Michael

Unlocking the “Ke” to Success

Hayes is locked up under contract longer than anyone else on this team. Any chance the Pirates have of making playoffs and being competitive starts and ends with him. A lot of things will have to go right.

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.

Assessing the Southpaw Situation

3-10-23 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter The old adage of “never having enough arms” is never more true than when your only proven left-handed relief pitcher goes down with an injury in spring training. Jarlin Garcia, signed this past off-season, appears slated to start the season on the injured list. In recentContinue reading “Assessing the Southpaw Situation”

Digging into Burrows

He has never appeared on a top 100 prospects list. He only just cracked the top ten on Pirates lists this past year. But unlike many other young pitchers, Burrows has above-average control. And now, he potentially could have 4 above-average pitches.

Luis Ortiz: The Young Flamethrower

Ortiz is technically in competition this spring for a rotation spot, all but assured a few months ago, but less likely now with the off-season additions of free agents Rich Hill and Vince Velasquez.

Making a Case For Johan Oviedo

2-22-23 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter With Spring Training off and running, I decided to dive into the roster and try to determine who could be a breakout player in 2023. I kept coming back to one name, someone who I saw sitting with Rich Hill last week and appearing to beContinue reading “Making a Case For Johan Oviedo”

NL Central Divisional Balance Breakdown

Jim Bowden recently created a stir by posting potential league/divisional changes as a result of adding two new teams. This would relocate the Pirates to the “Mid-Atlantic” division, along with the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals and the expansion Charlotte baseball team.

Pirates Positional Improvement

There’s been a lot of talk about the Pirates off-season and whether or not they’ve sufficiently improved a team which has lost 100+ games the previous two seasons. The team had some clear holes to fill and places where they could improve so I did a position-by-position breakdown of 2022 against the expected opening day roster for 2023, as well as discussing some depth pieces for the roster spots