The constant singing, drums, dancers didn't bother me as much as Dominican games. I think MLB properly positioned the mics so that it was mild background noise. They also had traditional organ, so it was really well done.
Four pitch clock violations by Padres pitchers. And 9 walks. I'd be pissed at Marin if either/or happens. Dodgers pen was Brasier, Daniel Hudson (is he like 40?), Joe Kelly (is he like 40?) and Evan Phillips to close. Got to see Matsui for first time, has good stuff!
Freak play with Croneworth's glove failing was play of the game. Also it appeared Roberts wanted a review, but waited too long and was denied. Something to watch Shelty.
And the Dodgers took the lead on a play that I expect to see happen to the Pirates (though the Padres aren't known for their share of luck either)--Cronenworth had the ball go through his glove's webbing...and then Betts and Ohtani took a lot of the suspense out of the game.
I'll give my late spring training observation (maybe slight rant). I'm excited about the spring and how it may lead to a better season but feel we are a bit too infatuated over McKinney and Triolo. I love the Triolo / Peguero 2B job share as they also provide great coverage for the Cruz and Hayes days off as well as allowing Joe to slide to the OF for all RH lineups. Triolo IS a ballplayer but me over-reading posts feels we think he is Mookie Betts. With the glove he may be Mookie light.. but let's get a better sample with the bat before he is an All-Star candidate. His history is a lot of Ks and soft hit balls (hopefully some related to hamate injury). Ultimately that suggests our excitement on the offensive side may be premature. McKinney may be > Palacios however he also has 800 MLB at bats that says this is more likely a hot spring not an actual prediction for full year success. I personally wouldn't want to lose the possibility (a little better than lottery ticket) of CSNs further development(or other 40 man casualty prospects) than to add McKinney to the 40 man. I do think the last OF spot needs to be a lefty and think the current 2 choices are really 26th roster spot quality at best. If we add McKinney I think we drop Palacios and just keep it that simple. Given Palacios 'clutch' magic last year, in many ways I think that should count more than his 0-11 start and McKinneys 44 plate appearance hot streak. Would anybody be surprised if McKinney was 0 for his next 11(likely with a walk or two) given his MLB history? I'll sleep fine either way. Let's go Bucs!!
McKinney had an xwOBA of .346 with the yankees in 147 PA last year, showing something may have been working and spring doesn't hurt that story. I'm gladly taking a chance on him. Palacios was a feel good story for a few of his HRs, but he has shown who he is more often to be a fringe player.
Look.. I hope it is real and info likes this can make me take a second look. To me at some level it is McKinney vs Palacios and neither to me is over inspiring. Professionals make adjustments and if he (and those making these roster decisions) feel he is the player of 147 PA last year then let's sign him up as the alternative is not an all-star. But I'll stick by dropping Palacios from the 40 man vs other alternatives. Selby is a popular choice but I see his age and what his 'stuff' could become and say why give up now. Williams is the only 'bubble' candidate for me as I felt the signing of Alcantara covered the same role - AAA glove only SS.
Triolo has always been a defensive specialist who can possibly hit at the MLB level. Twice voted as the best fielding 3B at different levels in the minors, and his work at 3B when Hayes was out last year was better than ever expected. Yes, he hit too, but his game is the insurance he provides for Hayes (136 and 124 games in the last two years). He has also proven to be a solid 2B, and can also play a little SS, if needed.
Fully agree on the defensive side. He was major league ready 2 years ago (maybe when he was drafted). Like I said.. I probably over-read posts but I am wait and see on the offensive side. My gut is a lot of posts are thinking ceiling for his offense vs. a more realistic - productive MLB player not star.
I do think the hamate recovery / impact is real. He SHOULD be on the team and get real playing time. I just read a lot of what I would call man crushes (not sure how many female posters we have).
lol there are definitely a lot of man crushes. Fans, especially yinzers, love the blue collar do it all types. I wouldn't say the hamate surgery had much to do with a rise in K%, as it generally saps power more than anything. The K% was abnormal for him, although not abnormal for a Pirates young hitter reaching the upper levels/majors.
Bryan Reynolds had hamate surgery in 2018, and then the power breakout in 2019. Therefore, Jared Triolo 2024 power breakout lol
A few former Pirates - Rodolfo Castro sent down to AAA by Philly, and Tucapita Marcano placed on the 10 Day IL by SD from the Knee Injury. Lot of action from teams picking up FA pitchers being signed to Minor League contracts - last gasp effort to fill holes before the season starts.
Will the Pirates be active this week? I'd be almost positive that BC is on the phone trying to find a landing spot for a few guys, and possibly even a trade. I like Celestino's D and hitting for average, but he is out of Options & will never be a power hitter. Young RH Hitting CF Wanted - what will it take to get Everson Pereira (23) from the Yankees? Be a nice get for later in 2024 and the future.
Tuca had a VG year for the Pirates last year, but the Knee injury was a killer, knowing he would miss time in 2024 also. Part of the "play anywhere" team of he and Bae, and one of the many MI guys. He can hit, but he was not going anywhere with the Pirates who had Cruz coming back and Peguero, still only 23, looking good in his half year of MLB. If I was looking for a breakout player, it would be Peguero.
Seems like that’s an ongoing issue w ZIPS. Heavy weights on MiLB performance relative to age spot out projections that may not be very good at translating for players like Tucu. This was the. Cole Tucker trap, too.
Feels like they don't have or aren't integrating batted ball data. The age-relativity presumes the prospect will continue physically developing as he advances when some of these dudes are just tapped out already. I have a hard time believing Tucu's A-ball data as a teen would come even close to translating in the show.
Loved the opener in Seoul. Takeaways:
I'd pay to watch Glasnow vs Darvish any day.
The constant singing, drums, dancers didn't bother me as much as Dominican games. I think MLB properly positioned the mics so that it was mild background noise. They also had traditional organ, so it was really well done.
Four pitch clock violations by Padres pitchers. And 9 walks. I'd be pissed at Marin if either/or happens. Dodgers pen was Brasier, Daniel Hudson (is he like 40?), Joe Kelly (is he like 40?) and Evan Phillips to close. Got to see Matsui for first time, has good stuff!
Freak play with Croneworth's glove failing was play of the game. Also it appeared Roberts wanted a review, but waited too long and was denied. Something to watch Shelty.
And the padres get dinked and doinked to death
For those who may have forgotten like I did initially, there is a game that counts going on now which you can watch at mlb.com!
Ohh, I dint forget about the game, but I did forget that about the blackout…..woke up early too…🙁
Almost still a spring training game for the Padres, the way they're burning through their bullpen.
And the Dodgers took the lead on a play that I expect to see happen to the Pirates (though the Padres aren't known for their share of luck either)--Cronenworth had the ball go through his glove's webbing...and then Betts and Ohtani took a lot of the suspense out of the game.
There was a chance that could've been inning ending DP, with how far the runners were off base. Instead the Pads are down 3 now lol
I guess they are figuring two games then a bunch of time off so they can afford it, but still its.... a strategy
I'll give my late spring training observation (maybe slight rant). I'm excited about the spring and how it may lead to a better season but feel we are a bit too infatuated over McKinney and Triolo. I love the Triolo / Peguero 2B job share as they also provide great coverage for the Cruz and Hayes days off as well as allowing Joe to slide to the OF for all RH lineups. Triolo IS a ballplayer but me over-reading posts feels we think he is Mookie Betts. With the glove he may be Mookie light.. but let's get a better sample with the bat before he is an All-Star candidate. His history is a lot of Ks and soft hit balls (hopefully some related to hamate injury). Ultimately that suggests our excitement on the offensive side may be premature. McKinney may be > Palacios however he also has 800 MLB at bats that says this is more likely a hot spring not an actual prediction for full year success. I personally wouldn't want to lose the possibility (a little better than lottery ticket) of CSNs further development(or other 40 man casualty prospects) than to add McKinney to the 40 man. I do think the last OF spot needs to be a lefty and think the current 2 choices are really 26th roster spot quality at best. If we add McKinney I think we drop Palacios and just keep it that simple. Given Palacios 'clutch' magic last year, in many ways I think that should count more than his 0-11 start and McKinneys 44 plate appearance hot streak. Would anybody be surprised if McKinney was 0 for his next 11(likely with a walk or two) given his MLB history? I'll sleep fine either way. Let's go Bucs!!
McKinney had an xwOBA of .346 with the yankees in 147 PA last year, showing something may have been working and spring doesn't hurt that story. I'm gladly taking a chance on him. Palacios was a feel good story for a few of his HRs, but he has shown who he is more often to be a fringe player.
Look.. I hope it is real and info likes this can make me take a second look. To me at some level it is McKinney vs Palacios and neither to me is over inspiring. Professionals make adjustments and if he (and those making these roster decisions) feel he is the player of 147 PA last year then let's sign him up as the alternative is not an all-star. But I'll stick by dropping Palacios from the 40 man vs other alternatives. Selby is a popular choice but I see his age and what his 'stuff' could become and say why give up now. Williams is the only 'bubble' candidate for me as I felt the signing of Alcantara covered the same role - AAA glove only SS.
Triolo has always been a defensive specialist who can possibly hit at the MLB level. Twice voted as the best fielding 3B at different levels in the minors, and his work at 3B when Hayes was out last year was better than ever expected. Yes, he hit too, but his game is the insurance he provides for Hayes (136 and 124 games in the last two years). He has also proven to be a solid 2B, and can also play a little SS, if needed.
Fully agree on the defensive side. He was major league ready 2 years ago (maybe when he was drafted). Like I said.. I probably over-read posts but I am wait and see on the offensive side. My gut is a lot of posts are thinking ceiling for his offense vs. a more realistic - productive MLB player not star.
The good news, strikeouts were never an issue for Triolo prior to 2023. The bad news, strikeouts were never an issue for Triolo prior to 2023.
The good news is making adjustments is a thing. The bad news is Pirates making adjustments is less of a thing, lol.
I do think the hamate recovery / impact is real. He SHOULD be on the team and get real playing time. I just read a lot of what I would call man crushes (not sure how many female posters we have).
lol there are definitely a lot of man crushes. Fans, especially yinzers, love the blue collar do it all types. I wouldn't say the hamate surgery had much to do with a rise in K%, as it generally saps power more than anything. The K% was abnormal for him, although not abnormal for a Pirates young hitter reaching the upper levels/majors.
Bryan Reynolds had hamate surgery in 2018, and then the power breakout in 2019. Therefore, Jared Triolo 2024 power breakout lol
Yinzers love the kids and hate any veteran.
The problem is the lack of quality vets the Bucs sign… Yinzers loved Butnett, Martin, Frankie etc when they contributed.
It’s a different story getting excited about Gonzo, Santana, MAT and others when there is little to no upside.
The yinzer hated those signing as well.
They didn't like them until they produced.
Mostly. There's some vets that'll get love if they're seen as "hard workers" or "hustle".
Or if they're Andrew McCutchen.
If he was any other player, he'd be blocking the kids. Guaranteed!
The back ups are always better.
Mason Rudolph certainly was.
Officially set in stone!
#BookIt
(Now I want a Pizza Hut personal pizza)
Man, I loved those as a kid
draft kings free no sweat bet!
A few former Pirates - Rodolfo Castro sent down to AAA by Philly, and Tucapita Marcano placed on the 10 Day IL by SD from the Knee Injury. Lot of action from teams picking up FA pitchers being signed to Minor League contracts - last gasp effort to fill holes before the season starts.
Will the Pirates be active this week? I'd be almost positive that BC is on the phone trying to find a landing spot for a few guys, and possibly even a trade. I like Celestino's D and hitting for average, but he is out of Options & will never be a power hitter. Young RH Hitting CF Wanted - what will it take to get Everson Pereira (23) from the Yankees? Be a nice get for later in 2024 and the future.
Options don’t matter for Celestino right now since he’s on a minor league deal.
It’ll be interesting if they try and make a trade though.
Marcano as a breakout guy is interesting, imma have to go read that
He notes that it is an "out there" pick.
Tuca had a VG year for the Pirates last year, but the Knee injury was a killer, knowing he would miss time in 2024 also. Part of the "play anywhere" team of he and Bae, and one of the many MI guys. He can hit, but he was not going anywhere with the Pirates who had Cruz coming back and Peguero, still only 23, looking good in his half year of MLB. If I was looking for a breakout player, it would be Peguero.
Dan Szimborski of ZIPs fame picked Marcano as a breakout.
Seems like that’s an ongoing issue w ZIPS. Heavy weights on MiLB performance relative to age spot out projections that may not be very good at translating for players like Tucu. This was the. Cole Tucker trap, too.
Mmm hmm. I’ve ran across several projections and thought WTF? Samad Taylor at 1.2 WAR is a good one.
Feels like they don't have or aren't integrating batted ball data. The age-relativity presumes the prospect will continue physically developing as he advances when some of these dudes are just tapped out already. I have a hard time believing Tucu's A-ball data as a teen would come even close to translating in the show.