The Pirates didn’t have a Spring Training game on Sunday, but they did have a scrimmage of sorts at LECOM Park.
Maybe the most notable clip or anything to come out of was the two point of views to come out of a matchup between Mike Burrows and Nick Gonzales.
Mike Burrows vs. Nick Gonzales. Pretty sure the second pitch is that new slider. And a reminder that the curve is a weapon too. pic.twitter.com/vuRQKNPAID
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) February 26, 2023
Burrows has one of the best curveballs in the system, and Gonzales has struggled with breaking pitches throughout his pro career.
So, the matchup went almost exactly how you would have expected. Burrows finished off Gonzales with the curveball to get the strikeout.
The Pirates’ 2020 first round pick had two at-bats in Saturday’s Spring Training opener, striking out both times. He had two at-bats on Sunday, according to Jason Mackey, and also struck out twice.
Here’s how today’s sim game looked: Burrows, Priester, Holderman and Selby combined for four innings of no-hit ball, one walk and five strikeouts. Alvarez, Maggi and Gonzales with solid defensive plays. Triolo may have been a double or a single and second on the throw. pic.twitter.com/e5ockVpxSg
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) February 26, 2023
Not the best of starts.
Versatile Endy Rodriguez On Display Once Again
There are so many reasons to like Endy Rodriguez as a prospect. He plays great defense, has hit at every level he’s played, and is incredibly versatile in the field — something we know the Pirates look for.
Since he’s been in the Pirates system, not only has he caught, but also played in left field, second base and first base. He had very limited time at the latter in 2022.
While his path to the majors, at least this season, may be at his natural position of catcher, the Pirates are certainly going to want him to prepare to be usual versatile self, as he was taking some reps at first base again over the weekend.
Endy Rodriguez was playing first base with Carlos Santana and Ji-Man Choi during infield drills Sunday morning at LECOM Park. pic.twitter.com/13AEhtFp6i
— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) February 26, 2023
One of the biggest focuses for the Pirates this offseason was to address the first base position, adding Ji-Man Choi and Carlos Santana to the fold. So while it may not be an immediate need for him this year, the Pirates could use the position as almost a secondary DH spot in the lineup with so many players coming up able to play there.
Both Choi and Santana will be free agents after the season, so there’s a chance both are moved by the trade deadline, opening up a spot that Rodriguez, and others, could fill.
Yerry De Los Santos New Pitch
This past week I talked about the sinker/slider combination from Yerry De Los Santos and how the two pitches worked off of each other. He’s added another pitch to the mix, tossing in a changeup as well.
While pitching out of the bullpen he won’t need to use it too much, the threat of it may mess with hitters timing. Any advantage you can take, you take.
Pirates Prospects Daily
By Tim Williams
**If you’re wondering what is happening with the MLB Regional Sports Networks, including AT&T Sportsnet, Ethan Hullihen has an amazingly thorough breakdown of the entire situation. Take some time today to read through all of this, or just the part where Ethan looks at what it could mean for the Pirates.
**In the latest Pirates DVR, I look at the real value of Austin Hedges’ veteran presence, on display in a video with Henry Davis and Kevin Plawecki.
**Missed yesterday? Anthony broke down Mitch Keller’s debut from the Spring Training opener.
Song of the Day
TODAY’S LINEUP
The Pirates are home today against the Philadelphia Phillies. 1:05 PM start. Game is televised.
Some Bru in the Florida sunshine. pic.twitter.com/IaR3GKj2xd
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) February 27, 2023
The rest of the pitchers scheduled for today are: Wil Crowe, Yohan Ramirez, Kyle Nicolas, Carmen Mlodzinski, Jose Hernandez, Wei-Chieh Huang, Tyler Chatwood and Angel Perdomo.
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.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
Statcast for game 2
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?gamePk=719356
Anyone catch BC’s comments on the telecast……he said there is a competition for the 5th SP and named Keller, Bru, Hill and VV as the starters. Absent is Roansy.
Very interesting…
Positives after two games, Cruz making contact, although not hard contact. Hayes pulling two balls in the air one over the fence, Hernandez looking like a rule5 that could stay, Keller looking like a legit 3 with hints of a two.
Hope certainly doesn’t Spring Eternal in this comment thread.
Don’t make me go all Aaron Rodgers on you guys and spell out R-E-L-A-X!
Over at Pirate City this morning (Monday) and watched part of the scrimmage. Cody Bolton threw against some A+/AA guys and struck out 5 of 6 or 6 of 7 – he struck out a batter on a beautiful offspeed breaking pitch, but they put the runner on base and he struck the next guy out also. Guess they wanted to see Bolton work from the stretch.
He looked very strong overall. Hard to judge velo, but my guess would be mid-90’s on his FB, and he placed it well. Big smiles from the group behind the home plate backstop keeping track of all the numbers.
Impressed with the fielding at SS of 20 year old Venezuelan Javier Rivas and his stroke in BP. Listed as 6’3″ last year, but watching him today, I was thinking more like 6’5″!
Elijah Birdsong also looked very good throwing live BP. Lots of off-balance swings.
Tough recognizing the players because they did not don shirts with names and numbers until after 2 hours of the workouts.
Rivas was 6’6” per the media guide last year
Thank you. I got the 6’3″ out of Baseball Reference on the roster of the 2022 FCL team. But, he is now very big and filled out!
If Bolton is pumping up to 97 again, I’m going to be very excited
Hard to tell, but I hoped to see a review today, because he is a key piece. Hope to see him as a part of the Rotation at AAA, along with Burrows, Priester, and Ortiz.
Need a strike out reliever ASAP, love the sinker on starters, not so much in the pen, one Jared Hughes type and perhaps the long reliever but that should be it.
Good news is Pirates are averaging 7 runs a game, bad new averaging giving up 9, lol.
Both averages will go down. just like a person asked “when will this rain stop?” Answer: always does.
All I need now is a Swags HR. Lets go!
A single. I’ll take it. Now steal all the bases.
Swaggerty shining on defense today
Hot Take: Swaggerty beats out Joe for a spot on the opening day roster (and lineup)
BC say he like the centerfield defense that Swaggerty brings
With reynolds in left some this spring, swags makes much more sense for the roster starting in cf some days plus late inning defensive replacement to spell cutch
also Reynolds now bound to left field?
Oneil 40/40 SZN
Key 30/30 SZN
Mark it down
Isn’t spring wonderful! Hope eternal, and starting out zero-zero. If both those numbers reach fruition, we will be happy bucco fans.
I’m already on record saying Reynolds will have a 5+ WAR season and only be 3rd best position player on team.
So next question would be, what’s your W/L record? lol
162-0 until they ain’t!
If above predictions are correct, then 82-87 wins depending on pitching
If you’re talking three 5+ WAR position players, that’s probably more in 90+ range and the division.
Endy rookie of the year and MVP runner up!
Hopefully he opens up on the OD roster so we get the PPI pick! lol
That’s the kind of ST optimism I’m looking for.
Man chatwood could be done.
Well our bullpen guys from last year are getting crushed.
At least hernandez looked good!
So far my guys; Gonzales, Ramirez are stinking it up. Not going to tell myself is early, just gonna eject off and come back on if they improve.
Im not one that often cares how players look, but brandon marsh badly needs to meet a barber… or a hedge clipper
Ugly first inning so far! Two positives, hedges with two smooth back picks so far, both were close and one erased a runner- his D and mentorship for staff/youngsters very well could outweigh his automatic out. Also, santana looks smooth at first with a big pick off of a cruz ball in the dirt. Should give our infielders much more confidence, especially our tall friend
Santana is a good first baseman. He played DH last year because that fit the Royals and Mariners’ needs, not problems with his glove.
Tough angle but has Burrows lengthened his arm action?
Murph, Cody, and I have been talking about that on the side for a couple weeks after someone tweeted a clip of one of his mound sessions. It definitely looks different.
Thanks for confirming, fellas!
I remember reading this somewhere, though I dont know if it was real or just an observation
Watched the Marlins game yesterday and laughed at the Marlins defense……our defense….
Brubaker already in midseason form
lets go bucs!!!
Couple things early on…
Dude, it’s February 27th and you’re worried about a 2 mph drop in FB velo?
If he’s throwing low 90’s on March 27th, than you have permission to be concerned.
I’m not entirely sure it’s they’re sold on Jack in CF rather than he’s just getting first crack at it.
Lost 2.5mph on his heater as the year wore on in ’22, down to just 94 in September.
Worry about Roansy, was hoping to see more velocity from JTB as well.
where’s JT sitting?
92-94 sitting right in the middle,
That’s generally where he sits. When he’s on, it’s the movement. In particular, vs lefties, he can backdoor his 2 piece really well. looks like it’s going to hit the batter in the hip, but moves right back in the zone.
True, command is more his issue!
Also a little annoying that Roansy immediately settled back into being a two-pitch guy.
Mitch clearly had a plan to work fastball command, almost all he threw in various forms. Roansy reverted right back to trying to slider his way to outs. Not great.
Shortstop
Oneill Cruz…………100%
Chris Owings……….50%
Tucupita Marcano…30%
Liover Peguero………0%
.
Cruz will play SS almost every day. I currently have Owings as the 26th man (13th position player). I don’t like it. But he fits Shelton’s veteranosity profile perfectly. I only project 4 OFs to make the team, but Bae can be the 5th OF if needed. Marcano will have to beat out Owings. Here’s to hoping Peguero is ready to contribute to the MLB team in the 2nd half.
I’m really hoping Owens has to play his way onto the roster.
Vilade is going to go 3-3 with 2 homers.
Oh so close, 0-2 2 Ks!
Interesting pitching lineup today, if you’re interested in the present and/or future bullpen. Perdomo is an intriguing dark horse.
More I’ve read on Perdomo, he’s interested me. The pitching lineup had me at Bru, Mlodzinski, and Nicolas though. Add in Hernandez and Yohan Ramirez, fun day pitching wise, at least for me…
I thought you had to throw strikes to succeed in MLB. Did I miss something?
Starting to jump off the Nick wagon……sad
The Nick Gonzales at bat is just a short clip obviously
I think it also highlights something he does well
Namely, he swings at balls in the zone and passes on those out of the zone
That would seem to suggest he might have good eyes
In the case Burrows beat him three times
It’s still just one out
Same.
I’ve been off for quite awhile. Maybe he does have bad eyes, as some have postulated?
*still early* but, seeing Nicky G still swinging through pitches…
Still early?? He’s been doing that since he as been in the system. 😟😟
I know, I know lol I was saying that more so as still hopeful it’s shaking off rust this spring training. Lest we not sell Burrow short as well.
That’s why I found the whole video hilarious. Burrows does this to so many people you almost wanna give Nicky G a pass BUT also it’s literally the EXACT thing we are worried about. One of those things where you can really force multiple narratives off of one pitch
he looked like he didn’t belong on Saturday, I think his two Ks were on like 8 pitches and if memory serve, a foul tip was the only success he had. I’m really a Nick guy and I defend him as often as I can, but time is running out on that!