So BA has "next ten" lists up for every team, showing the 31-40 guys. Damned if Tony Blanco Jr. isn't #31 for the Pirates. This is a guy who's done little but strike out as a pro, but the EV keeps bringing 'em back for more.
Shalin Polanco and Rodolfo Nolasco also make the list due to EVs. Seems to be a pattern here.
And David Matoma is #40! Triple digits and an "improving" slider. Still long odds, but is anybody not rooting for this kid?
With his $900K signing and size alone, Blanco has to be regarded as a high prospect. But, a name that I did not find in that grouping is Carlos Castillo, signed for $245K out of Ven last year, and as a 17 year old Started 11 games in the DSL, 37 IP, 0-3, 1.70 ERA, 9.7/3.6 K/BB/9, and throws a FB (92), Curve, and Changeup.
I'm so rooting for Matoma. Hope he's our unicorn with Pedro's stuff, Maddox's control and Ryan's longevity and heat.
I don't think that asking for too much.
Also hope Blanco Jr gets Aaron Judge's hitting coach and has an opportunity to have a long conversation with Frank Thomas on overall hitting (approach, discipline and situation).
this is where the Endy injury really hurts. He was a solid bat against RHP; setting up a perfect platoon situation (less LHP's than RHP's) with Davis who just happens to be inferior at defense.
I think two of the biggest questions to be answered with our lineup are whether Suwinski and Cruz can be everyday players or whether they need platoon partners. With Cruz coming back from a year off, I'd give him more benefit of the doubt. But in Jack's third season, he needs to show he can provide competent ABs against lefties. IIRC, there were some positive signs of that in September.
For part (maybe much) of the year, the Pirates led the league in backwards Ks and Suwinski seemed like problem child #1 in that area. I don’t have any data in front of me but my recollection was that Jack seemed to recover late-year from his earlier Death Valley slumps by being less picky at the plate and putting the ball in play.
Jack seemingly would benefit from the old school power hitter approach, two for me and one for the team. In other words, look to do damage with less than two strikes, and just try to keep the line moving with two strikes.
This would maximize the 26-man. I could live with this, but it would be nice to improve upon Palacios and Peguero. Peguero is a fun player to watch and has great energy but a .750 OPS in the minors doesn't generally translate.
The best way to platoon Olivares would be to put him in against any soft-tosser, lefty or righty, and sit him against good heat. Then you might actually get some value out of him.
If you squint just a bit, you can see a halfway decent lineup for facing both righties and lefties. Of course this is dependent on Hayes and Davis coming close to hitting their ceiling vs LHP’s, and Cruz, Tellez, Jack, and BRey having their way with RHP’s.
If I had to venture a guess today, I’d say Pirates will be marginally better vs both RHP’s and LHP’s compared to last year, resulting in them scoring 746 runs next year. Which happens to be 54 more than last year, and not coincidentally the same number of runs as the NL pennant winning Dbacks scored last year. 😎
In comparison to Pirates, you are correct, but realistically Pirates, Reds, and Brewers are fortunate the Cards and Cubs don’t swing their money sledgehammer more forcefully.
If either of them acted more like the Phillies or even Padres, the hill to climb to the top of the division would be even steeper.
I think we’re seeing a general scaling back in MLB, with teams like the Reds and Brewers ditching players apparently for monetary reasons without quite doing tear downs. Cleveland’s been doing that for years. The Cubs and Yankees have underspent their potential. Just a few examples.
I think a lot of teams (def not LAD) are groping for some sort of middle way. The pandemic started it and the cable meltdown accelerated it. The difference with the Pirates is a combination of incompetence and a SEVERE financial conservatism that keeps them from looking for any solutions beyond just fanatical, iron-brained cheapness.
I would bet the under all day long. Are the Red Sox the worst team in that division? All marketing for the Pirates would be "Come see this star studded team beat the snot out of your local Bucs". Then stay for fireworks. Or "Get a free hotdog or nachos for any homerun ball you return to the ticket booth".
Any one see that whatever they call Heinz Field is taking away the last trough in the men's bathrooms? Nothing more random that freezing your ass off shoulder to shoulder with a random while pissing.
So BA has "next ten" lists up for every team, showing the 31-40 guys. Damned if Tony Blanco Jr. isn't #31 for the Pirates. This is a guy who's done little but strike out as a pro, but the EV keeps bringing 'em back for more.
Shalin Polanco and Rodolfo Nolasco also make the list due to EVs. Seems to be a pattern here.
And David Matoma is #40! Triple digits and an "improving" slider. Still long odds, but is anybody not rooting for this kid?
With his $900K signing and size alone, Blanco has to be regarded as a high prospect. But, a name that I did not find in that grouping is Carlos Castillo, signed for $245K out of Ven last year, and as a 17 year old Started 11 games in the DSL, 37 IP, 0-3, 1.70 ERA, 9.7/3.6 K/BB/9, and throws a FB (92), Curve, and Changeup.
I'm so rooting for Matoma. Hope he's our unicorn with Pedro's stuff, Maddox's control and Ryan's longevity and heat.
I don't think that asking for too much.
Also hope Blanco Jr gets Aaron Judge's hitting coach and has an opportunity to have a long conversation with Frank Thomas on overall hitting (approach, discipline and situation).
Diego Castillo has been DFAd again. This time by the Phillies. 4th DFA since December. Wonder if he will get claimed or if he will be outrighted?
He might want to go to Japan.
Might be a good idea if no team claims him. If he is claimed he is still under control if the claiming team.
He did well against lefties two years ago.
Mackey 'bout to run a story on the Pirates being good if not for NL Central teams ganging up on them.
I blame you, Nola.
Now the Pirates can claim Diego Castillo and Mackey will claim it’s a genius move.
*Elon fan voice*: brilliant gambit, sir, your genius astounds me
Another Blast from the Past — Adrian Sampson signed a MiL deal with TX.
for Happ, no?
this is where the Endy injury really hurts. He was a solid bat against RHP; setting up a perfect platoon situation (less LHP's than RHP's) with Davis who just happens to be inferior at defense.
In an ideal world, they platoon Jack and Olivares in a corner and sign (Taylor?) a true CF. Also platoon Joe and Tellez.
Ideal world……Bellinger!
I think two of the biggest questions to be answered with our lineup are whether Suwinski and Cruz can be everyday players or whether they need platoon partners. With Cruz coming back from a year off, I'd give him more benefit of the doubt. But in Jack's third season, he needs to show he can provide competent ABs against lefties. IIRC, there were some positive signs of that in September.
For part (maybe much) of the year, the Pirates led the league in backwards Ks and Suwinski seemed like problem child #1 in that area. I don’t have any data in front of me but my recollection was that Jack seemed to recover late-year from his earlier Death Valley slumps by being less picky at the plate and putting the ball in play.
Jack's best month (July) correlated with his *lowest* swing rate.
Jack's worst month (August) correlated with his second *highest* swing rate.
He finally sync'd up in September by swinging more without chasing.
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jack-suwinski/22244/graphs?statArr=50,102,103&legend=1,2,3,4&split=base&time=game&ymin=&ymax=&start=2023&end=2023&rtype=single>1=15&dStatArray=
Thanks for that data
Good stuff NMR.
Jack seemingly would benefit from the old school power hitter approach, two for me and one for the team. In other words, look to do damage with less than two strikes, and just try to keep the line moving with two strikes.
And bat in the 5 spot.
I am fully aboard your 5spot train
It has been his best spot, by a lot.
wise advice, my friend.
Add the fact that Oneil Cruz is a lefty and potentially our best power bat.
If they deploy Olivares and Joe properly, they could be very good hitters.
vs LHP - Hayes, Reynolds, Joe, Olivares, Davis, Cutch, Suwinski, Triolo, Peguero
vs RHP - Cruz, Reynolds, Hayes, Suwinski, Davis, Telez, Cutch, Palacios, Peguero.
This would maximize the 26-man. I could live with this, but it would be nice to improve upon Palacios and Peguero. Peguero is a fun player to watch and has great energy but a .750 OPS in the minors doesn't generally translate.
There's no reason, outside injury, for Palacios to be on the MLB roster.
Unfortunately, hes probably our 4th OF right now and RF platoon against RHP unless we make another move
If he makes the 26 man roster, he should not be the strong side with Olivares. Olivares hits righties better than Palacios does.
Oop didnt realize that, good call!
The best way to platoon Olivares would be to put him in against any soft-tosser, lefty or righty, and sit him against good heat. Then you might actually get some value out of him.
MOAR PLATOONS! Does anybody in MLB even remember Earl Weaver? He got a ton of mileage out of OK players that way. So did Stengel.
No way they’ll platoon Cruz, but I’ll be surprised if Shelton even platoons Tellez strictly.
I know the Dodgers and Rays run heavy platoons and it works as they're maximizing matchups.
Yeah, you're right they won't platoon Oneil. They certainly should with Telez as Joe is a perfect platoon mate.
I would look at the Rays and try to do everything that they do. Besides rip off the Pirates in trades.
Joe/Tellez and Olivares/Palacios (?) both could reasonably be above league average production for those positions, which would be huge imo
Palacios was an excellent pinch hitter (clutch, in fact), but we’ve seen what he looks like when they try to make him start. It ain’t good.
If you squint just a bit, you can see a halfway decent lineup for facing both righties and lefties. Of course this is dependent on Hayes and Davis coming close to hitting their ceiling vs LHP’s, and Cruz, Tellez, Jack, and BRey having their way with RHP’s.
If I had to venture a guess today, I’d say Pirates will be marginally better vs both RHP’s and LHP’s compared to last year, resulting in them scoring 746 runs next year. Which happens to be 54 more than last year, and not coincidentally the same number of runs as the NL pennant winning Dbacks scored last year. 😎
Are you saying the NL Central stocked up on lefties to stymie the Bucs?
Yes, everyone is ganging up on the Pirates.
But seriously, no. I just found it interesting how there's such an influx of LH starters.
They nefariously stocked up on baseball players to stymie the Bucs.
Those scoundrels!
In comparison to Pirates, you are correct, but realistically Pirates, Reds, and Brewers are fortunate the Cards and Cubs don’t swing their money sledgehammer more forcefully.
If either of them acted more like the Phillies or even Padres, the hill to climb to the top of the division would be even steeper.
I think we’re seeing a general scaling back in MLB, with teams like the Reds and Brewers ditching players apparently for monetary reasons without quite doing tear downs. Cleveland’s been doing that for years. The Cubs and Yankees have underspent their potential. Just a few examples.
I think a lot of teams (def not LAD) are groping for some sort of middle way. The pandemic started it and the cable meltdown accelerated it. The difference with the Pirates is a combination of incompetence and a SEVERE financial conservatism that keeps them from looking for any solutions beyond just fanatical, iron-brained cheapness.
You think the scaling back is a side effect (intended or not) of playoff expansion? As in, let’s just shoot for 85 and we can make it all the way.
That may contribute, but I think it’s more a sense that the good times are coming to an end.
FF(Finacial Frugality)+ RA( Risk Adversion) = BN
I hear it’s a new economic formula being taught at institutions of higher learning, like Amherst for example.
Thing is, Nutting’s intolerance for any risk whatsoever only pertains to money — as is apropos for a pure rent-seeker.
Replace dollars with baseball wins and Nutting is Evel Knieval incarnate.
Seriously. Imagine if the Pirates were in the AL East. Judge would be like the Sosa and Mac of the roid days.
We MIGHT win 65 games this season if we were in the AL east
I would bet the under all day long. Are the Red Sox the worst team in that division? All marketing for the Pirates would be "Come see this star studded team beat the snot out of your local Bucs". Then stay for fireworks. Or "Get a free hotdog or nachos for any homerun ball you return to the ticket booth".
Any one see that whatever they call Heinz Field is taking away the last trough in the men's bathrooms? Nothing more random that freezing your ass off shoulder to shoulder with a random while pissing.
I knew it would all go to shit once they renamed it to acrisure!