Where Do Pirates Go After Another San Diego Sweep?

8/15/24 By Drew Cagle – @cagles_bagels on X

Another sweep at the hands of the San Diego Padres, and now a 10 game losing streak, leaves the Pirates at a less-than-ideal 56-64 mark. A pair of pitchers’ duels went San Diego’s way on Monday and Tuesday, then Mitch Keller was touched up for 8 runs on Wednesday afternoon. Instead of breaking down the final series of the Pirates’ west coast road trip, I’ve decided to discuss some bigger-picture questions facing the team with 42 games left to play.

What should be done with Paul Skenes and Jared Jones? Should they be shut down, with the team’s playoff hopes all but over?

I’ve seen this narrative going around, that once the Pirates “meaningful games” are done being played, that Skenes and Jones should be essentially put in bubble wrap, not to pitch again for the year. While I understand the sentiment, I think that it could harm two of your prized young arms.

Skenes is still transitioning from hitting to pitching, you can argue. Jones is coming off of a lat injury that’s sidelined him for over a month. Both of them are going to be asked to be workhorses in 2025, a year that could be a crucial step in the franchise’s quest back for postseason success. Getting them used to pitching deep into an MLB season is something I’d like them both to get used to now, instead of in a postseason push next season.

There’s a lot of “blame pie” to hand out for the situation that the team is in. Who should receive the largest piece of that pie?

For me, it’s Derek Shelton. Now, don’t hear what I’m not saying. I don’t think he’s the only one who hasn’t performed up to par this year. Far from it. But in my opinion, as the manager he has to take the most blame. A ten-game losing streak coming at the worst time shouldn’t be brushed aside. 2025 will be a prove-it year for Shelton and the Pirates, no doubt, with a playoff spot as the firm goal. It’s up to him and the organization to reach that goal.

Should we see young players like Nick Yorke, Billy Cook, Braxton Ashcraft, or Mike Burrows in August and September?

Absolutely. I’d love to see Ashcraft, Burrows, or even Bubba Chandler receive starts in the final weeks of the season. If you’re a proponent of limiting Skenes or Jones’ innings, maybe that’s a strategy that you use to both space out their starts, as well as give the youngsters experience.

Yorke could be used as a trial-run type of outfielder (likely center field), as well as Cook. Now, I’m not asking for players like Bryan Reynolds, Ke’Bryan Hayes, or Isiah Kiner-Falefa be relegated to starting two or three times a week, but I’d like to start Yorke or Cook 1-2 times per week, at minimum. See what they can contribute to the organization at the highest level.

What about Henry Davis and Jack Suwinski? Will they return this season? What’s the big-picture outlook for their Pirates tenures?

I’m not writing off either Davis or Suwinski as productive MLB position players, and you shouldn’t either. The two have proved to be Four-A players so far, but I still want to see them up with the big league club to close out the season. Let’s face it: Pittsburgh’s postseason chances are extremely unlikely. If I’m Ben Cherington, that means I’m in information collection mode.

Can Davis bounce back from a poor start to the season? Is Suwinski capable of playing an average center field in addition to his power? Those are just two questions that I need to gather more information on for the rest of the year.

Is calling up either guy a sexy move to make? Absolutely not.

But the worst-case scenario for the end of this Pirates season is not only falling short of the playoffs, but entering a pivotal 2025 campaign unsure about multiple pieces that you’ve earmarked as cornerstone players. Let’s hope the Pirates don’t let that materialize.