As the year winds down, it is almost impossible for the Pirates not to make the playoffs. And I do have to pinch myself when I say that. However, our bats have deserted us a bit at the end of this year and it cost us against San Diego. We lost two winnable games and dropped out of first. The good news is we found the bats today and St. Louis finally lost a close game to the Rockies. We are a game out and that is doable.
However, the Reds are all that matter. The Pirates need to get that first round bye or avoid the play in game, however you want to look at it. But thanks to this series it is more in the hands of the Cards than us. What the Pirates have to do is avoid dropping below the Reds so they can host that playoff game. We have a head to head series coming up and it is very important. VERY IMPORTANT. All eyes will be watching one of the last real races in the majors.
I do think a word needs to be said about Gerrit Cole. These last few weeks he has been everything you dreamed he would be when he was drafted. He pitched us out of the slump that finally got the winning record. He pitched great the next outing too. And today he set a career high with 12 K's, breaking another slump of 3 games. Cole may be the ace now. He is pitching like it. This is great news for the future of the Pirates.
So too is the news about Fall Ball. Jameson Taillon will be pitching for the Scorpions (I think that is who we are associated with). Taillon did well at Triple A and if he can do will in a very hitter friendly environment, he is not long for the minors next year. I am just as excited about Phil Irwin going out to Arizona. Irwin has been a winner at every level and made it to the majors this year only to get hurt. This means he is back and ready to pitch. Getting him a few innings is what he needs. He will be on the outside looking in next year thanks to this injury, but I do believe Irwin has the ability to be a 5th starter in the majors, and a good one. It is good to see him back.
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
2013 Draft Round 1
Okay, so following a successful Pirates team is proving more stressful than I imagined. I am not sure I am able to cheer on a team that is close to the playoffs, but might well miss them.
But today is a day of looking forward, and it turned out to be a much better day than I had hoped.
Almost all of the mock drafts had the Pirates taking high schooler Reese McGuire with the 9th pick and then getting usually Hunter Renfroe for the 14th or D.J. Peterson or Dominic Smith. But, when the draft picks started falling into place the Pirates were given the opportunity to pick Austin Meadows, a high school 5 tool outfielder. Almost all predictions had him going before the 9th pick. So, the Pirates snatched him up as they had been rumored to want another good outfielder.
Meadows is young and will be a bit of a work in progress, so don't expect massive numbers in short season ball. But he is highly athletic and has been highly successful so far. We got a guy that everyone thought would be gone, and was almost universally rated higher than McGuire, so it is reason to be excited.
The best news is that then McGuire was still around at 14, so the Pirates took him then. It seemed obvious the Pirates thought McGuire a top 10 talent, as all mock drafts had the Pirates taking the high school catcher. His defense is apparently great and his bat will need the work, but not in the same way that Sanchez needed work. Expect more from this kid.
With the Pirates clearly wanting McGuire and still getting him 5 picks later than they had planed and thus getting an even greater talent at 9, this was a highly successful Day 1 to the draft. And there is one more bit of great news. Mark Appel went #1 to the Astros. He will not get the amount of money he could have if he had been willing to let the Astros draft him last year, but that is not the great news. The great news is that many had thought the Astros would pass on Mark again and that would have meant he fell to the Cubs, who would have taken him. Now Appel will pitch in the American League and never have to cross the Pirates, and especially not have to cross in division every year. That too is good news.
More tomorrow on the next section of the draft.
But today is a day of looking forward, and it turned out to be a much better day than I had hoped.
Almost all of the mock drafts had the Pirates taking high schooler Reese McGuire with the 9th pick and then getting usually Hunter Renfroe for the 14th or D.J. Peterson or Dominic Smith. But, when the draft picks started falling into place the Pirates were given the opportunity to pick Austin Meadows, a high school 5 tool outfielder. Almost all predictions had him going before the 9th pick. So, the Pirates snatched him up as they had been rumored to want another good outfielder.
Meadows is young and will be a bit of a work in progress, so don't expect massive numbers in short season ball. But he is highly athletic and has been highly successful so far. We got a guy that everyone thought would be gone, and was almost universally rated higher than McGuire, so it is reason to be excited.
The best news is that then McGuire was still around at 14, so the Pirates took him then. It seemed obvious the Pirates thought McGuire a top 10 talent, as all mock drafts had the Pirates taking the high school catcher. His defense is apparently great and his bat will need the work, but not in the same way that Sanchez needed work. Expect more from this kid.
With the Pirates clearly wanting McGuire and still getting him 5 picks later than they had planed and thus getting an even greater talent at 9, this was a highly successful Day 1 to the draft. And there is one more bit of great news. Mark Appel went #1 to the Astros. He will not get the amount of money he could have if he had been willing to let the Astros draft him last year, but that is not the great news. The great news is that many had thought the Astros would pass on Mark again and that would have meant he fell to the Cubs, who would have taken him. Now Appel will pitch in the American League and never have to cross the Pirates, and especially not have to cross in division every year. That too is good news.
More tomorrow on the next section of the draft.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Raising Expectations
The Pirates not only came through their important 10 game homestead with flying colors, but then took 3 of 4 from the hated Phils in Philly. We have won 10 of the last 13 and are leading in the suspended game. This is great news for the Pirates.
It is made even better by the fact that Andrew McCutchen is in a bit of an unnoticed slump. McCutchen is hitting only .235 and has a lower walk rate right now than in years past. Although he has a lower strike out rate as well, his BABIP is a measly .250. This gives one reason to hope that Andrew will break out in a big way. But the important thing is the Pirates are winning without him hitting. Add in the fact that Neil Walker is not hitting that well either, and we see that the Pirates may have actually found an offense.
In years past Neil Walker going down ended the offense as people were able to pitch around McCutchen. Now we have a lead off hitter in Marte who is playing great. We have a platoon that appears to be working at first and in right. We have Pedro who hits homers and nothing else. We have a catcher who is a power threat and that is enough to give our decent starting pitching and our great bullpen wins.
Let's hope that the platoon continues to work as that still is the place that concerns me. Better pitchers are on the way as Morton is looking good, and Lirano is stretching out. Both are an improvement over Sanchez.
It is made even better by the fact that Andrew McCutchen is in a bit of an unnoticed slump. McCutchen is hitting only .235 and has a lower walk rate right now than in years past. Although he has a lower strike out rate as well, his BABIP is a measly .250. This gives one reason to hope that Andrew will break out in a big way. But the important thing is the Pirates are winning without him hitting. Add in the fact that Neil Walker is not hitting that well either, and we see that the Pirates may have actually found an offense.
In years past Neil Walker going down ended the offense as people were able to pitch around McCutchen. Now we have a lead off hitter in Marte who is playing great. We have a platoon that appears to be working at first and in right. We have Pedro who hits homers and nothing else. We have a catcher who is a power threat and that is enough to give our decent starting pitching and our great bullpen wins.
Let's hope that the platoon continues to work as that still is the place that concerns me. Better pitchers are on the way as Morton is looking good, and Lirano is stretching out. Both are an improvement over Sanchez.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
An important homestand
These next 10 games could really set the tone for the year. Reds, Cards, Braves. It started off scary, but with a win last night. It is important that the Pirates are still within a few games and have won some of these series. It is early to say that this homestead is make or break, but it as close as you can get. The Pirates could easily come out of this homestead in first place, or in last. Everything is set up for us from pitching to having a day off before it started. This is "almost must win territory".
That being said, the Pirates have some good stuff going on in the minors right now. You have to think that by July the starting pitching will be 3/5ths different. You would also think that the Pirates might have some new bench players. Jordy Mercer in particular is going to be hard to ignore if he keeps hitting so well, and the guys in the majors hit so poorly. Bullpen help is already on the way with Brian Morris. Vic Black is doing well and could be another. If Tony Watson continues to struggle, one would imagine he may disappear from the big league roster.
Either way, keep an eye on these games. We are not exactly know for making late season charges, so we had better take advantage early, like right now.
That being said, the Pirates have some good stuff going on in the minors right now. You have to think that by July the starting pitching will be 3/5ths different. You would also think that the Pirates might have some new bench players. Jordy Mercer in particular is going to be hard to ignore if he keeps hitting so well, and the guys in the majors hit so poorly. Bullpen help is already on the way with Brian Morris. Vic Black is doing well and could be another. If Tony Watson continues to struggle, one would imagine he may disappear from the big league roster.
Either way, keep an eye on these games. We are not exactly know for making late season charges, so we had better take advantage early, like right now.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Forget LA, what about Phil Irwin
The Pirates looked absolutely awful in LA. Admittedly Zack Grienke and Clayton Kershaw can do that to bats, but still, it was embarrassing. If not for McCutchen's homer, I think I may have given up all hope for this season.
The good news is we looked a lot better today in Arizona. An early lead, McCutchen driving in multiple runs, and in the end a great bullpen performance leading to a victory. Marte and McCutchen look great. Jones hit a homer, which is a hopeful sign, and Travis Snider has gotten a few hits now. Hopefully Alvarez comes around soon, and maybe Walker too. Then we could have a real offense.
The bad news is that Wandy Rodriguiz left with a leg problem that has been described as a hamstring issue. That is not so good, as both our wins came on his starts. I am not sure the Pirates can afford to add him to the list of Karstens, Morton, and Lirano of good pitchers not pitching.
If he does go on the DL, what I would like to see is a promotion of Phil Irwin. I really like this guy. He just gets the job done. His first start this year was six good innings. One walk, one run, five strikeouts. He has done nothing but win at every level. He does not have the blow your mind speed on the fastball, but he has the results, and he deserves a shot. I like him better than McPherson, at least at this point. I say, bring up Irwin and let him have a shot.
I would rather Wandy not go on the DL at all, but just thinking out loud.
The good news is we looked a lot better today in Arizona. An early lead, McCutchen driving in multiple runs, and in the end a great bullpen performance leading to a victory. Marte and McCutchen look great. Jones hit a homer, which is a hopeful sign, and Travis Snider has gotten a few hits now. Hopefully Alvarez comes around soon, and maybe Walker too. Then we could have a real offense.
The bad news is that Wandy Rodriguiz left with a leg problem that has been described as a hamstring issue. That is not so good, as both our wins came on his starts. I am not sure the Pirates can afford to add him to the list of Karstens, Morton, and Lirano of good pitchers not pitching.
If he does go on the DL, what I would like to see is a promotion of Phil Irwin. I really like this guy. He just gets the job done. His first start this year was six good innings. One walk, one run, five strikeouts. He has done nothing but win at every level. He does not have the blow your mind speed on the fastball, but he has the results, and he deserves a shot. I like him better than McPherson, at least at this point. I say, bring up Irwin and let him have a shot.
I would rather Wandy not go on the DL at all, but just thinking out loud.
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