Nice little read and reminder here. As someone who helps educate folks and CPR/AED response, love to see how such a scary event has turned into a positive educational opportunity for the Bradenton community. Take some time to educate yourself on the basics, no need to pay for a real certification if you dont want, just throw on a youtube video so you are prepared if tragedy happens
With Peguero and Gonzalez appearing in the 2B list and Triolo in the 3B list, it leaves these players in the SS list.
.
Shortstops
Oneill Cruz……………100%
Alika Williams…………10%
Sergio Alcantara………5%
Andres Alvarez…………0%
.
Cruz is the starting SS. If there’s an injury at SS or 2B — especially to Cruz — then Alika has a chance. Alcantara is basically another Alika. Alvarez will be in the minors.
Just to keep it interesting, there is often 1 guy who surprises and wins a job north out of spring training. Remember Anthony Alford, Dustin Fowler, Andrew Knapp, Jake Marisnack, Diego Castillo, JVM, Heath Hembree, Aaron Fletcher, Rudolfo Castro, CSN. Geesh....what an awful bunch of 26th-man (except Diego and Castro were mildly acceptable).
IRT to NL Central I’m concerned about the Cubs getting their crap together. Their farm is good and deep. They’re starting to develop some pitchers for first time in a decade. They could be a Phillies/Braves type org here soon.
The Cubs, Reds and Brewers definitely seem to have something going for them. Surprised at how quickly it came together for the Cubs considering their (what seemed to be at the time) underwhelming tear down. Not really liking what the Cards are doing at the moment, but they have the funds to paper over some of their mistakes. In 2021-2022, it looked like maybe we’d have a window where we would have the division to ourselves. A few smart trades from the Reds, some quality international signings by all those teams, good player development and that changed real quickly.
Even if some of the moves are head scratchers (what are the Reds going to do with 12 infielders?), those teams have plainly built their clubs better than Pgh. And in a shorter time frame for their rebuild.
The Cubs are the most vexing. It’s not like they made a ton of great trades. It’s largely been just good old fashioned drafting and they hit on a few international guys.
I struggle with the Reds, because we didn’t have a Luis Castillo to trade. But, we could argue that Musgrove’s value was close. They also hit on their lesser trades, which we didn’t. I’d argue this was predictable in the types of players they targeted versus the types of players we targeted. We have an aversion to bat forward guys like Spencer Steer.
Probably poor terminology, sorry for that. A lot of what I read about Steer was that the bat was solid but they weren’t entirely sure where he would play. We seem to emphasize athleticism, and certainly contact over power. Seems to lead to us having a lot of guys who don’t profile as regulars offensively.
Interesting comment indeed by Shelton. Just like with Hedges he has handed the job to the veteran and said the spring training competition will be for the second catcher spot. I'd like to see Grandal rebound to his better offensive days but I don't hold out much hope!
All this articles about Henry’s work ethic and his drive might be true, but his been a catcher now for years, it might be time to accept that he is just not good at all.
If you saw him in the minors it was obvious he is not catcher. There were always doubts he'd stick at catcher. Hopefully he can figure out right field so his arm could be of use or it is a 1st base/DH career for him.
Yeah, maybe someone should point that out to Ben because he's the guy who keeps telling the beat writers from time to time that Davis is going to catch. From his body of work in rf so far that doesn't look so promising either. He needs to hit a ton to justify a roster spot at this point.
Eno Sarris identified Jack Suwinski as one of the top “breakout” candidates for this season. He suggested pulling the ball more and making quicker adjustments could be key.
I like Eno Sarris but even independent of his endorsement, I'm optimistic about Jack. A big part of that is how well he adapted despite very little time in AAA. Anyway, good to hear that Eno is high on him too.
I do not subscribe so I just shut it down when the article automatically shifted to offers to join.
From Jack's Rookie year in 2022 to 2023, his wRC+ increased from 98 to 112, and his fWAR increased from 1.7 to 2.8. His K% increased from 30.6% to 32.2% which I would rather see going in the other direction, but his BB% increased from 11% to 14%. His 26 HR's led the team and his 74 RBI's was second only to Reynolds' 84 RBI's. Nice work from a kid with barely more than 1 year of MLB service.
Against RHP's (332 AB) in 2023 he hit 24 of his 26 HR, and his K/BB was less than 2/1 (117/61). Against LHP's (115 AB) in 2023 he hit 2 HR, and his K/BB was about 4/1 (55/14).
If Jack can learn how to be serviceable vs southpaws, and keep the valleys of the season from happening as often,and for as long as they have, thus far in his career, he will indeed be a star.
The glimmer of hope is that Jack showed improvement in fixing the huge hole he had covering the outside of the plate towards the end of the season, hope he builds on it. Cruz handled the breaking pitch a little better, seemed to recognize it a little better and was fielding better, but his was in a way less sample size. So many freaking ifs with this team…..
I know everyone, including me, hates for one of our power hitters to strikeout looking, but I’d rather see that than see Cruz lunge at the sweeper a foot or farther off the plate when there are two strikes.
I can take the 2-out bases empty strike outs from power hitters. I struggle with the single hitters striking out with no one out and a runner in scoring position.......or a runner on third with one out. Move the runner!!!
CSN has returned! Everything is right with the universe now.
And Y is touring with Crazy Horse this year!
Now let's see him win a roster spot in spring training.
Talk about bizarre. Don't think I've ever seen that before. Doubt he'll last long, especially if they add another arm.
This is our chance to retcon this whole thing and just get rid of Palacios.
https://triblive.com/sports/shock-value-pirates-rapid-response-saved-ernie-withers-inspired-him-to-pay-it-forward/
Nice little read and reminder here. As someone who helps educate folks and CPR/AED response, love to see how such a scary event has turned into a positive educational opportunity for the Bradenton community. Take some time to educate yourself on the basics, no need to pay for a real certification if you dont want, just throw on a youtube video so you are prepared if tragedy happens
With Peguero and Gonzalez appearing in the 2B list and Triolo in the 3B list, it leaves these players in the SS list.
.
Shortstops
Oneill Cruz……………100%
Alika Williams…………10%
Sergio Alcantara………5%
Andres Alvarez…………0%
.
Cruz is the starting SS. If there’s an injury at SS or 2B — especially to Cruz — then Alika has a chance. Alcantara is basically another Alika. Alvarez will be in the minors.
ACTIVE ROSTER - 26
Position Players - 13
2 Catchers - Grandal, Davis
6 IF - Joe, Tellez, Peguero, Cruz, Hayes, Triolo
5 OF - Olivares, Suwinski, Reynolds, 'Cutch, Bae or Palacios or both and carry only 12 pitchers
Pitchers - 13
SP's - 6 - Keller, Gonzalez, Perez, Contreras, Ortiz, Priester
RP's - 7 - Bednar, Chapman, Holderman, Moreta, Borucki, Mlodzinski, Hernandez
Just to keep it interesting, there is often 1 guy who surprises and wins a job north out of spring training. Remember Anthony Alford, Dustin Fowler, Andrew Knapp, Jake Marisnack, Diego Castillo, JVM, Heath Hembree, Aaron Fletcher, Rudolfo Castro, CSN. Geesh....what an awful bunch of 26th-man (except Diego and Castro were mildly acceptable).
IRT to NL Central I’m concerned about the Cubs getting their crap together. Their farm is good and deep. They’re starting to develop some pitchers for first time in a decade. They could be a Phillies/Braves type org here soon.
The Cubs, Reds and Brewers definitely seem to have something going for them. Surprised at how quickly it came together for the Cubs considering their (what seemed to be at the time) underwhelming tear down. Not really liking what the Cards are doing at the moment, but they have the funds to paper over some of their mistakes. In 2021-2022, it looked like maybe we’d have a window where we would have the division to ourselves. A few smart trades from the Reds, some quality international signings by all those teams, good player development and that changed real quickly.
Even if some of the moves are head scratchers (what are the Reds going to do with 12 infielders?), those teams have plainly built their clubs better than Pgh. And in a shorter time frame for their rebuild.
The Cubs are the most vexing. It’s not like they made a ton of great trades. It’s largely been just good old fashioned drafting and they hit on a few international guys.
I struggle with the Reds, because we didn’t have a Luis Castillo to trade. But, we could argue that Musgrove’s value was close. They also hit on their lesser trades, which we didn’t. I’d argue this was predictable in the types of players they targeted versus the types of players we targeted. We have an aversion to bat forward guys like Spencer Steer.
If the Cubs don't sign Bellinger, the fans will not be excited about the youth movement.
Signing Bellinger to a Heyward like deal is the Cubs M.O TBH.
What do you mean by bat forward? Contact over power?
Probably poor terminology, sorry for that. A lot of what I read about Steer was that the bat was solid but they weren’t entirely sure where he would play. We seem to emphasize athleticism, and certainly contact over power. Seems to lead to us having a lot of guys who don’t profile as regulars offensively.
Got it. Just never heard that term before
If only we had the same ability to make good moves :(
Interesting comment indeed by Shelton. Just like with Hedges he has handed the job to the veteran and said the spring training competition will be for the second catcher spot. I'd like to see Grandal rebound to his better offensive days but I don't hold out much hope!
All this articles about Henry’s work ethic and his drive might be true, but his been a catcher now for years, it might be time to accept that he is just not good at all.
It's beginning to look like we will just have to take the Pirates word for it because it appears we won't see him catch, lol.
If you saw him in the minors it was obvious he is not catcher. There were always doubts he'd stick at catcher. Hopefully he can figure out right field so his arm could be of use or it is a 1st base/DH career for him.
Yeah, maybe someone should point that out to Ben because he's the guy who keeps telling the beat writers from time to time that Davis is going to catch. From his body of work in rf so far that doesn't look so promising either. He needs to hit a ton to justify a roster spot at this point.
yep, he's real boxy back there.
Eno Sarris identified Jack Suwinski as one of the top “breakout” candidates for this season. He suggested pulling the ball more and making quicker adjustments could be key.
https://theathletic.com/5270852/2024/02/16/mlb-young-hitters-fantasy-baseball/?source=user_shared_articleMLB breakout candidates: The young hitters who could make a leap in 2024
I like Eno Sarris but even independent of his endorsement, I'm optimistic about Jack. A big part of that is how well he adapted despite very little time in AAA. Anyway, good to hear that Eno is high on him too.
I do not subscribe so I just shut it down when the article automatically shifted to offers to join.
From Jack's Rookie year in 2022 to 2023, his wRC+ increased from 98 to 112, and his fWAR increased from 1.7 to 2.8. His K% increased from 30.6% to 32.2% which I would rather see going in the other direction, but his BB% increased from 11% to 14%. His 26 HR's led the team and his 74 RBI's was second only to Reynolds' 84 RBI's. Nice work from a kid with barely more than 1 year of MLB service.
Against RHP's (332 AB) in 2023 he hit 24 of his 26 HR, and his K/BB was less than 2/1 (117/61). Against LHP's (115 AB) in 2023 he hit 2 HR, and his K/BB was about 4/1 (55/14).
If Jack can learn how to be serviceable vs southpaws, and keep the valleys of the season from happening as often,and for as long as they have, thus far in his career, he will indeed be a star.
Same can be said for Cruz.
The glimmer of hope is that Jack showed improvement in fixing the huge hole he had covering the outside of the plate towards the end of the season, hope he builds on it. Cruz handled the breaking pitch a little better, seemed to recognize it a little better and was fielding better, but his was in a way less sample size. So many freaking ifs with this team…..
I know everyone, including me, hates for one of our power hitters to strikeout looking, but I’d rather see that than see Cruz lunge at the sweeper a foot or farther off the plate when there are two strikes.
I can take the 2-out bases empty strike outs from power hitters. I struggle with the single hitters striking out with no one out and a runner in scoring position.......or a runner on third with one out. Move the runner!!!
You had to do that, huh? Now I've got that ugly visual in my mind......on the first day of ST!
I’m banning myself for next 24 hours…unless Pirates actually do something of interest, of course. 😎