OK, All Star day has come and gone; the AL will be the home club for the World Series by virtue of its 3-0 win. Here's how your Pittsburgh Pirates did:
- Cutch got in as a pinch runner in the fourth and stole second (Tony Pena in 1982 was the last Buc with an ASG swipe). His two at bats both ended up swinging Ks. He also made a very nice grab to keep teammate Jason Grilli's ASG ERA at 0.00.
- Jason Grilli came on in the ninth. He gave up a triple to Prince Fielder on a bloop that got by Carlos Gomez, but got a pair of grounders and an All-Star catch from Cutch to strand him. Grilli also got introduced as Mark Melancon when he took the hill before the PA guy quickly corrected himself. Jason was popular; he was featured in a Fox interview during the game.
- Pedro hit six bombs in the Home Run Derby, not enough to advance. He came on to play third in the eighth inning and got to bat once, popping out to end the game.
- Mark Melancon warmed up, but as a late replacement didn't get any game time.
- Jeff Locke wasn't on the active roster because of a tight back.
- In the Futures game, Gregory Polanco popped out and walked while Dilson Herrera lined out softly to second.
Bucco news:
- The schedule picks up again Friday, when Pittsburgh visits Cincinnati at GABP for a three game set. Francisco Liriano opens against Mike Leake.
- The Bucs are supposed to be in on Matt Garza, though we personally downplay their interest as the Cubs want a Top 50 Prospect +1 for a 10-week rental, which is a pretty steep price to pay for a mid-rotation guy. And remember this about trade rumors: who knew the Bucs were on Derrek Lee, Ryan Ludwick, Wandy Rodriguez, Travis Snider, Gaby Sanchez, etc. before the deals were announced?
- The upcoming (7/22) Sports Illustrated cover boy? Jason Grilli, featured in the “Strangest but Truest Story of the Summer.” He's the is the first Pirate since Barry Bonds in 1992 to be featured on the cover.
- C Tony Sanchez, LHP Kris Johnson and RHP Vic Black will rep Indy in tonight's International League ASG. Sanchez is the starting catcher.
- Marc Hulet of Fangraphs has his Mid-Season Top Fifty Prospects list posted. Pirate pups are RHP Jameson Taillon (#7), OF Gregory Polanco (#19), IF Alen Hansen (#27) and RHP Tyler Glasnow (#42).
It will be interesting to see how the front office maneuvers this year, with a playoff berth legitimately on the line. Right off the bat, I would say that the acquisition of either a 1B or a RF (if not both) is a certainty. Beyond that, I think Michael McKenry will either be traded or demoted and that Brandon Inge is headed for DFA.
ReplyDeleteThat covers the basics pretty well, Will. I'm curious to see what NH does. I don't think he goes all out this year for a big gun; his only long-term holes seem to be at first and SS. And given the dearth at short, they may give Jordy a little more rope; look how long they stuck with Cedeno.
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