Each time I have thought about writing this blog post, Matthew McConaughey’s character from Dazed and Confused has popped into my head; voicing one of his more familiar catchphrases, “It’d be a lot cooler if you did”. But instead of you, he responds with they; referring to the possibility of a certain number of PiratesContinue reading “Top 5 Pirates Prospects: Speeding Up Or Slowing Down The Process”
Category Archives: Prospects
Through The Prospect Porthole: JC Flowers’ Journey From Centerfielder To Starter
12-28-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @BucsBasement on Twitter) In Ben Cherington’s first draft as General Manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates, he followed his first round choice of Nick Gonzalez by selecting five right handed pitcher in a row. Among them were a two-way high school player, a former middle infielder turned reliever and aContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: JC Flowers’ Journey From Centerfielder To Starter”
Through The Prospect Porthole: Potentially Held Up In Altoona
12-23-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @BucsBasement on Twitter) Recently, the chatter on Pittsburgh Pirates Social Media has been filled with discussions concerning the development of the team’s players; especially when it comes to prospects in the Minor Leagues. Obviously one main reason for this trend is that with the MLB Lockout in place allContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: Potentially Held Up In Altoona”
Top 5 Pirates Prospects: The Sky Is The Limit
12-18-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @BucsBasement on Twitter) One knock on Neil Huntington during his tenure as General Manager in Pittsburgh-with many others that could surely be listed by the Pirates faithful-was his propensity to make deals for Major League ready talent. Of course you could always thrown in the occasional Oneil Cruz acquisitionContinue reading “Top 5 Pirates Prospects: The Sky Is The Limit”
Through The Prospect Porthole: Dariel Lopez Injects Youth Into The Pirates Farm System
12-11-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @BucsBasement on Twitter) When Minor League Baseball finally returned following the cancellation of the 2020 season, the landscape was extremely different from the last time each affiliate took the field. Most noticeably was the fact that some of these teams ceased to exist in their previous forms as theContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: Dariel Lopez Injects Youth Into The Pirates Farm System”
Top 5 Pirates Prospects: Needing to Make The Leap In 2022
12-9-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @BucsBasement on Twitter) Obviously when Pittsburgh Pirates Fans-but in all likelihood, more specifically the ones that pay attention to and/or care about the Minor Leagues-think about the players that need to make the leap/take a step forward, their focus probably falls directly on prospects like Miguel Yajure, Roansy Contreras,Continue reading “Top 5 Pirates Prospects: Needing to Make The Leap In 2022”
Pirates Make 40-Man Moves, Rule 5 Protection for 4 Players
We’ve worried, we’ve arranged, we’ve even argued, and today the Pirates did what they did.
Pirates And Cherington Look To Ride The Waves
11-13-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @bucsbasement on Twitter) As soon as Gary mentioned that he would be going to Florida for a much deserved long weekend away, I immediately felt myself being transported to Madeira Beach; although my feet remained firmly planted in Western Pennsylvania. Each year, at the end of July/beginning of August-forContinue reading “Pirates And Cherington Look To Ride The Waves”
Is The Outfield Depth In The Pirates Organization An Illusion?
11-2-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @bucsbasement on Twitter) Since taking over as the Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager in November of 2019, Ben Cherington’s Open Day Lineups in the outfield have consisted of Bryan Reynolds in Left, Gregory Polanco/Guillermo Heredia in Right and Jarod Dyson/Anthony Alford in Center. In the last game of the 2020Continue reading “Is The Outfield Depth In The Pirates Organization An Illusion?”
The Pirates Minor Leaguers Hold A Key To The Future
10-28-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @bucsbasement on Twitter) For almost as long as I can remember, my eyes have always wandered to the Pirates Minor League System, and everything that it entails; even when the team was competitive in 2013-15. From player performance and projections to coaching techniques and evaluation. All while soaking inContinue reading “The Pirates Minor Leaguers Hold A Key To The Future”
Steel City Pirates 