16 Comments

JT Brubaker threw 2 in extended this week, due back around the All Star Break.

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The Pirates did not waste any time bringing Bruihl into the BP and as has been his rep, he throws a lot of GB's. With the news that Borucki is basically lost for the year, this could be a solid add. Grew up in the Dodgers org and one year in the altitude of Colorado where breaking pitches go to die. Pittsburgh should be a positive environment for him.

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The Pirates did not waste any time bringing Bruihl into the BP and as has been his rep, he throws a lot of GB's. With the news that Borucki is basically lost for the year, this could be a solid add. Grew up in the Dodgers org and one year in the altitude of Colorado where breaking pitches go to die. Pittsburgh should be a positive environment for him.

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Disappointed they didn’t call up Ashcraft to pitch Saturday. Then again, I’m not surprised, as I know how much BC/DS love a bullpen game.

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I think someone brought this up in the game thread but I'm guessing that's why we didn't see Ortiz last night. If Ortiz was held out because of plans for a bullpen game, then I disagree with that move--who knows how the game would have turned out if it was Ortiz for 2-3 innings instead of Heller and Nicolas? And as you suggest, there were options then for Saturday (it would have required resting Aschcraft last night, but Ben should have had that as a contingency).

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JohnSix brought it up, think most figured that would be the plan...Falter, Ortiz, then see where we stand

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Falter and Ortiz and let’s see where we is.

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If Ortiz and/or some type of bullpen game was the plan all along, no reason to take Ashcraft off his regular routine. IMO that is too much contingency. I'd'prefer adding some fungible (It's Plass day I say in jest) AAA starter for one day if a contingency is needed vs. mess with Ashcraft. I think I am in the minority (not vehemently) of wanting Ashcraft to just continue his normal climb ie. continue to conquer AA (close?) and move to AAA for that test. I stated some reasons below so I won't repeat myself.

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I wouldn't disagree at all if they want to leave Ashcraft on a regular schedule and/or have the full year in the minors.

I do think, though, if Ortiz is our best long man (I think he is, though that's more by default since none of the others have earned my trust), they needed to have some plan in place where they could turn to him in a situation like last night. They may have had a plan--any competent FO would have at least plans a, b, and c because you never know what could happen, including injuries and extra innings. It just seemed a bit odd that in a 5-4 game (and 4-4 when he started warming up), that we'd choose to go with Heller for his first appearance with us than with Ortiz or, say, Stratton (who would have been my next choice). Maybe those guys were being saved for later innings and then that became a moot point when Heller let the game get out of hand.

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I get your points but IMO maybe slightly over Monday morning QBing. If Priester isn't hurt , I am guessing Ortiz does pitch yesterday. Once they cross Ortiz off then they are into the shaky part of their bullpen and Heller could have seemed as logical as Mlot or Nicholas given their recent performances - while not a lot of MLB time Heller is not a green horn 22 yearold rookie. At some point they do start deciding on holding somebody for Saturday - Ortiz, Ashcraft, fungible add to 40 and drop (Plass etc.). And even the best run teams (I see a lot of the Braves and they without a doubt have done this) at times throw somebody out there because they are on contingency plan C or D.

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I know the Altoona Curve are struggling, but is there some reason why Braxton Ashcraft was kept in the game through 7 IP, 93 pitches last night? He was handled very carefully in his TJ Rehab year of 2023, limited to 4 IP per Start, and totaling only 46 IP for the year. In April 2024 he had 4 starts averaging 58 pitches per start. In May 2024 that increased to 6 starts, average of 78 pitches/start, and during May he did throw 2 or 3 games where the number of pitches were in the 80's.

If we are hoping he could be a possible late season contributor to the Pirates in 2024, or a very valuable trade asset, I would think we would manage his pitch count, keeping the number of pitches in the 80's, and the innings to 5 or 6 at most. He has already pitched 53.2 innings with 4 months still remaining in the 2024 season. Good chance he gets bumped up to AAA soon, and hopefully, the Pirates have considered what a reasonable cap on the number of innings pitched should be for 2024.

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Jun 7·edited Jun 7

All I have is theories as none of us know but given how they have handled him I feel pretty confident nobody (coach / Ashcraft) went rogue ie. off plan. Looking at the box score looks like he had a rough first inning then was in full control so maybe his final 50 pitches were 'low' stress. My theory (with your help referencing the 2 or 3 games in May of 80+ pitches) is that they will continue to stretch him out as the GREAT news is that he is fully re-established as a starter. Last year was a bit of a tease as IMO you can never be sure how 3 innings (much of last year) translates to going 6+ innings. I am still not as interested as others in pushing him to a random MLB start. Knowing how Priester / Ortiz and many others have looked good at AA and AAA only hit to be taught a lesson at the MLB level, I don't see any reason to risk him losing his rhythm for one start when optimistically he still looks like he could someday be a legit starter at the MLB level. I am interested when he will be given the push to start the AAA test.

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"he had a rough first inning then was in full control so maybe his final 50 pitches were 'low' stress"

Exactly my thought. He got on a roll and they went with it.

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With Priester on the injured list I'd be surprised if Ashcraft is not packing his bags already! He is still only in his age 24 season and has the stature 6'5" 195 of a SP that many other teams would love to have. Could be the last year that the Pirates buy SP's to get us to the Trade Deadline.

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Jeffries pitched on Wednesday Anthony.

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I was actually thinking that Priester was looking better to me, slowly improving, bit bummed he is hurt...guess see him again in early July🤷‍♂️

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