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.
Author Archives: Michael
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