I wish they would have been creative and offered him a 2 year $18 million deal or a 1 year $10 million with a $10 million option with a $2 million buyout.
Peralta has had some bad luck behind him so far, he could just as easily only given up 1 run. He's still not pitching nearly as well as he was last year but he has all his options remaining.
While we're at it, the previous winter's massive blunder - Rhyse Hoskins - is rocking a 43 wRC+. Probably better things to do with $20m per year than spending it on one-dimensional sluggers!
I know I’m a bit obsessive about quoting Bill James, but he was so far ahead of his time on so many y issues. He made precisely that point in the 80s —- the aging curve for one dimensional sluggers involves precipitous falls after age 30. Of course, there are exceptions, but as a general rule it still holds.
Pirates signed a 19-year-old Venezuelan pitcher yesterday named Yonleg Gaetano. Name alone makes me want to root for him. He's a converted shortstop, fits the mold of almost all of their January 15th pitchers this year. Fresh arm, throws strikes. He sits 88-92 MPH. Very athletic. Didn't have the bat to make it as a position player, but he was a legit shortstop. We will have two exclusive videos of him here tomorrow morning.
Pirates needed pitchers to fill out DSL innings this year, so they have added a lot of $10,000 or less signings recently, but they did it while sticking to their target of fresh arm, throws strikes, athletic frame. Most teams in the same situation (including Pirates in past years) will find a 22-year-old with DSL experience as a starter and use him as an innings filler. That type of player never works out long-term, but helps get them through a season. They are going for pitchers with potential instead to fill those innings. Scouts are doing some digging.
He took a swing at a runner at first base after a pick-off throw. I'm not sure what exactly they were talking about, possibly the runner stepped on his foot, but they were talking and all of a sudden Escotto throws a wild haymaker that the runner ducked under. Nothing else happened, but I'm guessing he will get at least five games for trying to knock the head off of a guy who wasn't looking for a fight
Not gonna write off Harrington completely, but Hunter Barco is the only prospect not named Bubba I want to see starting baseball games for the big club until Jones is back. I only saw clips and it doesn't look like the stadium had a gun, but my goodness did he look good last night.
Barco is every bit of the 6'4 235 pounds he is listed at. Even though not the flashy prospects, I am also keeping my eye on Burrows and Oviedo. Burrows could be a sleeper still. I have no idea where Oviedo is on his recovery, but looked to be throwing pretty hard in February. Some could argue he was the Pirates best starter the second half of 2023, even though he walked a lot.
Help me understand why the Pirates gave either of these guys a major-league deal with guaranteed money. How is either better than some random jabroni on a minor-league deal (or even better than themselves on a minor-league deal).
It was so bad I left in the 4th inning. They’re seriously short of pitching. Last year’s college P draftees are nearly all traded or hurt, and the LatAm pitching under BC has been a dismal failure.
And they’re still trying to get somewhere with Tyler Kennedy. I left the moment he came in.
Both pitchers going 4 innings in 63 and 60 pitches is very projectable for them as SP's, and keeping the ball on the ground is another positive attribute for both.
At A+, SS Javier Rivas, 22, still putting up positive numbers at the plate and hit a HR last night, his second of the young season. The key for him is going to continue to be his BB/K stat, which is VG right now at 2 BB/4 K. Last year at A+ in about the same number of PA, he was 0 BB/14 K. At A last year in 367 PA he had 16 BB/132 K, so this is a very big corner he is turning so far in 2025. For the Pirates, with He and Griffin, 19, at A, they can put finding a young SS on the back burner for now, unless we can find a VG defensive SS who can hit for average and 15+ HR power.
A - No pitching worth note; Axial Plaz 2-4, Doub, 5 RBI; YDLS 1-3, 2 BB, Konnor Griffin continues to compete well at SS and at leadoff.
$2.99 for 3 months for Apple TV, done.
I think I over paid.
So, 7 games in for Hank. How long are we giving Anth before we get a video scouting piece on how he looks?
K-rate cut by 10% (crowd cheers!), contact quality still terrible (crowd boos).
Back up catcher upside…..
Aroldis, man, six appearances without giving up a run to start the year.
Buccos are above .500 right now if they bring him back.
Luis Ortiz, not so much.
Also looks like Charlie McAdoo has completely fallen apart with the Blue Jays.
I wish they would have been creative and offered him a 2 year $18 million deal or a 1 year $10 million with a $10 million option with a $2 million buyout.
Was just thinking this, it would've made sense sending Bednar down if we had a Chapman or other proven closer.
I miss Aroldis. I'm sure I could come up with a top 10 list, but no need to make all of the readers have to scroll over it.
Luis Peralta struggling badly as well.
Peralta has had some bad luck behind him so far, he could just as easily only given up 1 run. He's still not pitching nearly as well as he was last year but he has all his options remaining.
Anthony Santander starting off with a 56 wRC+ in the first two week. Could you even imagine...
No. Board meltdown!!!
While we're at it, the previous winter's massive blunder - Rhyse Hoskins - is rocking a 43 wRC+. Probably better things to do with $20m per year than spending it on one-dimensional sluggers!
I know I’m a bit obsessive about quoting Bill James, but he was so far ahead of his time on so many y issues. He made precisely that point in the 80s —- the aging curve for one dimensional sluggers involves precipitous falls after age 30. Of course, there are exceptions, but as a general rule it still holds.
vlad jr's deal was stunning, IMO.
Can't decide if it's a good thing or bad thing that the whole Pirate-player-leaves-and-succeeds-elsewhere thing died like damn-near a decade ago.
We're the outer limits of the dead zone.
Pirates signed a 19-year-old Venezuelan pitcher yesterday named Yonleg Gaetano. Name alone makes me want to root for him. He's a converted shortstop, fits the mold of almost all of their January 15th pitchers this year. Fresh arm, throws strikes. He sits 88-92 MPH. Very athletic. Didn't have the bat to make it as a position player, but he was a legit shortstop. We will have two exclusive videos of him here tomorrow morning.
Pirates needed pitchers to fill out DSL innings this year, so they have added a lot of $10,000 or less signings recently, but they did it while sticking to their target of fresh arm, throws strikes, athletic frame. Most teams in the same situation (including Pirates in past years) will find a 22-year-old with DSL experience as a starter and use him as an innings filler. That type of player never works out long-term, but helps get them through a season. They are going for pitchers with potential instead to fill those innings. Scouts are doing some digging.
He's got *how* many legs now?
Yonleg Silver?
Escotto shot himself in the fo….., er, got himself suspended.
Red hot bat followed by an angry freakout?
PED failure incoming, lol
He took a swing at a runner at first base after a pick-off throw. I'm not sure what exactly they were talking about, possibly the runner stepped on his foot, but they were talking and all of a sudden Escotto throws a wild haymaker that the runner ducked under. Nothing else happened, but I'm guessing he will get at least five games for trying to knock the head off of a guy who wasn't looking for a fight
Ed Ott would have had his back.
The Pirates need to be taking a swing more often, but not that type.
YO MOMMA SO UGLY...
many such occasions.
Not gonna write off Harrington completely, but Hunter Barco is the only prospect not named Bubba I want to see starting baseball games for the big club until Jones is back. I only saw clips and it doesn't look like the stadium had a gun, but my goodness did he look good last night.
Agreed. A lefty with his stuff and command. A great gamble on his TJ recovery if this works out.
Harrington throws some serious slop.
Pretty sure I read (had to be FG or BA) that he was reaching 97 this spring. If so . . . yowza.
He pitched in one game that was broadcast on SNP and he def hit 97 on the radar gun that day.
As a pitcher, I thought he was in the same category as Ashcraft. Ashcraft being more experienced at 25 while Barco is 24.
Man I know he has the injury time baked in but it still surprises me that Ashcraft is that old.
whew!
Barco is every bit of the 6'4 235 pounds he is listed at. Even though not the flashy prospects, I am also keeping my eye on Burrows and Oviedo. Burrows could be a sleeper still. I have no idea where Oviedo is on his recovery, but looked to be throwing pretty hard in February. Some could argue he was the Pirates best starter the second half of 2023, even though he walked a lot.
I was huge on Burrows coming back but it doesn't seem like he's maybe retained the peak of where he was prior to injury. Could just be me.
The FB shape is gone…..for now?
Main thing I noticed, and rightly or wrongly tied it to the drop in juice.
Less velo>lower spin>lower movement
which one of these guys is going to be the closer?
Ashcraft
I would hope neither, but see where some could make a case for Oviedo,
No love for Ashcraft?
Want him out of the pen in the second half with opportunity to earn a rotation spot in '26.
Correction: getting the last outs of their 2025 World series win!
What?? And supplant Mayza or Shugart?? Are you mad??!!
Help me understand why the Pirates gave either of these guys a major-league deal with guaranteed money. How is either better than some random jabroni on a minor-league deal (or even better than themselves on a minor-league deal).
I'm watching Shugart and I'm getting Montana DuRapau flashbacks.
Pretty good chance they are the same person
I’m only 50% sure those names you typed are real people.
There’s one I’d forgotten.
Reminds of the stuff I found in my grandma’s attic after she passed away.
Holy smokes what the hell happened in that Bradenton game. nightmare box score.
It was so bad I left in the 4th inning. They’re seriously short of pitching. Last year’s college P draftees are nearly all traded or hurt, and the LatAm pitching under BC has been a dismal failure.
And they’re still trying to get somewhere with Tyler Kennedy. I left the moment he came in.
sheesh, my sympathies for living through even a portion of it.
The umps are going to want a raise to call twice as many pitches that Bradenton throws. I forget exactly how many walks, something like 10+.
KG with a 43% k rate and no extra base hits. Obviously very early but looks like some adjustments will be needed.
Some additional info on the Pirates -
AA - Hunter Barco, 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, Pitches/Strikes 60/39, GO/FO 4/0
A+ - Antwone Kelly, 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, Pitches/Strikes 63/43, GO/FO 4/0
Both pitchers going 4 innings in 63 and 60 pitches is very projectable for them as SP's, and keeping the ball on the ground is another positive attribute for both.
At A+, SS Javier Rivas, 22, still putting up positive numbers at the plate and hit a HR last night, his second of the young season. The key for him is going to continue to be his BB/K stat, which is VG right now at 2 BB/4 K. Last year at A+ in about the same number of PA, he was 0 BB/14 K. At A last year in 367 PA he had 16 BB/132 K, so this is a very big corner he is turning so far in 2025. For the Pirates, with He and Griffin, 19, at A, they can put finding a young SS on the back burner for now, unless we can find a VG defensive SS who can hit for average and 15+ HR power.
A - No pitching worth note; Axial Plaz 2-4, Doub, 5 RBI; YDLS 1-3, 2 BB, Konnor Griffin continues to compete well at SS and at leadoff.
#FreeBarco
#FreeBubba
#MlodToBullpen
This is the way