A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to sit down with the Pirates Fifth Round Pick from the 2020 MLB June Amateur Draft, Logan Hoffman, on a lazy Sunday afternoon. As I have become more familiar with the decisions that players make concerning following the Junior College path to the majors, it hasContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: A JUCO Bandit”
Author Archives: Craig W. Toth
Recognizing RichRod’s Trade Value
As the 2020 Trade Deadline approached, only a little over a month into the 60 game season and with less than a full month to go, Pittsburgh Pirates Reliever Richard Rodriguez was discussed as one of the potential trade pieces for General Manager Ben Cherington. After giving up what turned out to be the gameContinue reading “Recognizing RichRod’s Trade Value”
Jacob Stallings Is The Top Option (Currently), But Is He The Answer?
The question as to whether or not Jacob Stallings is the answer at the catching position has been asked by Pittsburgh Pirates fans, bloggers, writers and media members on a regular basis for almost a year now; ever since Elias Diaz was non-tendered at the December 2nd deadline this past off-season. At the time thisContinue reading “Jacob Stallings Is The Top Option (Currently), But Is He The Answer?”
Through The Prospect Porthole: A Year Without Minor League Baseball
This past weekend I had the privilege of speaking with several members of the Pittsburgh Pirates 2020 Draft and UDFA Class, all of whom are currently participating in the Instructional League at the Pirates Spring Training Facilitates in Bradenton, Florida. As each interview progressed I always found myself coming around to their individual draft experienceContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: A Year Without Minor League Baseball”
Pirates Youth Movement: Top Prospects Highlight Instructional League Roster
It goes without saying that this spring and summer was full of disappointments for Pirates fans and those within the Pittsburgh organization; from the Front Office, all the way down to the most recently drafted and acquired players. Much of this goes beyond the 19-41 record, accumulating injuries and underwhelming individual performances on the bigContinue reading “Pirates Youth Movement: Top Prospects Highlight Instructional League Roster”
The Pirates Rule 5 Protection Plan
Whenever the Rule 5 Draft is brought up to Pirates Fans it’s almost a guarantee that you will hear about how Pittsburgh acquired “The Great One” Roberto Clemente in 1954, even though the Dodgers tried, unsuccessfully” to hide him in Montreal. Now we all know that a move like this one is extremely unlikely; especiallyContinue reading “The Pirates Rule 5 Protection Plan”
The Pirates Arbitration Overload
The Major League Baseball Playoffs are in full swing, but for the Pittsburgh Pirates and a handful of other ball clubs, the off-season has already begun. Setting lineups, in game decisions and the often revolving door to and from the alternate site in Altoona are all distant memories. Now some true tests of the PiratesContinue reading “The Pirates Arbitration Overload”
Rewrite The Script
As I sat down to watch the MLB Playoffs over the past week or so as a fan of game, not just the Pittsburgh Pirates, I was inundated with catchphrases, rallying cries, alternative nicknames and hashtags for the teams that were left chasing a very unique World Series Championship. #ChangeTheGame for the White Sox, #FlipTheScriptContinue reading “Rewrite The Script”
Pirates Top Five Prospect Edition: A Way Too Early Projection Of The 26 Man Roster
The dust hasn’t completely settled from the Pirates disappointing 19-41 season and we are still about a month away from decisions concerning options and qualifying offers for arbitration, as well as the beginning of free agency, yet I can’t stop myself from thinking about the composition of Pittsburgh Opening Day Roster for 2021; especially theContinue reading “Pirates Top Five Prospect Edition: A Way Too Early Projection Of The 26 Man Roster”
Pirates Are In The Business Of Identifying Talent and Value, As Well As A Lack Thereof
Baseball is team sport; always has been and always will be. And as a team sport, a ball club can only be as good as their weakest link or in the Pirates case this year, links and one great player, no matter the position, can’t carry his team to a World Series alone. A startingContinue reading “Pirates Are In The Business Of Identifying Talent and Value, As Well As A Lack Thereof”
Steel City Pirates 