He's been a bit wild, but the FB is 96-99 and has a lot of finish. Seems to overwhelm hitters. He hit one guy on a FB that looked like it'd be a little inside but just kept tailing inward.
Yeah his fastball is untouchable for these minor leaguers. It looks like a special pitch. Should be fun when all these guys are up pitching in Pittsburgh
Sports net main channel aired the game at 2am which I recorded. And it looks like it may be airing again today around 1pm unless it's the airing of the mlb spring game
That is very encouraging. His full recovery from that nerve injury will mean very good things for the Pirates. The guy was good before his arm started to give out... not ace good... but a solid MLB-caliber starter.
and then, of course, he "ropes" a double. Blind squirrel, etc etc. Not sure what else they need to see from this guy. He is exactly what everyone thinks he is -- it's not like there's some cosmic puzzle that, when solved, will make him a replacement level guy. Makes Cole Tucker look like an all-star.
On the topic of trades, in reading FG's summary of the Cease trade I was surprised at how bad the Padres' OF is. It's not like we're loaded in the OF, but Cherington seems to like to trade with Preller and maybe a minor trade could be a win-win. (I'm sure the guy they'd love to get back is Suwinski, but that would take a major return.)
What would be the cost to trade for Shane Bieber? He would be a one year rental but would slot nicely behind Keller for this year. I wouldn’t think it would cost a ton to get him.
If Cherington really believed in this team, he'd be open to trading someone like Solo for Bieber and I think the Guardians, with their track record of developing pitchers, would take such deal.
But Cherington's lackluster effort of addressing the rotation suggests that he's playing for '25, reminiscent of his comments last May that they didn't believe last year's team was a .500 team. He knows he can keep his job by just focusing on the promise of the future instead of making any difficult moves to try to win in the present.
Yeah I can’t disagree with this. It would be nice to see something that shows they are serious about winning. A trade for Bieber or someone like him would show me that. Even signing a clevinger or Lorenzen would make me think they are at least giving it their best shot.
He went to driveline and supposedly regained velocity, they wont sell cheap. That trad calculator must be broken if it suggests two waiver fodder guys and a defensive sub who cant hit with any pop.
Trade calculator has him worth the same as palacios, Contreras, and bae. I know that can’t be right if it is, do it now pick any of the 3 and ship them to Cleveland. Contreras for Bieber would be nice. But I just can’t see that being reasonable. I would think Harrington or barco for Bieber and maybe a lottery ticket would get it done.
Oneil Cruz is gonna break out with a swing rate so low you'll pee yourselves and I promise to be here rubbin yer noses innit while wearing my Andy Haines 2024 shirt.
Could be. Nobody in the division is a powerhouse. Nobody else is nearly as cheap as Nuttin, but otoh nobody is going to throw money at every single problem. So that creates vulnerability. Every year there's likely to be one team that underperforms (as opposed to just sucking like the Pirates) because stuff happens. Last year it was the Cards.
The tradeoff is that the Pirates and Cubs are probably the most on the upswing of the organizations in the NL Central.
The Cards have some interesting prospects, but it's hard to see a complete team. And I'm not sure how long the Reds can keep underachieving before we admit that maybe that's not as a deep of an organization as everybody thought when Elly de la Cruz briefly looked god tier. The Brewers have always found a way, but the Crads used to once be the team that found a way, too. Things change, and the brewers don't seem like they have a lot of magic left.
None of that guarantees anything for the Pirates, especially since they'll be waiting on prospect pitchers for the next two-ish years. Still, if the Pirates manage to not play themselves out contention in April and May . . .
Agree. Their pitching makes me a little uneasy, especially losing Williams, hence my hesitant answer. But that’s the one thing they’ve been able to manage well in their recent history.
7 innings is a bit lame......
Love the old school Smoltz windup, both hands above the head by Bubba.
Really smart having Mayo on the broadcast.
Pleasant surprise......cause Brownie and KY don't know these kids.
I've actually seen him quite a bit at LECOM and PC over the years.
As some of you may know, Mayo is from Pittsburgh. So he has a special interest in Pirates prospects, while retaining his overall objectivity.
Knew he lived there, didn’t know he was from there!
No Solometo, Harrington and bubba is disappointing. But overall the arms look good. Skenes will be in Pittsburgh no later than June.
Never mind chandler is in!!
He's been a bit wild, but the FB is 96-99 and has a lot of finish. Seems to overwhelm hitters. He hit one guy on a FB that looked like it'd be a little inside but just kept tailing inward.
If he can harness his stuff, him and Skenes could be a very formidable playoff 1 2 punch. Dang-it I'm dreaming again.
Yeah his fastball is untouchable for these minor leaguers. It looks like a special pitch. Should be fun when all these guys are up pitching in Pittsburgh
They DID have a video clip comparing Solo's motion to MadBum's.
reilly still lacking control, but that fastball is looking real nice
Hey you!
why hello. I hope you're doing well!
Sure am, and same to you! Hope to see you around these parts more now that we are almost back in season!
yes it is that time of year so I'll be around now!
Not sure I'd be eager to dig in against him.
nope...him or curtis lol
Do we see Matoma?
Blanco at first. This is a massive guy.
I like what I’m seeing from Barco, great change and hitting 95!
Really liked Barco, if he can maintain that velocity, it won't take him long to get to Altoona.
Reilly hit 96-97, Curtis 95-96.
Reilly looked like he had a better idea of where it was going, but both seemed to have live fastballs with a lot of movement
Curtis? *eyes emoji*
Reilly looks solid. His ball is moving a lot.
K'd the side, last one an automatic strike.
I'd like to see Bubba tonight.
Barco looked excellent
Apparently, MLB (Network) decided to blackout the breakout game in the Pittsburgh area. What tf?
It was on both ESPN+ and on the secondary channel of Sport’s Net Pittsburgh.
Completely forgot about the secondary AT&T channel.
That's absolutely insane. Do they expect you to hop down to LECOM to watch the game? I assume Baltimore is blacked out too.
Sports net main channel aired the game at 2am which I recorded. And it looks like it may be airing again today around 1pm unless it's the airing of the mlb spring game
Skenes had his best inning of the spring.
His arm was alive tonite......but only 11 pitches I think.
Lol, Joe Torre is sitting with Leyland and Nutting at the game......blame it on him.
I love the balls/strikes challenge. Just like tennis technology.
Only 1 hit allowed by Marco against a lot of starters. Very Good outing.
That is very encouraging. His full recovery from that nerve injury will mean very good things for the Pirates. The guy was good before his arm started to give out... not ace good... but a solid MLB-caliber starter.
A bunt single from a lightning bolt of a runner, sub 3.7 to first.
Got Marco and Barco mixed up, both had good outings only giving up 1 hit apiece.
They're giving Alika plenty of rope to hang himself. And he's using every bit of it.
Selby or Alika first off the 40-man?
Can't imagine they'll give up so quickly on Selby.
I think they're going to end up needing 2-3 spots for NRIs. The whole pitching staff's a mess.
and then, of course, he "ropes" a double. Blind squirrel, etc etc. Not sure what else they need to see from this guy. He is exactly what everyone thinks he is -- it's not like there's some cosmic puzzle that, when solved, will make him a replacement level guy. Makes Cole Tucker look like an all-star.
Does this mean we will see Alika Williams in RF soon too?
Who's Alika dating?
On the topic of trades, in reading FG's summary of the Cease trade I was surprised at how bad the Padres' OF is. It's not like we're loaded in the OF, but Cherington seems to like to trade with Preller and maybe a minor trade could be a win-win. (I'm sure the guy they'd love to get back is Suwinski, but that would take a major return.)
Everyone likes to trade with Preller.
Talk about a weird roster. They have a 21-year-old top SS prospect who has barely played above A ball as their CF'er. Profar in LF and a random at 3b.
Preller loves the shock and awe moves but i feel like his teams almost always have square pegs in round holes
What would be the cost to trade for Shane Bieber? He would be a one year rental but would slot nicely behind Keller for this year. I wouldn’t think it would cost a ton to get him.
If Cherington really believed in this team, he'd be open to trading someone like Solo for Bieber and I think the Guardians, with their track record of developing pitchers, would take such deal.
But Cherington's lackluster effort of addressing the rotation suggests that he's playing for '25, reminiscent of his comments last May that they didn't believe last year's team was a .500 team. He knows he can keep his job by just focusing on the promise of the future instead of making any difficult moves to try to win in the present.
Agree. There’s even been some speculation that they are going to give him until 2026 to try and see this through.
Yeah I can’t disagree with this. It would be nice to see something that shows they are serious about winning. A trade for Bieber or someone like him would show me that. Even signing a clevinger or Lorenzen would make me think they are at least giving it their best shot.
He went to driveline and supposedly regained velocity, they wont sell cheap. That trad calculator must be broken if it suggests two waiver fodder guys and a defensive sub who cant hit with any pop.
Yeah not sure why Bieber is so low. I think it’s due to this being his last year but still.
Trade calculator has him worth the same as palacios, Contreras, and bae. I know that can’t be right if it is, do it now pick any of the 3 and ship them to Cleveland. Contreras for Bieber would be nice. But I just can’t see that being reasonable. I would think Harrington or barco for Bieber and maybe a lottery ticket would get it done.
Harrington and one of Priester/Contreras/Ortiz to fill the slot vacated by Bieber has a good feel to it.
I’d be good with that I think. Really just want another proven starter haha
Same here, but given the amount of arm injuries Cleveland has sustained this spring, it’s unlikely they move him. Unless they’re bowled over.
Oneil Cruz is gonna break out with a swing rate so low you'll pee yourselves and I promise to be here rubbin yer noses innit while wearing my Andy Haines 2024 shirt.
When I come to Pittsburgh and you rent my that Air-B-whatever, I'm going to have and Andy Haines MVP shirt made for you.
Deal! ;)
Brooz looz their closer for half the year. Everyone getting the bug.
Cards lose Edmans, they're short on CF now.
Central back in sight for the Buccos!
The baseball gods are cruel. Don't tempt them with your hubris. Accept the gift and stay quiet while you enjoy watching the Crads lose.
Are they the big regression team in the NL central
Could be. Nobody in the division is a powerhouse. Nobody else is nearly as cheap as Nuttin, but otoh nobody is going to throw money at every single problem. So that creates vulnerability. Every year there's likely to be one team that underperforms (as opposed to just sucking like the Pirates) because stuff happens. Last year it was the Cards.
The tradeoff is that the Pirates and Cubs are probably the most on the upswing of the organizations in the NL Central.
The Cards have some interesting prospects, but it's hard to see a complete team. And I'm not sure how long the Reds can keep underachieving before we admit that maybe that's not as a deep of an organization as everybody thought when Elly de la Cruz briefly looked god tier. The Brewers have always found a way, but the Crads used to once be the team that found a way, too. Things change, and the brewers don't seem like they have a lot of magic left.
None of that guarantees anything for the Pirates, especially since they'll be waiting on prospect pitchers for the next two-ish years. Still, if the Pirates manage to not play themselves out contention in April and May . . .
Hard to say. If their young talent comes out of the gate quick they’ll be fine.
Good call, known talent level definitely took a step back but chourio, hall, etc could probably make that up
Agree. Their pitching makes me a little uneasy, especially losing Williams, hence my hesitant answer. But that’s the one thing they’ve been able to manage well in their recent history.