I assume this is a response to the Siani comment? He spent most of 2024 in Altoona, where his .692 OPS was slightly above league average. The AFL is about equal to AA in talent level, so it's like an extension to his Altoona time, albeit in a league much better for offense.
I think you are right about his Spring Training chances, but he should spend plenty of time in Indianapolis during the 2025 season.
Diamond was a random pick for the starter. Half of the starters and 1/3 of the relievers in the league couldn't pitch in the game due to their schedule. He ranks fifth on Scottsdale in ERA and all four of the guys above him pitched in AA during the 2024 season. There are three Major League pitchers in the league and 23 guys total who were 25+ when the season started. Another 23 pitchers are 24 years old. That's a lot for a six-team league. Average age of Double-A pitchers this year was 24.4 across all four leagues. It's about AA in talent.
The offense in the AFL is always higher than the Eastern League, so it's not a surprise that he does better. The ball travels better in the Arizona air. We are also talking about a small sample size in this league.
You can also look the other way for stats. The oldest batter in the league among regulars in 26-year-old Quincy Hamilton, who put up an .814 OPS in AAA this year over 99 games. He has a .619 OPS in the AFL, which has a higher league OPS. Did he suddenly forget how to hit AA pitchers, or is it just something you'll see in a partial season? Ryan Ritter hit .270 during the Eastern League season this year and his .097 average is the lowest in the AFL.
Whoops, I must have bumped the screen and stopped replying.
We have such a huge lack of depth in the Outfield prospects. I suppose Jack Suwinski could bounce back and regain some of his swing, but aside from him. Ita kinda bare.
Sammy could be a big developmental success if he could make his way to the Majors.
Sammy Siani has posted and maintained some impressive numbers in the AFL. He's Top 10 in hits and OPS, and Top 20 in HR and RBI - he should be someone to watch in ST 2025. Probably not for the final 26 heading North, but not far out of the picture.
With the quality of signings that the Pirates have made so far this off-season (?), maybe I am underestimating his capability of making the final roster out of ST.
Darnaud’s contract makes me wonder what Grandal gets. Same age and similar projected production for next season. Doubt anyone goes to a second year on Grandal though.
Interesting comparison. Fangraphs has Grandal worth 1.4 WAR over only 72 games, and Skenes said he loved pitching to him. Given that, I think he'll get a similar deal.
For almost any year in the past I'd advocate for re-signing Grandal to be a backup and mentor a younger catcher. But with Bart, Endy, and Henry, that doesn't make sense.
I'd probably entertain bringing back Grandal. He had a huge 2nd half after struggling initially coming back from injury.
Bart is kinda of a butcher back there. Henry and Endy shouldn't be counted on. Put them in Indy and let them marinate. Need to be patient with C's as they take the longest to develop.
I'd be shocked if he made the last 3 rounds of cuts in ST. He only made it up to a Greensboro and he's been decent in his time on the minors.
I'd be happy if he ended the 2025 season in Indy.
I assume this is a response to the Siani comment? He spent most of 2024 in Altoona, where his .692 OPS was slightly above league average. The AFL is about equal to AA in talent level, so it's like an extension to his Altoona time, albeit in a league much better for offense.
I think you are right about his Spring Training chances, but he should spend plenty of time in Indianapolis during the 2025 season.
Hitting might be AA
Pitching is probably not equal to AA.
Derek Diamond started the AFL ASG...He has yet to make it to Altoona. he had a 4.80 era and 4.62 fip for Greensboro
Diamond was a random pick for the starter. Half of the starters and 1/3 of the relievers in the league couldn't pitch in the game due to their schedule. He ranks fifth on Scottsdale in ERA and all four of the guys above him pitched in AA during the 2024 season. There are three Major League pitchers in the league and 23 guys total who were 25+ when the season started. Another 23 pitchers are 24 years old. That's a lot for a six-team league. Average age of Double-A pitchers this year was 24.4 across all four leagues. It's about AA in talent.
Appreciate the response, but I have to disagree with the pitching talent.
Just because 3 guys pitched in the majors, doesn't make them good.
I don't think Siani went from league average vs AA arms to Juan Soto overnight.
The offense in the AFL is always higher than the Eastern League, so it's not a surprise that he does better. The ball travels better in the Arizona air. We are also talking about a small sample size in this league.
You can also look the other way for stats. The oldest batter in the league among regulars in 26-year-old Quincy Hamilton, who put up an .814 OPS in AAA this year over 99 games. He has a .619 OPS in the AFL, which has a higher league OPS. Did he suddenly forget how to hit AA pitchers, or is it just something you'll see in a partial season? Ryan Ritter hit .270 during the Eastern League season this year and his .097 average is the lowest in the AFL.
Whoops, I must have bumped the screen and stopped replying.
We have such a huge lack of depth in the Outfield prospects. I suppose Jack Suwinski could bounce back and regain some of his swing, but aside from him. Ita kinda bare.
Sammy could be a big developmental success if he could make his way to the Majors.
Sammy Siani has posted and maintained some impressive numbers in the AFL. He's Top 10 in hits and OPS, and Top 20 in HR and RBI - he should be someone to watch in ST 2025. Probably not for the final 26 heading North, but not far out of the picture.
With the quality of signings that the Pirates have made so far this off-season (?), maybe I am underestimating his capability of making the final roster out of ST.
Darnaud’s contract makes me wonder what Grandal gets. Same age and similar projected production for next season. Doubt anyone goes to a second year on Grandal though.
Interesting comparison. Fangraphs has Grandal worth 1.4 WAR over only 72 games, and Skenes said he loved pitching to him. Given that, I think he'll get a similar deal.
For almost any year in the past I'd advocate for re-signing Grandal to be a backup and mentor a younger catcher. But with Bart, Endy, and Henry, that doesn't make sense.
I'd probably entertain bringing back Grandal. He had a huge 2nd half after struggling initially coming back from injury.
Bart is kinda of a butcher back there. Henry and Endy shouldn't be counted on. Put them in Indy and let them marinate. Need to be patient with C's as they take the longest to develop.
Not having to worry about catching depth is sure a nice problem to have.
Is anyone else seeing comments just cut off in mid sentence? I’ve noticed this for a few days on the app. It’s not every comment either.
Yes. Your comment cuts off at “it’s.”
Same. It’s not every comment, but it seems to pop up arbitrarily.