I can see that. I think it was around that series in Richmond where he hit that bomb I had a similar observation, but it never maintained. Would like to see this continue now
From ESPN's offseason grades column yesterday (Ben was given a D+):
"Nothing sums up the Pirates better than signing Frazier. This is a team that already has Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Nick Gonzales, Nick Yorke, Jared Triolo, Liover Peguero and Enmanuel Valdez -- all on the 40-man roster, all capable of playing second base. They needed a second baseman -- let alone one who hit .202 last season -- as much they needed a rocket ship made of Legos."
It was the most confounding and idiotic move that we have seen in 5 years of one stupid thing after another. It was the icing on the pathetic cake that Littlefield has baked here for 5 years.
I mean, I know hope springs eternal in spring for all baseball teams, but I bring up the whole Iglesias thing merely to point out that the Pirate lineup is still horrible... even with Horwitz and even if he rakes. Pham and Frazier are just 2 more black holes in a lineup that cannot afford any more.
Is Jose Iglesias better than any Pirate infielder, except Horwitz? He could very well be... . He is certainly an almost identical player to IKF, and the Pirates could have had him for a league-minimum major-league contract.
The players that you listed have a collective total of about 14 full seasons in the major leagues. In those 14 seasons, only 1 player, in one year, put up a better OPS than Iglesias' career OPS: that would be Hayes in 2023. The other 13 seasons of collective performance were all below Iglesias average. By objective measures, he literally is a better hitter than every Pirate infielder currently on the roster except Horwitz. Could Gonzalez or Yorke be better than Iglesias? Absolutely. But right now, we have Adam Frazier, Hayes, and IKF for a total of about $16 million dollars. The Padres have a guy on a minor-league deal who is objectively better than all 3 of these guys. You just can't argue with that, because it is true.
You can cherry pick whatever stats you wish to argue a point. You can also play with different points in time to use those stats. I’m also not sure we are on the same page in the above discussion.
I’d probably prefer Iglesias over Frazier, but let’s not pretend Iglesias is on a minor league deal if he makes the club. He would be on a $3, possibly 4M, dollar deal.
And as I stated above, I’d also rather roll with Gonzales, Yorke, Hayes and probably IKF THIS YEAR than Iglesias. Just prefer them this year versus a 35 year-old former SS who went on an 80 game BaBIP-driven heater for a team who showed little interest in re-signing.
No not necessarily but your proposed Boston deal is fantasyland. Red Sox would NEVER part with those two for Keller and Nicholas. The Braves deal makes no sense because Bart seems to have turned the corner and we should have NOTHING to do with Grandal going forward. He's toast!
Thanks for the heads up on this. I didn’t read every player listing, but there are some good little tidbits. For example, they say that Matoma has added weight and strength (he’s still officially listed at 6 feet, 154 pounds!). They’re also still carrying the torch for Shalin Polanco, who checks in at 29. But Lonnie White has dropped off the list entirely.
A 22-year-old lefty with pretty good command, a decent changeup, and a slightly funky deliver is a promising prospect, even if he struggled owing to injuries and some mechanics tinkering last year. I wouldn't give up on him just yet. He could bounce back, get his mechanics sorted out, and have a pretty good season this year. It is not a stretch to see him in AAA by the end of July, and a potential late-season callup to fill a lefty role in the bullpen. Of course, he could just crash and burn, but the same can be said for most prospects.
I'm perfectly fine with "not giving up" on Solometo, I'm lamenting the fact that he remains shoved up way too high on these lists by name recognition alone.
"Solometo is much more famous than he is talented (which isn’t his fault)."
12 - 4 loss, a terrible performance. The Pirates at home field 5 or 6 regulars in the starting lineup and pitching that we hope will challenge for the 4/5 slots in the Rotation versus a team absent any name players in the lineup, and a pitcher we thought was not good enough to make a dent in our 2025 Rotation. And, we got skunked because of inconsistent hitting and "not ready for prime time" pitching. Congrats to the Red Sox Manager - they wanted the game; it meant something to them.
Congrats to Ji-Hwan Bae for the 3 hit (incl a HR) farewell performance, but I doubt that increases his trade value. Billy Cook with a nice day with a hit and a walk, Tsung-Che Cheng with a 100 mph HR, Cutch with a hit and a walk, Gonzales with a hit and RBI, and Hayes with a hit. Yep, that was our whole offense.
Not sure if this was covered in yesterdays threads but Keith Law has his top 30 in the draft up. It’s a 1-6 of Liam Doyle, Ethan Holliday, Aiva Arquette, Jamie Arnold, Kayson Cunningham, and Gavin Kilen (2B at Tennessee). A refreshingly different list with some new names to read about.
Both are young for their class, Willits might be the youngest. If Schoolcraft is still throwing high 90's with some control, the only way he's not picked in the top 30 is money or injury.
The scouting services certainly project him and rank him better as a pitcher, but his swing and defense at 1B is not to be scoffed at. Needs some work though on the swing from the looks of things. https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/PlayerProfile.aspx?ID=597206
I mentioned Doyle a few weeks ago as part of an All-Irish team because of his name Liam Shannon Doyle. He has been on fire with Tennessee, but the competition could be a lot less than what he will see in the SEC. So far in 2025 he has started 3 games, is 2-0, 0.61 ERA, 14.2 IP, 3 BB/34 K, BAA .130. A LHSP who averages low 90's, but has touched 96/97 mph. Pitched at Coastal Carolina his Freshman year, Old Miss his Soph year, and transfer portal to Tennessee this year. The Kilen kid was the No. 3 kid out of the Transfer Portal and starred for Louisville last year. So far he leads the team after 12 games - 41 AB, 2 doubles, 3 triples, 7 HR, 19 RBI, a BA of .488, OPS of 1.809.
Tsung-che Chengheads, does it look to youse like he's swinging with more intent or am I just strung out spring training hopium?
Getting to the point where I feel like every spring observation is hopium.
But I do also like what I've seen from Cheng this spring in general.
I hear you brother.
I just seem to remember a much more slashing approach to the swing in previous years. Kid is planting and rotating this spring for sure.
I can see that. I think it was around that series in Richmond where he hit that bomb I had a similar observation, but it never maintained. Would like to see this continue now
He's got that nice lefty stroke.
Tbh, I’m a bit more interested (while still highly skeptical) about Bae. Am I imagining that he bulked up some?
He looks a little bigger in his upper half.
So... Jose Iglesias signs a minor-league contract, and the Pirates signed Adam Frazier to a major-league contract. Worst.... GM.... Ever!
From ESPN's offseason grades column yesterday (Ben was given a D+):
"Nothing sums up the Pirates better than signing Frazier. This is a team that already has Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Nick Gonzales, Nick Yorke, Jared Triolo, Liover Peguero and Enmanuel Valdez -- all on the 40-man roster, all capable of playing second base. They needed a second baseman -- let alone one who hit .202 last season -- as much they needed a rocket ship made of Legos."
It was the most confounding and idiotic move that we have seen in 5 years of one stupid thing after another. It was the icing on the pathetic cake that Littlefield has baked here for 5 years.
I mean, I know hope springs eternal in spring for all baseball teams, but I bring up the whole Iglesias thing merely to point out that the Pirate lineup is still horrible... even with Horwitz and even if he rakes. Pham and Frazier are just 2 more black holes in a lineup that cannot afford any more.
Dave Littlefield gives up. His shot at the title is gone.
Is Jose Iglesias better than any Pirate infielder, except Horwitz? He could very well be... . He is certainly an almost identical player to IKF, and the Pirates could have had him for a league-minimum major-league contract.
It’s not a league minimum deal. If he makes the club, he will reportedly earn $3M and have another possible $1M in incentives.
In addition to Horwitz, I’d also rather go into this year with Gonzales, Yorke, Hayes and probably IKF than Iglesias.
The players that you listed have a collective total of about 14 full seasons in the major leagues. In those 14 seasons, only 1 player, in one year, put up a better OPS than Iglesias' career OPS: that would be Hayes in 2023. The other 13 seasons of collective performance were all below Iglesias average. By objective measures, he literally is a better hitter than every Pirate infielder currently on the roster except Horwitz. Could Gonzalez or Yorke be better than Iglesias? Absolutely. But right now, we have Adam Frazier, Hayes, and IKF for a total of about $16 million dollars. The Padres have a guy on a minor-league deal who is objectively better than all 3 of these guys. You just can't argue with that, because it is true.
You can cherry pick whatever stats you wish to argue a point. You can also play with different points in time to use those stats. I’m also not sure we are on the same page in the above discussion.
I’d probably prefer Iglesias over Frazier, but let’s not pretend Iglesias is on a minor league deal if he makes the club. He would be on a $3, possibly 4M, dollar deal.
And as I stated above, I’d also rather roll with Gonzales, Yorke, Hayes and probably IKF THIS YEAR than Iglesias. Just prefer them this year versus a 35 year-old former SS who went on an 80 game BaBIP-driven heater for a team who showed little interest in re-signing.
To each their own, though!
I'm not cherry picking anything. I am looking at a combined 26 years of production between Iglesias and the guys you mention.
with Oviedo out for a while, seems there is an open spot in the Indy rotation
would be cool to give Sixto Sanchez a shot there
You'll probably get Sixto Lezcano.
Oviedo shut down for a month. Not good news. Didn't expect him back without some AAA time, but I wonder if we see him before July.
Also sounds like Stratton isn’t quite at full speed yet.
Otoh, they said Horwitz isn’t a 100% no for opening day, although it’s obviously just a remote chance.
signing Brent Honeywell Jr. on a minor league deal is a good idea
sources saying some suprise trades are still in the works
Keller and Nicolas to the Red Sox for Marcelo Mayer and Casas
Bart to the Braves for George Lombard and they sign Grandal to backup Endy and Hank
Pirates sign Patrick Corbin to eat Keller´s innings and he turns it around as the next left handed success story in PNC
You need to put down the crack pipe.
No not necessarily but your proposed Boston deal is fantasyland. Red Sox would NEVER part with those two for Keller and Nicholas. The Braves deal makes no sense because Bart seems to have turned the corner and we should have NOTHING to do with Grandal going forward. He's toast!
you are big on a Bart 2025 and a big Keller 2025?
it is kinda wild that there's like six and a half catchers in baseball right now but Grandal doesn't have a job.
need to dump some duds while spring is still eternal
It feels like it’s been a while we have heard from your sources, glad you’re still in touch!
I think Lombard is with Yanks…..
Lombard is on loan to the Braves. They just need the Yanks to co-sign on the deal and we’re good.
he looks like George Springer
KeBryan for Lombard was the one
my mistake
think its a good time to cash out on Bart - its 50/50 whether he recreates his 2024 season
Not sure if it's against the Keith Law or it was discussed elsewhere but.
https://www.mlb.com/news/pirates-top-30-prospects-list-2025-preseason
Thanks for the heads up on this. I didn’t read every player listing, but there are some good little tidbits. For example, they say that Matoma has added weight and strength (he’s still officially listed at 6 feet, 154 pounds!). They’re also still carrying the torch for Shalin Polanco, who checks in at 29. But Lonnie White has dropped off the list entirely.
Tony Solometo will be running a private pitching school back in jersey and still rank in the teens for some of these outlets.
I didn't see his Siani on there despite "breaking out" in Arizona. I bet Rocco Baldelli could get the most out of them.
A 22-year-old lefty with pretty good command, a decent changeup, and a slightly funky deliver is a promising prospect, even if he struggled owing to injuries and some mechanics tinkering last year. I wouldn't give up on him just yet. He could bounce back, get his mechanics sorted out, and have a pretty good season this year. It is not a stretch to see him in AAA by the end of July, and a potential late-season callup to fill a lefty role in the bullpen. Of course, he could just crash and burn, but the same can be said for most prospects.
I'm perfectly fine with "not giving up" on Solometo, I'm lamenting the fact that he remains shoved up way too high on these lists by name recognition alone.
"Solometo is much more famous than he is talented (which isn’t his fault)."
12 - 4 loss, a terrible performance. The Pirates at home field 5 or 6 regulars in the starting lineup and pitching that we hope will challenge for the 4/5 slots in the Rotation versus a team absent any name players in the lineup, and a pitcher we thought was not good enough to make a dent in our 2025 Rotation. And, we got skunked because of inconsistent hitting and "not ready for prime time" pitching. Congrats to the Red Sox Manager - they wanted the game; it meant something to them.
Congrats to Ji-Hwan Bae for the 3 hit (incl a HR) farewell performance, but I doubt that increases his trade value. Billy Cook with a nice day with a hit and a walk, Tsung-Che Cheng with a 100 mph HR, Cutch with a hit and a walk, Gonzales with a hit and RBI, and Hayes with a hit. Yep, that was our whole offense.
It's Spring Training - a new season begins today!
Not sure if this was covered in yesterdays threads but Keith Law has his top 30 in the draft up. It’s a 1-6 of Liam Doyle, Ethan Holliday, Aiva Arquette, Jamie Arnold, Kayson Cunningham, and Gavin Kilen (2B at Tennessee). A refreshingly different list with some new names to read about.
Kilen has been very impressive, I think he's already hit 7 homeruns this year. He only hit 9 last year at Louisville.
Well, if he's hitting HR's, that will certainly turn off BC. He likes his middle infield prospects to have good contact skills and no power.
No Schoolcraft in his top 30. Willits was in the teens I think.
Both are young for their class, Willits might be the youngest. If Schoolcraft is still throwing high 90's with some control, the only way he's not picked in the top 30 is money or injury.
Is Schoolcraft a viable 2-way player?
I like him more as a pitcher, not sure on his bat contact wise but he should have power.
The scouting services certainly project him and rank him better as a pitcher, but his swing and defense at 1B is not to be scoffed at. Needs some work though on the swing from the looks of things. https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/PlayerProfile.aspx?ID=597206
I agree. His list is his preference not where he thinks they’re gonna go. He’s also…not a big fan of prep arms. Seth Hernandez is his only prep arm.
I mentioned Doyle a few weeks ago as part of an All-Irish team because of his name Liam Shannon Doyle. He has been on fire with Tennessee, but the competition could be a lot less than what he will see in the SEC. So far in 2025 he has started 3 games, is 2-0, 0.61 ERA, 14.2 IP, 3 BB/34 K, BAA .130. A LHSP who averages low 90's, but has touched 96/97 mph. Pitched at Coastal Carolina his Freshman year, Old Miss his Soph year, and transfer portal to Tennessee this year. The Kilen kid was the No. 3 kid out of the Transfer Portal and starred for Louisville last year. So far he leads the team after 12 games - 41 AB, 2 doubles, 3 triples, 7 HR, 19 RBI, a BA of .488, OPS of 1.809.