The Pirates took on Cal Quantrill on Friday night. Heading into the start, Quantrill had a 6.00 ERA on the road. He had a 3.0 K/9 and a 4.2 BB/9. For an offense that has been struggling and ranks as one of the worst in the game, this was supposed to be a break for the Pirates.
Instead, Quantrill had arguably the best start of his career, and one of his best strikeout results in years. He pitched 7.2 shutout innings, allowing three hits, no walks, and striking out nine. This led to a 3-2 Rockies win.
The expected result, based on his road numbers, would have been five earned runs, 2-3 strikeouts, and 3-4 walks. The fact that Quantrill completely shut down the Pirates offense, at home, and following an off-day, is a new low.
I hesitate to call it rock bottom for this offense, as the Rockies are tossing two more pitchers this weekend who have a road ERA of 5.40 or higher. If the Pirates aren’t actually a bottom-third offense ranking as one of the worst in the league, then these games should get them out of the funk.
I wrote yesterday about how the time to upgrade this offense was during the offseason. The Pirates might be stuck at this point with that they’ve got, and what they’ve got might be one of the worst offenses in the league. If that were the case, then in a battle against the worst pitching staff, they’d still lose. We’ll see how it plays out.
STATCAST HEROES
After Quantrill left the game, Oneil Cruz was able to add two runs with a ninth inning homer. The shot traveled 111.7 MPH, going 433 feet. RHP Kyle Nicolas also brought the gas, averaging 99.2 MPH with his fastball, touching 100.1, and getting three whiffs each on his fastball and slider.
The minor league Statcast Heroes can be found in the nightly Pirates Prospect Watch.
DAILY VIDEO RUNDOWN
The home run from Cruz.
2-run homer for Oneil Cruz! pic.twitter.com/3vuuSlGj1d
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 4, 2024
Jake Lamb is one of the best hitters in Triple-A right now.
Your International League leading hitter: Rake Lamb. pic.twitter.com/mpXIYgqonj
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) May 4, 2024
Eddy Rodriguez picked up two doubles on three hits. This was his single, knocking in two runs.
Eddy Rodriguez is on 🔥🔥🔥
His third hit of the night drives home TWO runs! pic.twitter.com/TzSl0uoFZL
— Bradenton Marauders (@The_Marauders) May 3, 2024
ROSTER MOVES
The Pirates activated catcher Yasmani Grandal off the injured list, optioning Henry Davis to Triple-A.
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
Williams: The Time to Upgrade the Pirates Offense Was During the Offseason
Pirates Prospect Watch: Carlson Reed Throws Five Shutout Without Best Stuff
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TODAY: PIRATES (14-19) VS ROCKIES (8-24)
Game Time: 4:05 PM EDT
Watch: SportsNet-PIT
Listen: KDKA-FM 93.7
Pirates Starter: Jared Jones, RHP (2-3, 3.18)
Rockies Starter: Austin Gomber, LHP (0-2, 4.50)
In the Minors…
- Triple-A: Indianapolis, 6:35 PM – TBD
- Double-A: Altoona, 6:00 PM – LHP Nick Dombkowski
- High-A: Greensboro, 6:30 PM – RHP Alessandro Ercolani
- Single-A: Bradenton, 6:30 PM – LHP Michael Kennedy
- Rookie: FCL Pirates, 10:00 AM – TBD
THIS WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
This week’s featured column for Patreon subscribers looks at the below-average offense of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the idea of replacing hitting coach Andy Haines as a solution.
**Williams: The Pirates Are Severely Lacking on Offense
Jared Jones has been putting up better numbers than any Pirates rookie I can remember for decades. I looked at the early results from the right-hander, who is a Rookie of the Year candidate.
**Jared Jones is Having a Special Start to His MLB Career
The Pirates drafted Henry Davis first overall in 2021, with hopes of getting a power hitting catcher. He’s not hitting for power this year, and grades below-average behind the plate, which might necessitate a change.
**Henry Davis Has Questions on Both Sides of His Game
Paul Skenes is schedule for a two-start week this week, for the first time in his pro career. As the top prospect gets to a regular workload, I look at when he might arrive in the Majors, and how many innings he might throw.
**When Will Paul Skenes Arrive in the Majors?
The Pirates went with Jared Triolo as their starting second baseman out of Spring Training, which was a move that was deserved. After his early results, and early results from Nick Gonzales in Triple-A, they might need to make a change.
**Jared Triolo Looks Like a Major Leaguer, But Not a Starter
Depth is going to be crucial for the 2024 Pirates to have a winning season. They’ve already seen a few players step up to contribute in the Majors. I looked at five depth options who have excelled this year, led by RHP Hunter Stratton.
**Five Depth Options Who Have Excelled For the 2024 Pirates
SONG OF THE DAY
