw Callis' appearance on the NS9 podcast. He said that us getting Arquette in his mocks consistently isn't because he has any intel that our management team is hot on Arquette. It's mainly that he doesn't have a great sense of how a lot of the picks are going to go and that he feels by 6, Arquette should have gone to someone. So, he ends up with us. He consistently reiterated that other than Anderson and Holliday, who he's confident will go top 5 (but not necessarily where), he doesn't have strong intel on who will end up where.
WRT the bleacherreport story, I hadn't realized that three position players (Kurtz, Caglianone, and Moore) are already playing in the majors, though only Kurtz is having success.
Also, unfortunately it looks like the Cardinals may have hit on another pick (Weatherholt). And since they mentioned Winn, I recall someone at P2 recommending him as a 2nd round pick and based on then reading a little about him, thought yes he should be our guy. I can't complain about the Jones pick (so far, the 3rd most bWAR from the 2nd round) but Winn trails only two 1st-rounders, Crochet and PCA, and Strider (4th round) in bWAR. Especially impressive since he was selected out of HS.
There were several prospects that didn't go to the draft combine and submit their medicals. Most were college players in the college World Series and can still submit them. Others like Holliday, Willits, Schoolcraft and a few college players didn't go. I think it was Joe Doyle but not sure, said it leaves them in line to take less than the 75% without the medicals.
The Nationals have met with 5 or 6 of those players, while a few has with Seattle and the Angels. The top 3 or 4 of those prospects probably know it's a toss up and trying to guarantee themselves 8 or 9 million to go in the top few picks.
Just my opinion, but after Joey Bart, Henry Davis, 26, and Endy Rodriguez, 25, the next Catcher with a "bright" future is Omar Alfonzo, 22, just promoted to AA a week ago. After Alfonzo comes Axiel Plaz, 20, just promoted to A+, and Richard Ramirez, 20, just promoted to A. Forgot to mention Derek Berg, a 10th Round pick out of West Point. We need to bring him up for a game to Catch Paul Skenes and have a battery of an Air Force Academy Pitcher (Skenes) throwing to an Army Catcher - probably something that has never happened?
Henry Davis is coming back from down years, and gaining confidence in his play behind the plate and his hitting. Bart is struggling and Davis could be seen as the best we have right now if he can continue to build on what he has already done this year. Endy Rodriguez had passed Davis in 2023, then injury put him out for almost all of 2024, and he is on the IL again, but should return after the All Star Break. If Endy gets back on the field, the Pirates will be very strong at the Catcher position going into 2026.
I've heard that Irish doesn't want to play C. IMO, if you have a bat that's good enough to take that high in the draft, I think you at least have to consider moving them off C to a position where they can focus on the bat and can stay on the field more, especially if you already have good C depth. DH helps keep that good hitting C in the lineup, but I believe C's need more time off to let their bodies recover than other position players. I also get that you also benefit enormously from having a plus bat at C, but I'd try to find them in later rounds or when you draft later in the 1st.
The prep work and game planning that catchers put in can also be a distraction from hitting or just mentally taxing after a 162 game season. My ideal situation is a team that has 3 good hitting catchers that can rotate behind the plate. For this to work, they have to be able to play other positions and the DH spot has to be available as well.
Cubs Place Jameson Taillon On 15-Day. Keller to the Cubs for_________
Owen Cassie is one of the only reasonable guys I would do 1 for 1
Yankees Place Clarke Schmidt On 15 day. Keller to the Yanks for_______?
Ben Rice and JT Brubaker (after seeing another couple outings).
Since we’re getting into DSL guys a little, good time to mention the Pirates’ top 2025 bonus guy, the younger DLS (Johan). He’s not quite 17 and he has a .780 OPS. In 18 games, just 5 Ks, plus 11 BBs and 10-12 SB.
Morel with an rbi double so far today.
Batting almost .300 now with an OPS right under 1.000
Promote him lol
when's the last time the pirates had a 17 year old in the fcl?
Don't know?
Wasn’t Suero very briefly 17 when he first got to the Pirates?
Doing quick math, yes Suero technically was 17 when he got to the Pirates after the trade.
Someone can check my math though
From the game or two I saw, speed every bit as advertised
Raymond Mola and Bralyn Brazoban assigned to the FCL today.
Complex team a little light on players due to injuries/promotions.
Saw Mola play in a couple of games while he was in the DSL. Hit ball hard. Intrigued to see more
Just to add a bit of info, Mola got something like $600K in 2023, but he injured his wrist that spring. Missed essentially all 2023 and a chunk of 2024. He got into only 30 games before this year, so this is his first real shot.
my prayers have been answered by the baseball gods
Lol, you were just mentioning this the other day. Now speak a legit power bat into existence!
Saw Mola play two games on some random streams for the DSL. He might still be interesting
Brazoban still 18 but it’s been ugly
Mola’s stats so far this year in the DSL are really good —- slugging .533, more walks than strikeouts, and 12 for 13 in stolen bases. Since he is 19, this is an important move for him and a logical one for the Pirates to see if he is a real prospect.
Damn, didn’t expect promotions from there. Eager to see them.
I didn’t either. If anything feel like they shoulda sent Mola and another IF. But eager to see them both.
Imma be on the road during the FCL game hopefully service is good and I can watch on my phone
“another IF”
Morel, eh . . . ?
Morel might warrant another trip down there. Especially if Mola and Brazoban there too
This makes me a little concerned about how safe of a driver you are ;)
Convinced the Mrs to drive so I can watch the game. Didn’t tell her that WTM gave me a heads up the game was postponed so still not driving 😂
You CAD!!!
If you mean today's game, it's been postponed. Supposed to play two in Sarasota tomorrow, but they'll be lucky to do that.
Whelp. That’s unfortunate.
Aside to WTM - great picture of that little kid with the hat that's too big for him! Still only 19 - time to get him some exposure to A+ before shutting him down?
I think he spends the whole year at Bradenton, which at his age is fine.
As you pointed out, still has some filling out to do 😂
He’s bigger now.
Haha.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25219285-checking-every-mlb-teams-1st-round-pick-2024-draft
They all want Special K. Everyone knows it.
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-mock-draft-july-3-2025
I never heard of what MLB mentions on pick two and signing bonus. Random.
[Dupe of recent comment made on yesterday's Daily Rundown]
I saw Callis' appearance on the NS9 podcast. He said that us getting Arquette in his mocks consistently isn't because he has any intel that our management team is hot on Arquette. It's mainly that he doesn't have a great sense of how a lot of the picks are going to go and that he feels by 6, Arquette should have gone to someone. So, he ends up with us. He consistently reiterated that other than Anderson and Holliday, who he's confident will go top 5 (but not necessarily where), he doesn't have strong intel on who will end up where.
WRT the bleacherreport story, I hadn't realized that three position players (Kurtz, Caglianone, and Moore) are already playing in the majors, though only Kurtz is having success.
Also, unfortunately it looks like the Cardinals may have hit on another pick (Weatherholt). And since they mentioned Winn, I recall someone at P2 recommending him as a 2nd round pick and based on then reading a little about him, thought yes he should be our guy. I can't complain about the Jones pick (so far, the 3rd most bWAR from the 2nd round) but Winn trails only two 1st-rounders, Crochet and PCA, and Strider (4th round) in bWAR. Especially impressive since he was selected out of HS.
I wanted JJ last year but Konnor is fine by me.
That is interesting about the 75% rule and makes me wonder if a team has an agreement in place with Irish.
There were several prospects that didn't go to the draft combine and submit their medicals. Most were college players in the college World Series and can still submit them. Others like Holliday, Willits, Schoolcraft and a few college players didn't go. I think it was Joe Doyle but not sure, said it leaves them in line to take less than the 75% without the medicals.
The Nationals have met with 5 or 6 of those players, while a few has with Seattle and the Angels. The top 3 or 4 of those prospects probably know it's a toss up and trying to guarantee themselves 8 or 9 million to go in the top few picks.
That would make sense as to why he’s all of a sudden jumping into top 5 in a lot of mocks
Question---if the Pirates were to trade Joey Bart this month---are any of the catchers currently in Indy have a bright future?
Just my opinion, but after Joey Bart, Henry Davis, 26, and Endy Rodriguez, 25, the next Catcher with a "bright" future is Omar Alfonzo, 22, just promoted to AA a week ago. After Alfonzo comes Axiel Plaz, 20, just promoted to A+, and Richard Ramirez, 20, just promoted to A. Forgot to mention Derek Berg, a 10th Round pick out of West Point. We need to bring him up for a game to Catch Paul Skenes and have a battery of an Air Force Academy Pitcher (Skenes) throwing to an Army Catcher - probably something that has never happened?
Henry Davis is coming back from down years, and gaining confidence in his play behind the plate and his hitting. Bart is struggling and Davis could be seen as the best we have right now if he can continue to build on what he has already done this year. Endy Rodriguez had passed Davis in 2023, then injury put him out for almost all of 2024, and he is on the IL again, but should return after the All Star Break. If Endy gets back on the field, the Pirates will be very strong at the Catcher position going into 2026.
I’m on board with the Pirates taking Ike Irish but our depth at catcher makes me second guess my hope a bit.
This seems pretty unlikely, but I’m hoping one of the college backstops floats to 50.
Brooks Bryan from Troy in the 4th or 5th round looks like good value.
I've heard that Irish doesn't want to play C. IMO, if you have a bat that's good enough to take that high in the draft, I think you at least have to consider moving them off C to a position where they can focus on the bat and can stay on the field more, especially if you already have good C depth. DH helps keep that good hitting C in the lineup, but I believe C's need more time off to let their bodies recover than other position players. I also get that you also benefit enormously from having a plus bat at C, but I'd try to find them in later rounds or when you draft later in the 1st.
The prep work and game planning that catchers put in can also be a distraction from hitting or just mentally taxing after a 162 game season. My ideal situation is a team that has 3 good hitting catchers that can rotate behind the plate. For this to work, they have to be able to play other positions and the DH spot has to be available as well.