Category Archives: Prospects

The Lone Lefty – Omar Cruz

When the Pittsburgh Pirates and General Manager made the decision to trade starting pitcher Joe Mugrove, I must admit that I was a little conflicted; and I still might be. Last year before Major League Baseball, and the world for that matter, were shutdown, Gary and myself were sitting at 412 Brewery, enjoying some deliciousContinue reading “The Lone Lefty – Omar Cruz”

Benefitting From Playing Multiple Positions, And Sometimes Multiple Sports

Since he arrived on the scene in November of 2019, Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington has emphasized, and at times, given preference to positional versatility when constructing rosters from PNC to Pirate City. Along with this flexibility, he has also targeted players with pure athleticism in the field and on the base paths, whichContinue reading “Benefitting From Playing Multiple Positions, And Sometimes Multiple Sports”

Leveling Up In The Pirates Minor League System

On paper it appears to be a very simple process, especially after the full Minor League Realignment this past offseason, as a player starts out in Low A-Bradenton, travels north to High A-Greensboro, then even further north-pretty close to Pittsburgh-arriving at Double A-Altoona and finally across the map to Triple A-Indianapolis before eventually arriving atContinue reading “Leveling Up In The Pirates Minor League System”

Pirates Fans Are Anxious About Travis Swaggerty’s Timeline

As the Pittsburgh Pirates Affiliates began to roll out their rosters at the beginning of the month, just ahead of the May The Fourth Be With You Opening Day, I had some questions about Ben Cherington’s choices concerning roster assignments; most notably the decision to start Travis Swaggerty off in AAA. At that point IContinue reading “Pirates Fans Are Anxious About Travis Swaggerty’s Timeline”

Through The Prospect Porthole: September Call-Ups

Yes, I realize that we are less than two weeks into May, but I have already heard mentions of players that we could possibly see in a Pirates uniform at PNC Park by the end of the year; most of the time as a player added to the roster when this season is presumptively overContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: September Call-Ups”

Through The Prospect Porthole: AAA (Formerly Known As The Alternate Site) and The New High A Are Ready To Play

When the AAA-Indianapolis Indians and High A-Greensboro Grasshoppers Rosters were unveiled, I immediately grabbed my phone and asked Siri how long it would take me to get to First National Bank Field. The bad news is that it came out to 6 hours and 55 minutes, on the first leg of a 870 mile roundContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: AAA (Formerly Known As The Alternate Site) and The New High A Are Ready To Play”

Through The Prospect Porthole: Minor League Rosters Are Coming Together, And I Have Some Questions

As the affiliates of the Pittsburgh Pirates began to roll out their Opening Day Rosters on Friday afternoon, many of the prospect placements were really no surprise to those that follow the organization closely. However, there were several that made me do a bit of a double take; where I had to read over theContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: Minor League Rosters Are Coming Together, And I Have Some Questions”

Through The Prospect Porthole: Multiple Moves Made Ahead Of Yesterday’s Doubleheader

After beginning the season batting .083 with 16 strikeouts in only 24 at bats, the opening day starting centerfielder Anthony Alford was regularly discussed as a potential DFA candidate; and this morning, prior to the Pirates first game of a doubleheader in Detroit, the seemingly inevitable finally happened. However, this move did not take placeContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: Multiple Moves Made Ahead Of Yesterday’s Doubleheader”