Meeting Notes: Rule 5 Draft Action Preceded By A Nice Nap

The Bucs were busy at the meeting, at least during the Rule 5 draft. As far as being sellers or buyers, the FO hasn't made up its mind, which doesn't sound very strategic to us. Again, they're the poster children for paralysis by analysis. But here's what did happen:

• The Pirates took RHP Jordan Milbrath from the Indians in the first round of the Rule 5 draft. Milbrath, a 35th round pick out of Augustana College in 2013, pitched at Class A Lynchburg and Class AA Akron last season. He went 2-1/2.03 ERA with two saves at Class A Lynchburg and in 26-2/3 IP, he struck out 34 and walked 14. At Akron, Milbreth went 3-2/3.90 and two saves. He struck out 29 and walked 11 in 30 innings. The 26-year-old hits 99 with the heater, but in five pro campaigns hasn't advanced past AA.
• The Phillies claimed RHP Nick Burdi from the Twins and flipped him to the Bucs for $500K in international pool money. Burdi was a second round pick in 2014 who has touched triple digits with his fastball; he's also recovering from May TJ surgery and has tossed 20 frames in 2016-17. He'll spend his 25-year-old season on the DL, but is the most highly touted of the day's newcomers if he can just stay off the injury list for a bit.
• The Pirates selected 26-year old RHP Damien Magnifico from the Angels in the AAA draft. He hasn't put up very pretty numbers, but he throws hard (we're beginning to see a trend, lol).
• And finally, they picked up 20-year old C Rafelin Lorenzo from the Tampa Bay Rays. He's played short-season ball for the past three years, but fills an organization need.
• Pittsburgh, btw, got away w/o losing any bodies during the draft.

Josh Harrison 2016 Topps

• The Jays have joined the Mets as clubs with at least some interest in J-Hay.
• As per @Buster_ESPN, Buster Olney has the Giants in gently on Andrew, not much of a surprise after the Dynamic Duo moved on to other teams. They may have to work at a match, tho, as their MiLB pipeline is fairly dry. The overall market is not so robust on Andrew; both the Fish and Cards are moving OF'ers and creating a bit of a jam.
• The Rangers, Mariners, Orioles and Yankees are reported to be looking at Gerrit Cole.
• @Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweeted that the Brewers and Pirates had a Tuesday sit-down. With the Brew Crew looking for pitching and second base help, Haudricourt speculates that Gerrit Cole or Josh Harrison could have been topics of discussion between the two division rivals.
• The Bucs released good glove, bad bat IF Gift Ngoepe earlier in the year and have now replaced him with good glove, bad bat Engelb Vielma after he was waived by the Phils. Vielma is younger at 23 and a switch-hitter, but hit just .206 at AAA last year although he's had more success with the stick in the lower levels. He's a popular kid; so far this year, the Giants claimed him off the Twins, the Phils from the Giants and now the Pirates from the Phils. He's expected to land in Indy as a depth guy.

Engelb Vielma 2017 Team Issue

• Fangraphs let loose Dan Szymborski’s 2018 ZiPS projections for the Buccos. He doesn't foresee a lot of blockbuster Bucco performances.
• RHP Mitch Keller was selected to the Arizona Fall League's All-Prospect squad.
• Bucco giveaway Juan Nicasio signed a two-year/$17M contract with the Seattle Mariners.
• The Marlins released RHP Edinson Volquez, who is still rehabbing back from Tommy John surgery, even though he still has $13M left on his contract.
• C Erik Kratz, who has made a couple of stops in Pittsburgh, reupped with the Yankees.
• The Mariners have signed 1B Matt Hague to minor league deal. He hit .297 with 10 HRs/65 RBI for the Twins' AAA Rochester club last year and has 43 MLB games with Pirates and Blue Jays.

Matt Hague 2012 Topps Chrome

• Jack Morris and Alan Trammel made the Hall of Fame through the Modern Era Committee vote; ex-Buc GM Ted Simmons missed by a vote and OF Dave Parker finished well out of the money.