2015 Pittsburgh Pirates Thread

Postby **robbiestoupe** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 12:44 pm

Nothing like gaining 1.5 on a team in one day...

Now I'm rethinking my 4 GB outcome before the All-Star break. Time to get a little greedy!

Postby **LITT** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 12:49 pm

i dont understand whats so remarkable about the players coming out to help. i think it would be a bigger story if they did not. they were standing there and someone was in trouble. i imagine they did what most people would do.
ZOMG WAT GR8 HUMANZ

Postby **Troy Loney** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:44 pm

An encouraging writeup on Cole Tucker from Baseball Prospectus.

Heading into the 2014 amateur draft, Tucker was seen as an overdraft at 24, and many teams felt that he would eventually slide off the shortstop position. After sitting on him for an entire series, there were strong signs that he can handle shortstop defensively.

His footwork and reaction times are currently inconsistent, but this is a developmental aspect that can improve with further repetition. He displays above-average range, smooth hands, and an above-average arm. At the plate, is where Tucker shines. He has innate barrel control from both sides of the plate, and his feel for hitting is solid for a player that just turned 19. While the power has yet to manifest in-game, Tucker displays above-average raw power and could eventually grow into a bat-first shortstop. The overall signs this season have been strong, and the development leads me to believe he will grab a spot on the top 101 heading into the offseason.

For some perspective on him, I looked at how his numbers compare with Carlos Correa. They were both drafted before turning 18, play shortstop and played at low A their first season (Correa was two months younger)

Correa Age 18/19 Low A
AB 450 320/405/467 HR: 9 SB: 10

Tucker Age 18/19 Low A
AB: 242 293/322/376 HR: 2 SB 21

Correa is clearly the superior player, but he looks like another guy in the Trout/Harper mold of instant star. Tucker's switch hitting, speed and contact skills make him a special prospect in his own way compared to Correa, but will never have the power. He could maybe be on a fast track and part of the next wave of position prospects (Meadows, Ramirez & McGuire).

Postby **LITT** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 2:15 pm

innate barrel control

Postby **TheHammer24** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 2:36 pm

How is Pedro this year? His stat line looks good, but fangraphs have him at a replacement-level 0 WAR player.

Postby **Troy Loney** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 2:40 pm

How is Pedro this year? His stat line looks good, but fangraphs have him at a replacement-level 0 WAR player.

Replacement level first baseman sounds about right.

Postby **slappybrown** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 4:14 pm

http://deadspin.com/prayers-up-for-the- ... 1716582643

Postby **DigitalGypsy66** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 4:45 pm

That's tremendous.

Postby **meow** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 7:59 pm

Kang with a gem of a game so far.

Postby **meow** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 8:37 pm

Pedro. Catch. The. Ball.

Postby **columbia** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:26 pm

That was some hot action.

Postby **RonnieFranchise** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:27 pm

Ishikawa magic

Postby **FreeCandy44** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:31 pm

Amazing

Postby **NailedPenguin** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:43 pm

Quackenbush....that's the worst name I've ever heard

Postby **shafnutz05** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 12:55 am

Agree with other posters....if the Pirates are a legit contender, they need to at least split this series. Winning 3 would be incredible, and a sweep would send Pittsburgh into madness. That being said, I am hopefully expecting a split. Loss Thursday, hopefully win Fri-Sat, and an unexpected loss Sun.

Postby **NailedPenguin** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 4:15 am

In the last 3 days the Cardinals were no hit thru 7, and down to their last strike and of course won both games.

Postby **robbiestoupe** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:20 am

Sure, but the Pirates were also behind the 8 ball in every game against the Padres, with minimal offense in the first 6 or so innings, so you can't really complain. I really hope they put up some crooked numbers early against the Cards and not make it close.

Postby **Troy Loney** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:29 am

Agree with other posters....if the Pirates are a legit contender, they need to at least split this series. Winning 3 would be incredible, and a sweep would send Pittsburgh into madness. That being said, I am hopefully expecting a split. Loss Thursday, hopefully win Fri-Sat, and an unexpected loss Sun.

Well, they have a seven game cushion for the wild card, so they're definitely legit. You should probably qualify that statement some more. If they are going to compete with the Cardinals for the best record in baseball, they will need to at least split this four game series. I would think having the second best record 84 games into the season is legit contender.

It's great that they are winning bullpen games that they were losing at the beginning of the season.

Postby **Factorial** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:38 am

Good to see you're coming around TL.

Bucs will take 3 of 4 from the Cards.

Postby **blackjack68** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 9:08 am

Good to see you're coming around TL.

Bucs will take 3 of 4 from the Cards.

Can I hold you to that?

Postby **Dickie Dunn** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 9:09 am

Harrison's timetable for return now set at 7 weeks after having thumb surgery.

Postby **meow** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 9:24 am

Harrison's timetable for return now set at 7 weeks after having thumb surgery.

I'm not too worried about Harrison's absence. Kang is playing well. The only place it hurts is on the base paths.

Postby **willeyeam** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 9:25 am

Harrison's timetable for return now set at 7 weeks after having thumb surgery.
I'm not too worried about Harrison's absence. Kang is playing well. The only place it hurts is on the base paths.

Its the depth. One less bench bat, one more injury closer to Brent Morel coming back

Postby **willeyeam** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 9:26 am

Plus he was really starting to get things together again