2010 Pirates

[M11x]

Re: 2010 Pirates

Starting pitching might hinder the young bucs growth for some time. Obviously, Morton and Ohlendorf need to progress and develop consistency as the most likely starters to make the jump to Pittsburgh in the future are probably still a season plus away. Karstens has pitched well, compared to other Pirate starters, but he should probably be a mid reliever instead of a starter on the MLB level. How about JR displaying that he has a pulse today and possibly rallying the club after getting tossed...

[ChaseB]

Re: 2010 Pirates

Starting pitching might hinder the young bucs growth for some time. Obviously, Morton and Ohlendorf need to progress and develop consistency as the most likely starters to make the jump to Pittsburgh in the future are probably still a season plus away. Karstens has pitched well, compared to other Pirate starters, but he should probably be a mid reliever instead of a starter on the MLB level. How about JR displaying that he has a pulse today and possibly rallying the club after getting tossed...

I really do think 1-2 guys from that Altoona rotation will make it and be solid contributors. The bigger issue is the lack of IMPACT starting pitching at the upper levels. I think there are still some impact relievers and potential hitters who can rise through the system quickly, but the starting pitching that could be special is all far away.

I don't buy JR rallying the club by getting tossed since it's always been reported that he'll yell at the club -- just doesn't do it much on the field because he thinks it's stupid and unprofessional (and it is even if the fans think it helps).

[M11x]

Re: 2010 Pirates

I really do think 1-2 guys from that Altoona rotation will make it and be solid contributors. The bigger issue is the lack of IMPACT starting pitching at the upper levels. I think there are still some impact relievers and potential hitters who can rise through the system quickly, but the starting pitching that could be special is all far away.

I don't buy JR rallying the club by getting tossed since it's always been reported that he'll yell at the club -- just doesn't do it much on the field because he thinks it's stupid and unprofessional (and it is even if the fans think it helps).

This might be the perile that Russell anticipates. I guess it seems highlighted that he changed his behavior after Coonelly's comments regarding his extension and the current state of the team.

I like both Alderson and Owens but I'm not sure about Alderson. He shows flashes but currently lacks any kind of consistency. Other than those two, maybe Bryan Morris and then we wait.

[MizzyMike05]

Re: 2010 Pirates

I agree with pretty much everything you guys have to say. Our starting pitching doesn't look too good from the MLB level down to the A level. We really only have a few good prospects starting pitching wise, those being Owens and Morris. I hope Alderson can figure it out because I really like him and I have been following him for a bit now. He needs to re-discover his velocity, and develop some consistency. Hunter Strickland looks alright too, but he is probably years away from the MLB level.

We do have some good hitters in the system, but it just stinks that we have pretty much no middle infield prospect in the system. Hopefully by years end, Tony Sanchez is at the AAA level. I keep hearing that the Pirates are going to trade Ryan Doumit at the deadline, but i just don't think that's going to happen. He will probably be on our team until Tony Sanchez reaches the MLB level, and proves he can start almost everyday at catcher.

[mjb2124]

Re: 2010 Pirates

Hopefully by years end, Tony Sanchez is at the AAA level.

I believe he was just promoted to High A ball so there's very little chance of that happening. I'd say "No Chance", but you never know.

[ChaseB]

Re: 2010 Pirates

This might be the perile that Russell anticipates. I guess it seems highlighted that he changed his behavior after Coonelly's comments regarding his extension and the current state of the team.

I like both Alderson and Owens but I'm not sure about Alderson. He shows flashes but currently lacks any kind of consistency. Other than those two, maybe Bryan Morris and then we wait.

This is a lost year for Alderson because he changed his mechanics and is still looking for his lost velocity. He's so young for the Double-A level that it's not the worst thing if he doesn't progress right away either. Next year will be the best time to see if he's progressing at all.

I agree with pretty much everything you guys have to say. Our starting pitching doesn't look too good from the MLB level down to the A level. We really only have a few good prospects starting pitching wise, those being Owens and Morris. I hope Alderson can figure it out because I really like him and I have been following him for a bit now. He needs to re-discover his velocity, and develop some consistency. Hunter Strickland looks alright too, but he is probably years away from the MLB level.

We do have some good hitters in the system, but it just stinks that we have pretty much no middle infield prospect in the system. Hopefully by years end, Tony Sanchez is at the AAA level. I keep hearing that the Pirates are going to trade Ryan Doumit at the deadline, but i just don't think that's going to happen. He will probably be on our team until Tony Sanchez reaches the MLB level, and proves he can start almost everyday at catcher.

If there is a time to trade Doumit, the time is now. He's healthy, still producing well for a catcher, and he has a friendly contract. At the same time, his catching is getting worse and his value can only decrease with time.

As for the Double-A rotation, I think Morris could be an elite guy, so I guess I should retract my earlier statement. I also think Justin Wilson has the next best chance to be an MLB-caliber SP -- before even Owens. He's averaging a ton of strikeouts, has his walks under control, and he's more developed at this point than Owens. That last point is based on Owens adding a new pitch to his repertoire this year -- a two-seam fastball -- while Wilson is just refining pitches (mainly his changeup). Owens will probably be at Double-A most of the year because at High-A he also refined a pitch and was there most of the year even while dominating the level. Owens is also a control pitcher, which usually means you want to take them slowly level by level if possible.

I believe he was just promoted to High A ball so there's very little chance of that happening. I'd say "No Chance", but you never know.

Sanchez started the year at High-A (and the playoffs last year) so the thought was he would move to Double-A this summer -- similar to Pedro Alvarez the year before. His injury has set him back a bit, but the injury must not be too serious since he's still catching.

[M11x]

Re: 2010 Pirates

Gorkys Hernandez and Bryan Morris have been selected to the Futures game. It's good to see Morris selected but I'm kinda surprised with Hernandez. It looks like his fading hype got him there over what he has done so far. I'd love to see him succeed but he might instead turn out to be like another former Atlanta future star, Brandon Jones, currently on the Bucs 40 man.

The minor league system lost a few young players to injuries for most likely, the rest of the season. Brock Holt (SS) and Hunter Strickland (RHP). Also, Tony Sanchez might be out for the season with surgery after fracturing his jaw this week.

[ChaseB]

Re: 2010 Pirates

Gorkys Hernandez and Bryan Morris have been selected to the Futures game. It's good to see Morris selected but I'm kinda surprised with Hernandez. It looks like his fading hype got him there over what he has done so far. I'd love to see him succeed but he might instead turn out to be like another former Atlanta future star, Brandon Jones, currently on the Bucs 40 man.

The minor league system lost a few young players to injuries for most likely, the rest of the season. Brock Holt (SS) and Hunter Strickland (RHP). Also, Tony Sanchez might be out for the season with surgery after fracturing his jaw this week.

Hadn't heard that Sanchez was being replaced by Morris on the Futures team, but it's good to hear. Gorkys has gone to the game a few years now, and he is hitting much better as of late so that may explain it. In addition, generally they try to send one international guy and one US guy -- Marte probably would have been the pick had he not gotten hurt earlier in the year.

[M11x]

Re: 2010 Pirates

After reading your comment Chase, I looked again and realized that what I read was speculation and not an official announcement regarding Morris to the Futures team.

[BurghFan]

Re: 2010 Pirates

This is just painful to watch. The Pirates are 4-17 this month and are now 25-48 on the season. 18th straight losing season here we come. And it's looking more and more like Alvarez needs to go back down to AAA and work on his hitting. The guy is striking out in roughly half of his at bats. Even when the Pirates as a team are hitting, the pitching has just been terrible. They blew a 5-1 lead last night in losing 6-5.

[ChaseB]

Re: 2010 Pirates

This is just painful to watch. The Pirates are 4-17 this month and are now 25-48 on the season. 18th straight losing season here we come. And it's looking more and more like Alvarez needs to go back down to AAA and work on his hitting. The guy is striking out in roughly half of his at bats. Even when the Pirates as a team are hitting, the pitching has just been terrible. They blew a 5-1 lead last night in losing 6-5.

Alvarez has initially struggled at each level, so you just need to deal with the early struggles -- fans can't have it both ways where they want the young guys to be called up but then want them sent down when they don't perform right away. Power sluggers, more than other types, generally will go through more struggles than other players as well because of the contact rates usually tied to them.

[ChaseB]

Re: 2010 Pirates

After reading your comment Chase, I looked again and realized that what I read was speculation and not an official announcement regarding Morris to the Futures team.

I mean he would certainly be deserving of it the way he's bounced back this year -- and generally high-round picks also get focused on for the Futures Game -- but yeah I hadn't officially seen anything.

[BurghFan]

Re: 2010 Pirates

Alvarez has initially struggled at each level, so you just need to deal with the early struggles -- fans can't have it both ways where they want the young guys to be called up but then want them sent down when they don't perform right away. Power sluggers, more than other types, generally will go through more struggles than other players as well because of the contact rates usually tied to them.

Yeah, I guess you're right. I went and looked at A-Rod's stats and for the 17 games he played for the Mariners in '94, his batting numbers weren't much better than Alvarezes (20 SO in 54 AB).

In other news, looks like Dan McCutchen is getting another chance as he is scheduled to start tonight while Everland has been sent down.

[ChaseB]

Re: 2010 Pirates

Yeah, I guess you're right. I went and looked at A-Rod's stats and for the 17 games he played for the Mariners in '94, his batting numbers weren't much better than Alvarezes (20 SO in 54 AB).

In other news, looks like Dan McCutchen is getting another chance as he is scheduled to start tonight while Everland has been sent down.

I think Bonds hit like .220 his first year in Pittsburgh as well.

[loaf31]

Re: 2010 Pirates

The Buccos are only 2 games better than the Orioles for the worst overall record.

Here is hoping that we can finish dead last and draft that Anthony Rendon kid from Rice next year.