There are several changes that the Pirates could make before their home stand begins at 6:40 PM on Friday night.
The biggest move would be firing their hitting coach Andy Haines. The offense is in the third year under Haines, and is currently looking like one of the worst groups in the league, with a slump that has fueled a 5-16 stretch for the team.
If the Pirates don’t want to fire Haines, they should definitely shuffle the lineup.
Yasmani Grandal has been rehabbing in Triple-A, and his arrival to the Pirates roster would allow them to send Henry Davis to Triple-A for more work at the plate, and behind the plate.
Nick Gonzales has one game this season where he hasn’t reached base safely, and two games where he doesn’t have a hit. Jared Triolo has an OPS under .600, despite good defense at second base. The Pirates could turn to Gonzales to upgrade the overall position with more offense.
The other move would be parting ways with first baseman Rowdy Tellez and bringing up Jake Lamb from Triple-A. This might be in the same category as firing Haines, where it’s doubtful the Pirates will make such a move at this point in the season.
At the very least, Grandal and Gonzales look like they could shake up the team. The Pirates shouldn’t just do nothing.
DAILY VIDEO RUNDOWN
Billy McKinney homered for Indianapolis.
McKinney McMASHED it. 💣 pic.twitter.com/0LDVFe9enI
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) May 3, 2024
Joe Perez homered in the first game of Altoona’s double header.
A big swing from Joe Perez extends our early lead!
LISTEN: https://t.co/aioWvW3Svf
WATCH: https://t.co/6GP894jPtF pic.twitter.com/HfVo3Pm73m— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) May 2, 2024
Shawn Ross hit his second homer of the week for Greensboro. His homers are always no doubters.
We are on the board!! Shawn Ross HOMER!
Hoppers: 2 | Dash: 6 pic.twitter.com/pKm1l1Ztdd
— Greensboro Grasshoppers (@GSOHoppers) May 3, 2024
Antwone Kelly struck out five tonight. Read about him in the Pirates Prospect Watch.
Career-high five strikeouts for Antwone Kelly! pic.twitter.com/oP3SHnMqaC
— Bradenton Marauders (@The_Marauders) May 2, 2024
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
Williams: Knowledge, Understanding, and the Pirates Issues With Developing Prospects
Pirates Prospect Watch: Two Bradenton Pitchers Combined For a One Hitter
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TODAY: PIRATES (14-18) VS ROCKIES (7-24)
Game Time: 6:40 PM EDT
Watch: SportsNet-PIT
Listen: KDKA-FM 93.7
Pirates Starter: Martin Perez, LHP (1-1, 2.86)
Rockies Starter: Cal Quantrill, RHP (0-3, 5.34)
In the Minors…
- Triple-A: Indianapolis, 7:05 PM – TBD
- Double-A: Altoona, 7:00 PM – RHP Po-Yu Chen (0-1, 7.98)
- High-A: Greensboro, 6:30 PM – RHP Wilber Dotel (1-0, 1.17)
- Saturday Sleepers: Wilber Dotel Off to a Good Start in the Greensboro Rotation
- Single-A: Bradenton, 6:30 PM – RHP Carlson Reed (0-1, 1.72)
- West Virginia Pitcher Carlson Reed is Off to a Great Start With the Pirates
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
