Fifth Avenue Forum

These guys suck.

Put a fork in em

They can turn both fringe AAA bums and superstar prospects into league average players using their system

Quick note on glasnow:

In his career, batters have swung at 23 percent of his pitches thrown outside of the zone. As a ray, that number is 33. So that rate is about 43 higher than it was in the NL. What happens when hitters stop swinging at his sht

They can turn both fringe AAA bums and superstar prospects into league average players using their system

This is a good observation.

There are clearly angles with the pitching staff where this is applicable, but I'm just interested in the offensive aspect at the moment.

I think that Marte, Dickerson and Cervelli can fit the category of established veteran guys, not superstars, but consistent offensive performers. Freese too, but he has only shown aptitude when used in a part time role.

Bell and Polanco, two jewels of the system, waffle between looking like superstars, and looking like they don't belong on the major league roster. Everyday outcomes tend to align with how these two are performing at the plate, because as the starting RF and 1B they are manning the positions that MLB lineups tend to depend upon. I feel like the floor on these guys is still for them to be playable as starters, and the ceiling as anchors at the 3 and 4 spots in the lineup. For this iteration of the team to succeed, they really need for their slumping floors to be playable, and that going forward there wont be mid-season debates about whether they need to be demoted.

Right now, Harrison, Mercer and Moran look like league average starters at best. If any of those three go into 2019 with significant roles, we should all be pissed.

Based on Fangraphs WAR, it's pretty obvious that those three are nowhere near average for their position. For 3B with 350+ ABs, Moran is 25 of 26, for qualified SS Mercer is 18 of 25, and for 2B with 300+ ABs Harrison is 26 of 30. Mercer is somehow the least incompetent at his position. I'd be fine with him returning as a backup middle infielder to Kramer and Newman, but as long as Hurdle is running the show we all know Jordy will play until he dies. Moran is terrible at all aspects of his position but he's going to keep getting chances until Hayes is ready.

Moran has at least been demoted to a part time role. I think the worst case scenario is that he platoons with Freese next year, which would then force them to call up Hayes from AAA mid season, whether he is ready or not. The other unfortunate thing is that the presence of Hayes will prevent them from making a significant upgrade to 3B.

I'd say Freese has earned his $6MM option for next season, but given the penny pinching the Pirates do, I'd rather see that money used on obtaining someone who could be a legitimate everyday 3B for a season before handing the role over to Hayes.

This Day in Pirates History:

Buster Olney
‏@Buster_ESPN
16 Aug 2012
A.J. Burnett strikes out Hanley, then screams at him, "Sit the ---- down." Hanley gets fined by the umpire after throwing his bat.

prior to the archer trade, I was under the assumption that the pirates were content to see if someone in the rotation to actually pitch well enough to differentiate themselves. then they traded for archer. I still am assuming that the pirates will be content to see if Kramer or newman will be good enough to play and wont bother finding a FA. Same with 3b. But with their newfound willingness to go externally to add meaningful players, perhaps it will be different this time. Or perhaps not.

Madden back off the Pirates bandwagon. Was a wild and crazy week or so.

Mercer to the DL. Newman in Pittsburgh.

I'm not expecting much.

Free Kevin Kramer.

In standard Hurdle fashion, Hechavarria is starting tonight at SS.

Hech was 0-4 with risp last night. He's due

This team's ability for everyone (specifically the trio of Dickerson, Marte, and Polanco) to get cold at the same time is astounding. August numbers:

Dickerson: 182/191/205/396, 023 ISO, 25.5 K%, 1 XBH, 2 RBI
Marte: 218/246/327/573, 109 ISO, 4 XBH, 6 RBI, 3 for 5 on stolen base attempts
Polanco: 135/193/212/405, 077 ISO, 35.1 K%, 3 XBH, 8 RBI

Jose tabata's career slugging percentage: 377

Colin Moran's 2018 slugging percentage: 387

from neck lips to neck beard, all that changes is the name on the uniform

SRod (eligible to come off DL yesterday) taking batting practice.

If he’s back on the roster before September I quit.

he will have a "setback" for sure

If they send down Newman without playing him for SRod... I'll be done.

altho I would be ok to see him replace newman just for the hell of it

Once again, no Newman in the starting lineup.


Go the **** away Hurdle.

Why the hell is Grilli there?

The Pirates have hit into 6 DP’s.