Yesterday the Pirates took down the reigning World Series Champs Philladelphia Phillies. The Pirates took the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a four run inning and never let go. Nyger Morgan was batting leadoff and went one for two. Having Morgan produce in the lead off spot would be huge for the Buccos allowing Nate to hit third and rack up major RBI numbers. Freddy went a solid two for two. Freddy is healthy now, which he wasn't at the beggining of last season and he really needs to duplicate his batting championship performance of two years ago for the Pirates to have a chance of going five hundred. Sad, yes I know. McCutchen, who will soon be named "McClutchen" went 0 for 2. Between McCutchen, Alvarez, and Walker, our top prospects, they were a combined 0 for 5. Solid. Shelby Ford parked a three run homer in the fourth, which was when the Pirates claimed there lead. The Pirates threw nine pitchers, all going one inning. Highlighted by Matt Capps three walk performance. Craig Hansen and Jesse Sanchez combined for 4 k's.
Today against the Red Sox the Pirates pulled out a win on the river(poker reference). The buccos were down 2-nil the whole game till the Pirates went for three runs in the top of the ninth highlighted by Bixler's game winning....reached on by error. Morgan failed to reach base in this game. Walker, Alvarez, McCutchen, and Tabata combined for two hits in five at bats. A hit a piece for Walker and Alvarez. Jason Bay did not play in fear of his return against the Pirates...not. Big Poppy was held hitless in three at bats. Snell started the ball game out. Giving up two unearned runs thanks to Bixler's smooth skills at short. John Lester started for the Sox. We managed two hits of Lester but no runs. Ross Ohlendorf, who came over in the Nady trade had three k's in two innings. Denny Bautista, Sean Burnett, Tyler Yates, and Daniel Haigwood had a k a piece. Yates got the win and Haigwood got the save.
All in all the Pirates took down the past two champs in a row. Someone tell me the last time the Pirates did that.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
1 out of 10's Not Terrible... Right?
Looking ahead to the 2009 season, I'm going to take a trip back through the past 10 1st rounds of drafting for the your Pittsburgh Pirates... Enjoy
O that Clint Johnston?
Sabathia has only been one of the most consistent and dominant pitchers since he entered the league in 2001.
You know that Honus Wagner card..
After finishing 6th in the ROY voting in 2000, Zito only became a 3-Time All-Star and one of the most dominant American League pitchers for the next 6 years.
The 2000 draft was one of the weakest in recent memory when the only true notable player was when Adrian Gonzalez was take 1st overall by Florida. But still Burnett blew his arm out and is at best an average left handed specialist.
JVB lead the nation in home run's his senior year so hey! lets make him a pitcher. In turn he blew out his arm, blew it out again, finally made it back to Pittsburgh in 2008 and was arguably the worst pitcher in the majors.
The Bullington pick is probably the toughest to take just for the fact that 10 players have not only made a name for themselves but have dominated the game.
Should Have Taken- SP: Cole Hamels
World Series MVP
Quentin was the favorite for the A.L. MVP in '08 until he pulled an Oliver Perez and broke his wrist after a strikeout in early September.
Walker was a local kid, and played a position that at the time needed a fill. He just hasn't yet brought anything to the table, and a times looks overmatched.
--The One thats not Griffey
Jay Bruce played in 108 games in his rookie year and although his average wasn't to par with what he is capable of he really showed flashes of being a bonafide superstar.
Lincoln was a top 4 SP coming out of the University of Houston, and with previous arm trouble of course Dave Littlefield thought he'd be a great addition to our farm system. Lincoln still has a chance to be great and in a few years we may see him in the majors but until then the pitchers we passed on were Andrew Miller, Clayton Kershaw, Bryan Morris who is now a Pirate regardless, and...
Lincecum in just his 2nd year in the majors in 2008 was an all-star and won the NL Cy Young. Arguably the best pitcher in baseball.
Never has there been so much fail in one picture
1998- 15th Overall: SP- Clint Johnston
O that Clint Johnston?Isn't it really bad when your 1st round selection does not even have a Wikipedia page?
Should Have Taken: SP- C.C. Sabathia
Sabathia has only been one of the most consistent and dominant pitchers since he entered the league in 2001.
1999- 8th Overall- SP: Bobby Bradley
You know that Honus Wagner card..2nd straight pitcher 2nd straight bust. Bobby Bradley never amounted to anything, and yes he also does not have a Wikipedia.
Should Have Taken- SP: Barry Zito
After finishing 6th in the ROY voting in 2000, Zito only became a 3-Time All-Star and one of the most dominant American League pitchers for the next 6 years.2000- 19th Overall- SP: Sean Burnett
The 2000 draft was one of the weakest in recent memory when the only true notable player was when Adrian Gonzalez was take 1st overall by Florida. But still Burnett blew his arm out and is at best an average left handed specialist.2001-8th Overall- SP: John Van Benschoten
JVB lead the nation in home run's his senior year so hey! lets make him a pitcher. In turn he blew out his arm, blew it out again, finally made it back to Pittsburgh in 2008 and was arguably the worst pitcher in the majors.Should Have Taken- 3B: David Wright
I mean.. need I say much else?
The Bullington pick is probably the toughest to take just for the fact that 10 players have not only made a name for themselves but have dominated the game.
World Series MVP2003- 8th Overall- SP: Paul Maholm
Maholm has been serviceable so far. He was by far our best starter in 2008 and hopefully will be again in 2009.
Maholm has been serviceable so far. He was by far our best starter in 2008 and hopefully will be again in 2009.
Should Have Taken- OF: Carlos Quentin
Quentin was the favorite for the A.L. MVP in '08 until he pulled an Oliver Perez and broke his wrist after a strikeout in early September.
2004- 11th Overall- C/3B: Neil Walker
Walker was a local kid, and played a position that at the time needed a fill. He just hasn't yet brought anything to the table, and a times looks overmatched.
Should Have Taken- SP: Jered Weaver
Weaver in his 3 years of MLB service has not followed his brothers footsteps at all and has gone 35-9 with a 3.71 ERA
Weaver in his 3 years of MLB service has not followed his brothers footsteps at all and has gone 35-9 with a 3.71 ERA2005- 11th Overall- OF: Andrew McCutchen
Now some are going to look at this with the idea that I am trying to say this was a bad pick or something along those lines, and I'm not doing that completely. This will be McCutchen's 4th year in the minors, and we just dont know yet what McCutchen got.
Now some are going to look at this with the idea that I am trying to say this was a bad pick or something along those lines, and I'm not doing that completely. This will be McCutchen's 4th year in the minors, and we just dont know yet what McCutchen got.
Should Have Taken- OF: Jay Bruce
--The One thats not Griffey2006- 4th Overall- SP: Brad Lincoln
Lincoln was a top 4 SP coming out of the University of Houston, and with previous arm trouble of course Dave Littlefield thought he'd be a great addition to our farm system. Lincoln still has a chance to be great and in a few years we may see him in the majors but until then the pitchers we passed on were Andrew Miller, Clayton Kershaw, Bryan Morris who is now a Pirate regardless, and...
Should Have Taken- SP: Tim Lincecum
Lincecum in just his 2nd year in the majors in 2008 was an all-star and won the NL Cy Young. Arguably the best pitcher in baseball.
2007-4th Overall- RP: Daniel Moskos
Never has there been so much fail in one pictureWith a "Can't Miss" prospect sitting on the board at #4, and another 'Potentially great power hitter', the pirates decide to take a relief pitcher out of Clemson. Some may think that Wieters could not have been signed due to agent Scott Boras wanting a $10 Mil. signing bonus, but the owners gave him a free pick regardless of monetary issue. This was thankfully Littlefields last major move as a GM.
Wieters- the "Can't miss prospect", became exactly that. In just 1 full year in the minors has already become a top 2 major league prospect and has showed signs of greatness. He will make the Orioles opening day roster and has to be the front runner for the ROY in the AL.
For his 1st draft as a GM, Huntington struck gold with the Lefty Power hitter out of Vandy. (See Video Below) Regardless of all the contract negotiations, and everything off the field, it truly looks like Alvarez has the chance to be an All-Star calibar player for years to come.
Should Have Taken- C: Matt Wieters
Wieters- the "Can't miss prospect", became exactly that. In just 1 full year in the minors has already become a top 2 major league prospect and has showed signs of greatness. He will make the Orioles opening day roster and has to be the front runner for the ROY in the AL.
2008- 2nd overall- 3B: Pedro Alvarez
For his 1st draft as a GM, Huntington struck gold with the Lefty Power hitter out of Vandy. (See Video Below) Regardless of all the contract negotiations, and everything off the field, it truly looks like Alvarez has the chance to be an All-Star calibar player for years to come.Possible Opening Day Lineup/ Rotation for 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates
1.) N. McLouth
2.) J. Bruce
3.) D. Wright
4.) C. Quentin
5.) M. Wieters
6.) Ad. LaRoche
7.) F. Sanchez
8.) J. Wilson
9.) T. Lincecum
SP- T. Lincecum
SP- C.C. Sabathia
SP- C. Hamels
SP- J. Weaver
SP- B. Zito
2.) J. Bruce
3.) D. Wright
4.) C. Quentin
5.) M. Wieters
6.) Ad. LaRoche
7.) F. Sanchez
8.) J. Wilson
9.) T. Lincecum
SP- T. Lincecum
SP- C.C. Sabathia
SP- C. Hamels
SP- J. Weaver
SP- B. Zito
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Top Prospect in N.L.
-Deerphobia-I eventually settled on Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez as my No. 3 prospect, making him tops on my NL list.Although Alvarez came to camp a little out of shape and with many questions to answer for his previous contract dispute, you have to be excited about this.
McLouth Signs
- Buccos signed All-Star McLouth today to avoid arbitration. McLouth signed through 2011 with a club option for 2012
- Club Option for 2012 is $10.65 Million
- Incentive Bonuses for the total contract could reach a total of $1.25 mil.
With the signing of Doumit, Maholm and now McLouth, it finally seems as if there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but at the end of the day does this really make that big of a difference in the short term?. Realistically, there is little if no chance of us winning for the next few years and so the signing of these three players may sound great at first but when Alvarez, Bryan Morris, Brad Lincoln are all in Pittsburgh in about 3 years is the core of our team even going to be signed then? Would we want these three signed then? These are all questions going into these signings but at the time it may look promising.
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