Sorry for the absence

I have been gone for a while because of work, but I have kept up with the Pirates even through the very disappointing Brewers trouble. Thankfully, the Pirates are looking up a little thanks to a two game sweep of the Reds. The Pirates are a fourth by half a game behind the Brewers. Interleague Plays starts this weekend, and it could be bad for us.

However there are some really good signs for the Pirates. McCutchen is hitting okay. Morton and McDonald are pitching very good. It looks as if they are going to be able to stay decent all year. But the really is good signs are in the minors.

Brad Lincoln is pitching very well. There is not a place for him in the majors right now, but he is looking like a starter. If we should trade some pieces, Lincoln is ready. Also at the Triple A level and doing good is Chase D'Arnaud. His bat was asleep early in the year, but he is almost up to .300. Not quite the power you want, but he is looking better. Behind him in AA is Jordy Mercer. Mercer is having a nice May after an awful April. You still want him to hit for better average, but his homers are good and his walks are actually leading the team. Sterling Marte is ready for a promotion and Sanchez ought to get one before the year is over as well. Brock Holt is slowing, but still doing very well. He may be ready soon too. In high A, Robbie Grossman is looking like a prospect again, as is Jarek Cunningham (although Evan Chambers is not looking like one anymore). The Power are loaded with talent in pitching to go along with Matt Curry, who needs a callup now and Justin Howard as well as Kawami Pai. Tallion lost the other day, but is striking people out and not walking them. He looks good. Colton Cain looks the best, but Waldron is okay and while Von Rosenburg might have higher expectations, he is not behind where he ought to be as his strikeouts are ridiculously high despite poor win totals. Brooks Pounders has the best WHIP, so good pitchers litter this Power line up.

Even better is let us remember the Pirates have two more big time prospects yet to make a start in Allie and the 16 year old phenom from Mexico. Oh yeah, Victor Black has not shown up yet either. And the draft is coming up where the Pirates are bound to get at least one big new prospect and probably two or three that will excite us.

Looking forward to seeing the Tigers and Leyland again.