I think I posting on P2 during the draft that I didn't like the pick unless they were going to give him a try at catcher. It makes me like the pick better.
No, Nick got picked off 1B by the catcher! That's an example of falling asleep and also I'll call out first base coach too. Since it wasn't televised, not sure who that was today.
Thanks, unable to watch or listen to the game. While I totally agree about the responsibility being in this particular instance on Nick and the 1st base coach but this happens so often with multiple players on this team during the Shelton era from seasoned veterans to the youngest players and there is a disconnect between the coaching and having these guys totally prepared for game situations. These types of situations happen too often with this team.
That was one of the worst plays in the history of baseball. That being said, I put a blame also on the Pirates teammates that should have been shouting at him to touch first base.
Assuming they're not ready to promote Jones, then a viable rotation in April should be
Keller
Perez/Anderson piggy-back
Priester/Gonzales piggy-back
Contreras/Falter piggy-back
Lauer/Ortiz piggy-back
All of the piggy-back guys need to prove that they can pitch more than 3-4 innings; use April to see who earns that opportunity. If Jones makes the roster, then I'd use Lauer out of the pen and have Ortiz in AAA as starting pitching depth (subject to change based on how Ortiz looks in his next couple of outings).
We don't have 13 guys in camp who have earned a spot, but I wouldn't mind if Priester starts off in AAA. It's just that he's on the 40-man and once you start adding guys like Lauer (who I'm intrigued about), Anderson, Peralta, etc., you're having to DFA guys.
I loved the piggy-backs after the All-Star game last season (out of necessity), but we don't have the 2 extra roster spots like they did in September. Makes it tough to do.
I would like to see us have a long reliever ready for every game. Let the starter keep pitching, if he is doing well. Take him out early if he is struggling. With our inconsistency from our staff, I wouldn't like to see a schedule edged in stone.
They would need the piggy-back guys to be able to pitch an inning on their bullpen days between starts, or it could overstretch their pen. A more realistic arrangement would be 2-3 traditional starters and 2-3 piggy-back games instead of four.
Not that I want it to happen but I could see McKinney being the 4th outfielder. He has played every outfield spot and first. He has also been hitting well 350 avg. Could see him making it over palacios, bae and CSN.
But, we traded to get Olivares and Celestino has the positive CF innings at the MLB level, a strong ST, and is out of options. And we also have Connor Joe who will see time in the OF. In most ST he would look good for the Pirates, but not this year! Can't fit him into the 26.
I think Olivares is a lock but there’s one spot open among Bae, Palacios, CSN, McKinney and if you want to throw in Celestino. I don’t think Celestino makes it but not sure which of the others listed will. I think it’s a toss up.
He's on a minor league deal, and I think that will be the major factor in him not making the Opening Day roster. They'll surely place Moreta on the 60-day IL to open a spot, but that may be Jones' spot.
He has had somewhat of rough-go of it in the majors, but seems to have potential. Personally I would like to see him get a month of success under his belt in the minors first.
He's walked 7 times in 27 ABs........must be getting DS attention! And there's also the cash considerations that BC spent to get him.......gotta give him the Van Meter treatment.
Braves sending their B team today, as expected. Good to see Gonzales back in our lineup, though clearly they're wanting to see if he can handle a utility role by playing him at SS with Triolo at 2B.
With Liover Peguero (2B/SS) and Jared Triolo 3B/2B/SS) onboard, and the type of Spring that Termarr Johnson is having, I see the Pirates as trying to showcase NG for a possible trade.
Stumpf has an interesting article up about Lauer, including Lauer's use of a mental skills coach. I'm looking forward to seeing Lauer on the mound.
Stumpf did make one big mis-statement that I've seen others make. Historically, there are more off days in April than other months. This year, though, we only have three off-days from the Opener on March 28 through the end of April. In May, though, we have five off days. In June we have four. In fact, March/April has fewer off days than any month until September when we only have two off days.
What is the average number of postponements per month? He says off days and not scheduled games. Weather would be a factor. There seem to be many more in April compared to other months. Is data on that available anywhere? Looking at the Pirate's schedule, I would expect at least 1 to 2 games postponed in April.
Stumpf is also on FGs effectively wild podcast this week, with a Bucs preview. EW runs twice a week, and pairs two teams together on previews as they get towards the season starting. It’s a good listen.
To state the obvious, with our rotation so unsettled and Bednar possibly facing a delayed start to the season, our April schedule is doing us no favors (but at least we'll have a lot of baseball to watch :)).
McKinney goes BOOM!?!?!?! How the hell did that happen?
Palacios better get back soon or McKinney is going to take his roster spot.
McKinney reminds me of Ben Gamel.
If he is your 4th or 5th OF, that is not a bad thing.
Hmmm. Garret Forrester is catching at PC.
I remember reading somewhere that pre-draft some teams had tried him out as a catcher.
I think I posting on P2 during the draft that I didn't like the pick unless they were going to give him a try at catcher. It makes me like the pick better.
It’s really the most sensible move. He’s not going to stick defensively at third and he doesn’t have the power for first.
He has catching experience? I know that we drafted him as an infielder
Better than 1b where he is destined. Back up catcher, 1b will of course increase his chances.
They left a catcher’s mitt on the bench as bait and Garret happened to pick it up. He was trapped……
Nikki G. saw 3 FB at 95, down 0-2 in the count, then line drive on a slider. Hmmm.
But now he just made a play that Wehner and Brown called one of the best you'll ever see.
Smh.....I did not know there was radio today. Thx!
I couldn't get mine to work.
He is looking much better at the plate. His strike out rate is less than the Pirates team in spring training so far.
Pirates team 18%
Peguero 8%
Nick G. 15%
Bae 24%
Triolo 30%
And then a TOOTBLAN as the trail runner at 1B.......wth is he thinking?
Am I missing some more of that Shelton led small ball?
No, Nick got picked off 1B by the catcher! That's an example of falling asleep and also I'll call out first base coach too. Since it wasn't televised, not sure who that was today.
Thanks, unable to watch or listen to the game. While I totally agree about the responsibility being in this particular instance on Nick and the 1st base coach but this happens so often with multiple players on this team during the Shelton era from seasoned veterans to the youngest players and there is a disconnect between the coaching and having these guys totally prepared for game situations. These types of situations happen too often with this team.
He’s thinking, What would a Pirate do?
WWWCD
What Would Will Craig Do?
That was one of the worst plays in the history of baseball. That being said, I put a blame also on the Pirates teammates that should have been shouting at him to touch first base.
Bases loaded, no outs. Called third and a snap pickoff. Spring training on how to kill an inning.
Looks like Falters and Anderson should be all set to handle the split squad B games. How many of those do we have?
Assuming they're not ready to promote Jones, then a viable rotation in April should be
Keller
Perez/Anderson piggy-back
Priester/Gonzales piggy-back
Contreras/Falter piggy-back
Lauer/Ortiz piggy-back
All of the piggy-back guys need to prove that they can pitch more than 3-4 innings; use April to see who earns that opportunity. If Jones makes the roster, then I'd use Lauer out of the pen and have Ortiz in AAA as starting pitching depth (subject to change based on how Ortiz looks in his next couple of outings).
Has priester earned a spot in mlb vs AAA?
We don't have 13 guys in camp who have earned a spot, but I wouldn't mind if Priester starts off in AAA. It's just that he's on the 40-man and once you start adding guys like Lauer (who I'm intrigued about), Anderson, Peralta, etc., you're having to DFA guys.
I loved the piggy-backs after the All-Star game last season (out of necessity), but we don't have the 2 extra roster spots like they did in September. Makes it tough to do.
I would like to see us have a long reliever ready for every game. Let the starter keep pitching, if he is doing well. Take him out early if he is struggling. With our inconsistency from our staff, I wouldn't like to see a schedule edged in stone.
They would need the piggy-back guys to be able to pitch an inning on their bullpen days between starts, or it could overstretch their pen. A more realistic arrangement would be 2-3 traditional starters and 2-3 piggy-back games instead of four.
Just do it Tampa style and shuttle players back and forth from AAA to the bigs.
Watching JP Massey at Pirate City. He’s walked 3 of the first 4 hitters.
Not exactly the start you want to see after the finish he had
Drake Fellows looks good, though. Seen him three times already.
Isn't Fellows older than Rich Hill?
He’s older than all the hills.
Since we acquired him or this year?
This year.
Not that I want it to happen but I could see McKinney being the 4th outfielder. He has played every outfield spot and first. He has also been hitting well 350 avg. Could see him making it over palacios, bae and CSN.
But, we traded to get Olivares and Celestino has the positive CF innings at the MLB level, a strong ST, and is out of options. And we also have Connor Joe who will see time in the OF. In most ST he would look good for the Pirates, but not this year! Can't fit him into the 26.
I think Olivares is a lock but there’s one spot open among Bae, Palacios, CSN, McKinney and if you want to throw in Celestino. I don’t think Celestino makes it but not sure which of the others listed will. I think it’s a toss up.
Do the Pirates have the option of sending Celestino down?
He's on a minor league deal, and I think that will be the major factor in him not making the Opening Day roster. They'll surely place Moreta on the 60-day IL to open a spot, but that may be Jones' spot.
He’s not on the 40 man. I would assume but could be wrong.
He has had somewhat of rough-go of it in the majors, but seems to have potential. Personally I would like to see him get a month of success under his belt in the minors first.
He's certainly seeing a lot of action in ST....
He's walked 7 times in 27 ABs........must be getting DS attention! And there's also the cash considerations that BC spent to get him.......gotta give him the Van Meter treatment.
And another walk. Give that man a contract. BC loves OBP.
Yeah he’s a lock now haha
Braves sending their B team today, as expected. Good to see Gonzales back in our lineup, though clearly they're wanting to see if he can handle a utility role by playing him at SS with Triolo at 2B.
With Liover Peguero (2B/SS) and Jared Triolo 3B/2B/SS) onboard, and the type of Spring that Termarr Johnson is having, I see the Pirates as trying to showcase NG for a possible trade.
Stumpf has an interesting article up about Lauer, including Lauer's use of a mental skills coach. I'm looking forward to seeing Lauer on the mound.
Stumpf did make one big mis-statement that I've seen others make. Historically, there are more off days in April than other months. This year, though, we only have three off-days from the Opener on March 28 through the end of April. In May, though, we have five off days. In June we have four. In fact, March/April has fewer off days than any month until September when we only have two off days.
What is the average number of postponements per month? He says off days and not scheduled games. Weather would be a factor. There seem to be many more in April compared to other months. Is data on that available anywhere? Looking at the Pirate's schedule, I would expect at least 1 to 2 games postponed in April.
Stumpf is also on FGs effectively wild podcast this week, with a Bucs preview. EW runs twice a week, and pairs two teams together on previews as they get towards the season starting. It’s a good listen.
To state the obvious, with our rotation so unsettled and Bednar possibly facing a delayed start to the season, our April schedule is doing us no favors (but at least we'll have a lot of baseball to watch :)).
Saw that about April, and that's going to eliminate the likelihood of carrying 14 position players. It's probably going to be 13/13 split.