Nick Hibbing retires

I have to admit the news of Nick Hibbing retiring is disappointing.  He was just drafted last year.  My draft review shows my excitement for this mid teen round pick.  He was big in the run Iowa made last year.  He was their closer, and they would just give him the ball and he usually got it done.  Even if it meant going three innings, and routinely two in the big games.  Now he did not have great K rates or ground ball rates, but he did get outs without runs.  He did it in college, and he was doing it in Short Season A ball.  He had a sub 2 ERA and I still thought he had a chance to make the team one day as a mid reliever.  He may have even been a guy who could have moved up the ladder fairly quickly.  Even if he was just a AAAA depth option in the pen, that should have kept him in the game.  One wonders why he decided to retire this week.  I wish him well in his life, but I think he could have been an addition to the Pirates farm system. 

I admit it

I admit that I have not been blogging because of getting swept by the Brewers. It was depressing. Nothing like getting your draft picks in to cure that!

Mini-Camp

So Mini-Camp is open for business in Pirate City. Most of the team is there. Pedro Alvarez is getting married (or so the rumor goes), but the other major contributors are all there. Let the competition for the 5th starter spot begin.

Since Mini-Camp is under way, I will start previews of each minor league team leading up to the opening of camp. A lot will be speculation, but why not. This year will have something to watch at every level. Some real exciting stuff going on in the Pirate franchise. Sit back and enjoy the snow because baseball will soon be here.

Welcome

Welcome to my year round blog dedicated to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the greatest team on earth. I hope to give some insights and start discussions about America's greatest pasttime, baseball.

I know we have done it. We have set a major league record for the most consecutive losing seasons. But, wait. It is a record for not just MLB, but for all professional sports. That is impressive, but I am still a committed Pirate fan. And I bet the record streak stops next year. I hope you follow me and the Pirates on our journey to the top of the baseball world.