Five Pirates Thoughts at Five

Opening Day is coming up on Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds at 4:10PM. Good thing too, because Spring Training fatigue has fully taken charge. Yesterday’s contest was a perfect example, losing 8-1 to the Braves while only playing 4 or 5 guys who will be on the MLB roster, 2 of which were relievers who only went an inning.

Debating Some of the Pirates Controversies

It hardly matters the subject, if you cover something, you’re going to see popular debates crop up. Some are just for the day, some last decades but either way, they’re polarizing and once people have decided which side they’re going to defend, good luck chipping them off the wall they’re protecting.

Through The Prospect Porthole: Jose Hernandez Could Break The Rule 5 Mold

3-23-23 By Craig W. Toth (aka @BucsBasement on Twitter) For the most part, whenever a team selects a player in the Major League Portion of the Rule 5 Draft, the instant-and usually correct-reaction is that they are going to try to stash/hide the prospect on the 26-Man in order to gain control of them forContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: Jose Hernandez Could Break The Rule 5 Mold”

Top 5 Pirates Prospects: Altoona Curve

2-21-23 By Craig W. Toth (aka @BucsBasement on Twitter) One of my favorite things to do every summer is load up the family in the mini-van and head across 22-West; on our way to see the Curve take on any number of teams in the Eastern League, inside the Roundhouse. As the mountains appear inContinue reading “Top 5 Pirates Prospects: Altoona Curve”

Five Pirates Thoughts at Five – Last Full Week of Spring Training

It’s the last full week of Spring Training, and some of the roster is really starting to take shape. Today, I’m going to run through some of the biggest questions remaining, where we are, and where I see it going.

Pirates Options in the Outfield

This is a big group of players, and it isn’t even including Endy Rodriguez – who could potentially be used in outfield – or names like Chris Owings and Drew Maggi, who are more likely to play infield but certainly have the capability to man outfield spots. 

Through The Prospect Porthole: Travis Swaggerty’s Last Stand

3-16-23 By Craig W. Toth (aka @BucsBasement on Twitter) Following the 2020 Pandemic Cancelled Minor League Season, the former 1st Round Draft Pick from was given an extremely aggressive assignment by skipping Greensboro and Altoona altogether; landing in Indianapolis to begin 2021. Clearly he he impressed Ben Cherington and Company at the Alternate Site duringContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: Travis Swaggerty’s Last Stand”