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| Chad's progressing as the season moves on (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates) |
Rob Zastryzny took the hill in the fifth and gave up a run on a Cutch double and J-Bell rap, although Josh had happy feet and was thrown out at second. Pittsburgh put another mark on the board in the seventh when Starling singled and scored on Mad Max's double. AJ claimed the hill in the eighth and added to the goose egg collection. Dillon Maples took over for Chicago and after a couple of doubles, a couple of walks and a knock, he was yanked for Leonys Martin (he's an outfielder they acquired earlier in the week). As one may assume, the Bucs kept on, Freeser homered and the count climbed to 12-0. Dovydas Neverauskas came out to take it home and he did, after giving up a leadoff double; the Cubs went 1-for-10 w/RISP, and that one hit got a runner thrown out at home.
The kids were alright today - Chet went seven strong, Mad Max, J-Lup and Eli (who just caught his second shutout in three days) had multi-hit performances and Dovy added a zero. The Baby Bucs won't shine every game, of course, but it's time to see what the pipeline's got.
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| Eli has caught two shutouts & a one-run game in his last three starts (photo Pittsburgh Pirates) |
- @BrinkPG's sources report that the Bucs and Clint have signed a four-year contract extension.
- Chad went seven IP, giving up four hits, walking two and whiffing eight (a career high) with 100 pitches.
- Josh Bell's 24th HR is most ever by a switch-hitting NL rookie, passing Chipper Jones who had 23 in 1995.
- The Pirates claimed LHP Jack Leathersich off waivers from the Cubs and optioned him to Indy. The 27-year-old saw some action with the Mets in 2015 and had one outing to forget (he walked four batters in 2/3 IP) with Chicago this year. Pretty typical Pirates claim profile: power arm, lots of K, lots of BB. He was strong this year in AAA after TJ surgery in 2015, so he may be a project who Uncle Ray can get on track.
- Indy won the AAA International League West Division and Altoona won the AA Eastern League West division.
- Cole Tucker was named to the MLB Pipeline Prospect Team of the Week.
Too little, too late, though it's always awesome to knock the crap out of Jake Arrieta. Looks like Hurdle and the front office have finally decided to play some of the kids, which is the right move for this team at this point in time. I think Diaz is the real deal though more of a glove-first guy. Luplow, I dunno. He was just OK throughout most of his minor league career until this season. He doesn't run well and his power appears to be in the high teens to low twenties range, so he doesn't wow you with anything. However, if he can keep hitting for a high average he might end up as a solid starter in right for somebody. I am greatly encouraged by Kuhl's recent work, and Moroff has been much better of late.
ReplyDeleteYah, Will, I'd like to see an evaluation of the kids on the 40-man. I understand they're not the baby '27 Yankees, but it seems the gap between AAA and MLB is getting bigger, so the only way to see what the prospects have got to offer is to try to get them some regular September at-bats/innings instead of the once-a-week during the grind. The Bucs will still have that fourth OF'er hole, 3B maybe (unless they consider S-Rod to be the #1 backup everywhere but C & P), L/R bench balance, LH reliever, and at least depth starters (they have the clock running on the young pitchers; they have to find a spot or start dealing them no matter how much they enjoy hoarding, plus it's hard to imagine them having so few pitching injuries in 2018). So yah, lots of housecleaning chores to work on in the coming weeks.
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