Welcome to the Pirates Prospects daily video rundown, where we pull some of the top videos of the Pittsburgh Pirates across the internet.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a very deep group of players at the catcher position, from the upper levels, all the way down. Today will feature nothing but catchers.
Henry Davis
The first overall pick in 2021, Davis is in big league camp as a non-roster invite. In the first video he makes really solid contact in a live BP session.
Pirates C prospect works the count to 2-0 off a big leaguer and then…. pic.twitter.com/0cNiIdZCfN
— Florida Prospect Report (@FLProspectPod) February 2, 2023
Next up is Davis facing Chase De Jong in another live BP. He puts another really solid drive against a big league pitcher.
Chase De Jong versus Henry Davis in a live bullpen. Stay until the end. pic.twitter.com/wL6DbI1iFV
— Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) February 18, 2023
Luis Hernandez
Not a well known player in the system, most of Hernandez’s playing time came in the FCL, but did fill in at both Bradenton and Greensboro in 2022.
We’ve seen PIT C prospect Luis Hernandez excel as a framer & thrower. If he can bring some bat he’ll be a force rising through the ranks in their system. Here he is making an early case in Bradenton #power pic.twitter.com/nvkjmNC1KI
— Florida Prospect Report (@FLProspectPod) February 8, 2023
He threw out 38% of would be base stealers last season, he will have to work on the hitting (.520 OPS) to work his way up the ladder.
PITT C prospect Luis Hernandez finishes his round with a laser to left Friday am at camp. Can’t wait for the drills where we see his arm #catcher #hitter pic.twitter.com/8pkX5aPXLe
— Florida Prospect Report (@FLProspectPod) February 3, 2023
Axiel Plaz
He slugged over .700 as a 16-year-old in the DSL last year, and you can see why based off his build.
Pirates low minors backstops are a seriously underrated group. Here’s Axiel Plaz sending some skyward in an am BP #prospects pic.twitter.com/jakcLjCQNJ
— Florida Prospect Report (@FLProspectPod) February 3, 2023
Anthony began writing over 10 years ago, starting a personal blog to cover the 2011 MLB draft, where the Pirates selected first overall. After bouncing around many websites covering hockey, he refocused his attention to baseball, his first love when it comes to sports. He eventually found himself here at Pirates Prospects in late 2021, where he covers the team’s four full season minor league affiliates.
In the words of Gov. Le Petomine “Work work work work work!”
I refuse to get excited by any prospect who hasn’t played in USA, but damn Axel is really making it hard!
I moved the bar to AA, would do it at A+ but since we play at a joke of a park I’ve was left with AA.
I worried that Hank would not make the batting stance adjustment. It’s good to see him giving the pitcher room to miss inside.
Maybe after seeing how Endy blew right by him on the depth chart has caused a fire to be lit. Let’s hope so.
ICYMI…Jim Bowden has Endy and Davis in his Top 5:
Endy Rodriguez
Rodriguez had a breakout season in 2022, displaying elite bat-to-ball skills and quickly developing into one of the game’s best hitting prospects. He has tremendous power from both sides of the plate and projects to be a middle-of-the-order impact bat. The Pirates acquired Rodriguez from the Mets in 2021 via the three-team trade involving Joe Musgrove, and the switch-hitting catcher has catapulted to the top of the Pirates’ prospect rankings, in my view. He’s a main pillar of their rebuild. His baseball IQ stands out. His ability to adjust and his aptitude are special, and he has the necessary leadership skills for the position. He still needs work behind the plate but has shown improvement (As Rob Biertempfel, The Athletic’s Pirates beat writer, recently noted: “In 2021, he had a 17 percent caught-stealing rate at Low-A Bradenton. Last year, that number jumped to 27 percent at High-A Greensboro and 45 percent at Double-A Altoona.”)
Pirates GM Ben Cherington: “Endy can hit with the instincts for what the pitcher is trying to do to him. He can use the whole field and has power to beat outfielders. Defensively, he’s an athlete who keeps getting better. People are drawn to him. He really loves the game.”
Henry Davis
Davis is lauded for his leadership and makeup, and he has the potential to become a middle-of-the-order impact bat. However, he’s dealt with a lot of injuries since being drafted No. 1 in 2021, including an oblique strain and multiple left wrist injuries. He needs to improve defensively, especially with pitch framing, footwork and containing the running game. He is stiff in his actions behind the plate and his slow feet take away from his plus-plus arm strength. Offensively, he has solid pitch recognition and uses the whole field with line-drive and loft power. He sits right on top of the plate, like Yankeesfirst baseman Anthony Rizzo, which has led to too many hit-by-pitches. Arm strength and power are his best tools.
Pirates GM Ben Cherington: “Henry recognizes pitches, has power and is a tough at-bat. Defensively, he can block and throw and works really hard on his preparation with pitchers. He wants to be great.”
Endy has tremendous power?.?…but FG said average. I think FG is right in this case!
Can they both be wrong?
I think Cruz has great power. I thought Neil Walker had average power. I think Endy could fall somewhere between them.
If Endy has Neil’s power we have a perennial All Star.
Walker with a career .426 Slugging%. High of .476. 12-16 HR annually, with two outlier seasons of 23 HR’s.
I’m hoping for a bit more from Endy. Certainly not drastically more though.
Depends. The rest of Endy’s offensive profile is better at this stage than Walker. Similar K rates in the minors, but Endy walked far more. And of course, he hit like blazes at every stop while Walker was far more up and down.
I guess I’m surprised that Davis is not wearing armor, then again I’m sure that he knows that our pitchers are not gonna hit him, therefore he’s gonna be very comfortable at the plate.
first time I have seen him wear a batting glove
Late arrival to camp Rick Vaughn questions this logic.
Catchers always work hard, and especially at ST where everybody with an arm needs to throw a Bullpen. It is why I can see having an extra hand in Plawecki available.
Axiel Plaz is a man! At age 17 he looks a lot bigger than 5’11” 165? Gotta like Hernandez also.
But, Henry Davis may not want to wait too long at AAA. Loved the drive to left, but liked more seeing him get into that drive to right center. What I did see is that he is not up on top of the plate. That will take a little adjustment, but if he can hit like that to RC, he does not need to get up on the plate and try to turn on it. Great if he learns that now and not have to adjust later.
Thank you guys for the video.
I wonder if he made the adjustment on his own, or was told to do it by Pirates staff?