The once highly touted Chicago Cubs Farm System of the early to mid 2010’s has fallen from grace and is currently ranked in the bottom third of the league in every experts’ opinions, landing at #23 according to MLB Pipeline. I have even seen them as low as 29th on one list. This is hardContinue reading “From The Crows Nest: The Chicago Cubs Farm System”
Monthly Archives: April 2020
Friday Focus – MiLB Contraction is a Huge Story, Lost in a Bigger One.
We talk about this because if we don’t this all happens in the dark, and darkness is where worst things happen. Bring these into the light and see if you can catch some of the roaches scurrying under the fridge.
In Addition to Internal Obstacles, MLB Faces External Blockades for Return
Here in Pennsylvania, Governor Wolf put forth his plan for getting the state back in business. The wording is vague and the details inside are hardly the point. We’ve spent much time on this site and on the podcast talking about MLBs internal struggle to restart operations, but some of their largest stumbling blocks to return could very well be the individual states.
5 Thoughts at Five
As ever, I’m full of questions. You folks have been so great since we launched this column at helping me sort through them. Here we go for another week!
Top O’The Metric To Yinz: Patient at the Plate
Throughout the years certain stats have been considered to be on the forefront or more highly regarded by experts. For the longest time Batting Average, Home Runs and Runs Batted In were thought of as the gold standard for judging a player’s ability, hence the Triple Crown. Now I am not downplaying these stats andContinue reading “Top O’The Metric To Yinz: Patient at the Plate”
For Some, Disaster Equals Opportunity
A suffering country, filled to the brim with people of all types enduring devastation economically on a scale none of us have ever seen, is going to have a very short fuse for the infighting of Millionaires (real or perceived) vs Billionaires (again, real or perceived).
The Path Of A Pittsburgh Pirates Fan
The Seed is Planted: The 1985 Pittsburgh Pirates Children are a finicky lot of characters to say the least. Their favorite foods change week to week, day to day and most times minute to minute, their favorite televisions ebb and flow along with the latest trends and they thrive off of instant gratification, as well asContinue reading “The Path Of A Pittsburgh Pirates Fan”
Prepare for the Shaming – MLB Furloughs are Going to Be a Social Litmus Test
Over the weekend, The Athletic broke the story that Rob Manfred is expected to provide ownership the ability to furlough or reduce the pay of non-playing members of staff in reaction to COVID-19 related suspension of play.
Aramis Ramirez – One Man, Multiple Lessons
How can one man have spent the majority of his career outside of your organization and still be one of the most important figures in its history? I’ve thought about that question a lot recently and I firmly believe those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The trade of Aramis Ramirez to the Chicago Cubs in 2003 is one of those moments worth studying.
Through The Prospect Port Hole: Juan Jerez
After a quick trip back to the states to profile right handed pitching prospect Colin Selby, my attention was drawn back to the Dominican Summer League and the Pirates1 squad. I understand that it is very hard to project the abilities of a 16 or 17 year old kid, but what are you supposed toContinue reading “Through The Prospect Port Hole: Juan Jerez”
Steel City Pirates 