ready to be hurt again, but the updated bat tracking data has me all in on a Suwinski bounce back.
The swing metrics were nearly identical.
The only thing that changed between '23 and '24 was he got way *more* aggressive last year, and to the chagrin of every Pirate fan, that simply isn't a path to success in modern big league ball.
Start fresh and go back to his approach that worked.
He was terribly unlucky too on batted balls... a .043 difference between xba and ba. You could see that he was getting terribly unlucky all season too... ripping shots right at people... no groundball ever found a hole or pop fly that fell between the IF and OF.
He should be better than the top line numbers last year, but I still would give him some time in AAA to make sure everything is hunky dory.
Agreed. Rare are the players who are so good they can take what works, and expand on it (add power, more hit), but I don’t think Jack is one of those guys. And that’s fine because if he ends up a fat half of the platoon in a corner OF spot that has some defense and speed? That’s usable for damn sure.
FWIW (basically nothing), FG now projects us to finish last with 77.8 wins and only a 17.5% chance of making the postseason. I'm guessing the combination of the Reds strengthening their bullpen and us losing Horwitz knocked us down a position. The Cards, Reds, and Bucs are within a half win of each other, so only a curiosity that we're picked for last instead of 3rd.
Being picked for last is actually a good thing as the narrative will be that much better if we do make the playoffs :)
Here are some take-aways from spring training practice today.
1) Nice to see Oneill Cruz report early. Not everyone does that.
2) Konnor Griffin was hitting some line drives over the fence in batting practice. His throws from short to first was like a cannon. Something special.
3) Matt Gorski was taking some practice at first base. Peguero a little practice at third, but mostly at short. Oneill Cruz practiced with the outfielders, but someone said he still took some grounders at short before I got there.
4) Endy Rodriguez was hitting some ropes in batting practice. He looked healthy.
- If anyone has anything specific you want me to look for tomorrow, let me know.
The Chandler article is up on Fangraphs. I like the Harrington mention, he really seems like a guy who has the mental makeup to succeed. Super bullish on him.
Chandler: “Nah, man. I don’t get mad at literally anything — I’m an easygoing guy — but that grinds me, because I’ve had trouble putting on weight my whole life. I ate six Whoppers a day for six months going into my senior year, and went from 160 to 200. Now I’m 6-3 and around 220. I think they’re finally going to get that changed.”
Advisory for anybody heading to Pirate City: If you’re gonna want to sit down, bring a lawn chair. Hurricanes wrecked the bleachers. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for Nuttin to replace them. The overhead chain link screen above the public area is also gone, so watch for foul balls.
Let’s see if we can get Heston Kjerstad from the O’s. Maybe a T. Johnson and a choice of Harrington or Ashcraft might get the heads a rolling.. we got about 10 infielders on our 40 man if they want some of them also.. Kjerstad could play 1st base until Horwitz gets healthy. Thoughts
No more GMBC trades please, and no more garbage free agents please. All we can do is count the days until this idiot GM is fired so that we can begin yet another "rebuild" under some other BS artist with degrees in basket-weaving from a New England liberal arts college.
Looking for rays of sunshine in an otherwise lead-gray central Pennsylvania sky in all of this.
Dapple of vitamin D in that a wabbit wonders: You mean they're starting three outfielders in the OUTFIELD? (ground shivvers slightly beneath my feet)
Not caring for the NRI invitees forward for the open 1b slot, but we DO have enough players who can catch the ball over there.
Fancy the news of Hayes doing the every day work that is taking care of a chronic back injury. If he is well, the Bucs are better.
I think Pham is the way that they break Cook into the outfield and not rely too much on him in his first full year. This way, they take it easy on Pham and do the other thing that a platoon is meant to do; give recovery days.
Legitimate question for the Asylum: Can Pham still get around the outfield?
That was something that he worked on with Nunnally, which resulted in Nunnally being fired, because the Pirates simply will not tolerate anyone improving their hitters. Supposedly, he continued to work with Nunnally after the firing, which probably makes GMBC want to go to Nunnally's house and yell at him, since he can't fire someone who doesn't work for the Pirates.
"Perrotto mentioned the surgery was to repair the extender in his right wrist". Rather than the extender, would that be the Extensor muscle? Bending the wrist downward or upward are exercises designed to strengthen the Extensor Muscles, but if surgery was required, it must have involved a tear of some sort - hopefully minor.
I know they mentioned full recovery in 6-8 weeks - from what date? Looking at the calendar, 6-8 weeks from the beginning of this week (Feb 9th) would mean he could return as early as March 22nd? Be real nice to know the date of the surgery.
I didn't see where it was "full recovery" in 6-8 weeks but that they expect that he can start full baseball activities in 6-8 weeks and eventually fully recover.
In no way am I an expert beyond being a longtime fan with experience watching how recoveries play out, but I just can't imagine that if he's in a cast now that he'd be anywhere near fully recovered in 6-8 weeks, assuming that fully recovered means that he'd be where he would have been without the injury.
Since this FO isn't transparent, it's always hard to know when they're being vague intentionally and when they're simply not communicating well, but Ben did say that there was a "chance" that Horwitz would contribute in 2025. I read that as there also being a chance that he won't contribute until 2026.
I think an optimistic timeline would have him fully ready by mid-May--6 weeks to resume full baseball activities and 6 weeks to make up for his time off from offseason workouts and the first 4 weeks of ST. Sometime in June, maybe even June 1, seems more realistic. In any case, I hope they don't push it.
I wouldn’t want to rush him back anyway, in March. Plan on him being out at least thru April. Learn from the Bednar mistake in 2024. It’s far better if he comes back as healthy as possible than if he makes it for opening day or near that.
I agree - those are the key muscles in the control of the bat/swing. When he's released to start rehab and then start's swinging the bat, we'll know more. Hopefully he gets most of his rehab swings in Florida instead of Pittsburgh.
If the Sox are smart they'll also ask BC to throw in a couple pitching prospects as well. Maybe they can add a light hitting former top 10 middle infield prospect to really sweeten the pot for him.
No, Horwitz played 39 games at 2B last year for Toronto, and not too bad. Casas to 1B, Horwitz to 2B? Two LH power bats in the order in addition to Oneil Cruz, hopefully Jack Suwinski, and two switch hitters in BRey and ERod. 6 lefties in the order, short porch in RF/RC, and almost 3 of every 4 SP's are RH.
Good to see you at the meeting last night. How about those swedish meatballs that Chips wife made? Crazy she is from Norway. Didn't know they shared recipes.
It’s good that we are holding up to our namesakes last name! I heard Gwen and Harry are bringing their family baklava next week so be sure you’re early to get some
If Tommy Pham wants to win so badly, how come most of the team is in camp and Pham hasn’t signed his contract yet?
Cuz the org asked him to wait so they didnt have to DFA MFing de Geus.
Please please please let there be a medical issue that makes the Pirates rescind the offer
The Pirates don't care if the players that they acquire are injured. That has become obvious this offseason.
Nothing terrible. Just a really bad hangnail maybe. Fingernail discomfort.
ready to be hurt again, but the updated bat tracking data has me all in on a Suwinski bounce back.
The swing metrics were nearly identical.
The only thing that changed between '23 and '24 was he got way *more* aggressive last year, and to the chagrin of every Pirate fan, that simply isn't a path to success in modern big league ball.
Start fresh and go back to his approach that worked.
He was terribly unlucky too on batted balls... a .043 difference between xba and ba. You could see that he was getting terribly unlucky all season too... ripping shots right at people... no groundball ever found a hole or pop fly that fell between the IF and OF.
He should be better than the top line numbers last year, but I still would give him some time in AAA to make sure everything is hunky dory.
Agreed. Rare are the players who are so good they can take what works, and expand on it (add power, more hit), but I don’t think Jack is one of those guys. And that’s fine because if he ends up a fat half of the platoon in a corner OF spot that has some defense and speed? That’s usable for damn sure.
FWIW (basically nothing), FG now projects us to finish last with 77.8 wins and only a 17.5% chance of making the postseason. I'm guessing the combination of the Reds strengthening their bullpen and us losing Horwitz knocked us down a position. The Cards, Reds, and Bucs are within a half win of each other, so only a curiosity that we're picked for last instead of 3rd.
Being picked for last is actually a good thing as the narrative will be that much better if we do make the playoffs :)
Here are some take-aways from spring training practice today.
1) Nice to see Oneill Cruz report early. Not everyone does that.
2) Konnor Griffin was hitting some line drives over the fence in batting practice. His throws from short to first was like a cannon. Something special.
3) Matt Gorski was taking some practice at first base. Peguero a little practice at third, but mostly at short. Oneill Cruz practiced with the outfielders, but someone said he still took some grounders at short before I got there.
4) Endy Rodriguez was hitting some ropes in batting practice. He looked healthy.
- If anyone has anything specific you want me to look for tomorrow, let me know.
sure´d be cool to see Gorski get some major league at bats in april
Good stuff! See if Hank has any notable change to his batting stance, swing, etc.
He was hitting bombs over the left field fence just like last year. I was hoping for changes, but very little if anything at all.
Thanks for all the info Stats. Will be reading everyday. Thanks again
he just needs MLB at bats
if he had as many as suwinski has been given, tanks id be on a tear by now
there is little reason why he doesnt have a first base glove
If he'd been an above average bat over his first two years like Jack was he'd have been in the starting lineup every damn day.
hey ben how bout you EXTEND DEEZ NUTS.
i'm sorry please delete this.
Well that came from way out where our new 4 million dollar assistant motivator shit houser will roam despite batting 213.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/bubba-chandler-addresses-his-power-arsenal/
The Chandler article is up on Fangraphs. I like the Harrington mention, he really seems like a guy who has the mental makeup to succeed. Super bullish on him.
Great interview: very thoughtful about his craft.
It seems these pitchers are all on this together making each other better. Our offense has a ways to go.
Beginning to look like Thomas Harrington is the minor-league pitching instructor.
I like how Bubba said he talks a lot with Braxton Ashcraft as well because they have similarities in how they pitch.
Holy smokes that whole interview.
Chandler: “Nah, man. I don’t get mad at literally anything — I’m an easygoing guy — but that grinds me, because I’ve had trouble putting on weight my whole life. I ate six Whoppers a day for six months going into my senior year, and went from 160 to 200. Now I’m 6-3 and around 220. I think they’re finally going to get that changed.”
Advisory for anybody heading to Pirate City: If you’re gonna want to sit down, bring a lawn chair. Hurricanes wrecked the bleachers. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for Nuttin to replace them. The overhead chain link screen above the public area is also gone, so watch for foul balls.
Surprised he's not renting out lawn chairs! Nickles, what a putz.
Ha. Probably wouldn't get much business. The crowds there in spring are a fraction of what they were before bumbling Ben came along.
Let’s see if we can get Heston Kjerstad from the O’s. Maybe a T. Johnson and a choice of Harrington or Ashcraft might get the heads a rolling.. we got about 10 infielders on our 40 man if they want some of them also.. Kjerstad could play 1st base until Horwitz gets healthy. Thoughts
A move would be welcomed, especially with the horwitz news.
No more GMBC trades please, and no more garbage free agents please. All we can do is count the days until this idiot GM is fired so that we can begin yet another "rebuild" under some other BS artist with degrees in basket-weaving from a New England liberal arts college.
Oi!
Looking for rays of sunshine in an otherwise lead-gray central Pennsylvania sky in all of this.
Dapple of vitamin D in that a wabbit wonders: You mean they're starting three outfielders in the OUTFIELD? (ground shivvers slightly beneath my feet)
Not caring for the NRI invitees forward for the open 1b slot, but we DO have enough players who can catch the ball over there.
Fancy the news of Hayes doing the every day work that is taking care of a chronic back injury. If he is well, the Bucs are better.
I think Pham is the way that they break Cook into the outfield and not rely too much on him in his first full year. This way, they take it easy on Pham and do the other thing that a platoon is meant to do; give recovery days.
Legitimate question for the Asylum: Can Pham still get around the outfield?
____________________________________
“Poor little maroon, so trusting, so naive.”
-Wabbit
Article in the PPG on Hayes and his back. Best shape of his life article, the first one I’ve seen! We should keep a running tab.
I still play him 4 times a week and no more than 3 in a row. We have enough infielders to do that.
It also talked about a batting stance change to lessen the torque on his back. I wonder if that was Hague or someone else?
That was something that he worked on with Nunnally, which resulted in Nunnally being fired, because the Pirates simply will not tolerate anyone improving their hitters. Supposedly, he continued to work with Nunnally after the firing, which probably makes GMBC want to go to Nunnally's house and yell at him, since he can't fire someone who doesn't work for the Pirates.
Great news. If he can get in the neighborhood of his 2023 performances on both sides of the ball, this team could be serious playoff contender.
"Perrotto mentioned the surgery was to repair the extender in his right wrist". Rather than the extender, would that be the Extensor muscle? Bending the wrist downward or upward are exercises designed to strengthen the Extensor Muscles, but if surgery was required, it must have involved a tear of some sort - hopefully minor.
I know they mentioned full recovery in 6-8 weeks - from what date? Looking at the calendar, 6-8 weeks from the beginning of this week (Feb 9th) would mean he could return as early as March 22nd? Be real nice to know the date of the surgery.
I didn't see where it was "full recovery" in 6-8 weeks but that they expect that he can start full baseball activities in 6-8 weeks and eventually fully recover.
In no way am I an expert beyond being a longtime fan with experience watching how recoveries play out, but I just can't imagine that if he's in a cast now that he'd be anywhere near fully recovered in 6-8 weeks, assuming that fully recovered means that he'd be where he would have been without the injury.
Since this FO isn't transparent, it's always hard to know when they're being vague intentionally and when they're simply not communicating well, but Ben did say that there was a "chance" that Horwitz would contribute in 2025. I read that as there also being a chance that he won't contribute until 2026.
I think an optimistic timeline would have him fully ready by mid-May--6 weeks to resume full baseball activities and 6 weeks to make up for his time off from offseason workouts and the first 4 weeks of ST. Sometime in June, maybe even June 1, seems more realistic. In any case, I hope they don't push it.
PPG article from yesterday says the surgery was “last week,” but didn’t give a day.
I wouldn’t want to rush him back anyway, in March. Plan on him being out at least thru April. Learn from the Bednar mistake in 2024. It’s far better if he comes back as healthy as possible than if he makes it for opening day or near that.
I agree - those are the key muscles in the control of the bat/swing. When he's released to start rehab and then start's swinging the bat, we'll know more. Hopefully he gets most of his rehab swings in Florida instead of Pittsburgh.
They are finally moving BRey to RF, the smartest move they’ve made so far. Now let send a pitcher and Tank to Boston for Casas.
Lot's of talk/rumors about Tristan Casas for Jared Jones during the off-season. The Bosox would need to sweeten that proposed deal.
If the Sox are smart they'll also ask BC to throw in a couple pitching prospects as well. Maybe they can add a light hitting former top 10 middle infield prospect to really sweeten the pot for him.
The depth chart is tin after Peguero, Yorke, Triolo, Frazier, Bae, Cook, TJ, so let’s do it.
If that didn't hurt so much, it would be spectacularly funny.
Woah now hold up. Is this gonna affect Pham’s playing time?!
No, Horwitz played 39 games at 2B last year for Toronto, and not too bad. Casas to 1B, Horwitz to 2B? Two LH power bats in the order in addition to Oneil Cruz, hopefully Jack Suwinski, and two switch hitters in BRey and ERod. 6 lefties in the order, short porch in RF/RC, and almost 3 of every 4 SP's are RH.
Are you insane (asked the person who just made an insane proposal!). Nothing will affect Pham-Pham playing time.
Here to say Billy Cook will take all of his playing time
*this post is sponsored by the BCFC (Billy Cook Fan Club*
BMFCFC
Good to see you at the meeting last night. How about those swedish meatballs that Chips wife made? Crazy she is from Norway. Didn't know they shared recipes.
It’s good that we are holding up to our namesakes last name! I heard Gwen and Harry are bringing their family baklava next week so be sure you’re early to get some
Always skip lunch on meeting nights. You know how I do
I will like that very much, he’s at least the best defender we could send out there. But it’s gonna be AAA for him, for now.