2015 Pittsburgh Pirates Thread

Postby **columbia** » Thu May 28, 2015 10:42 am

Nice dig on the Hoopies.

Postby **willeyeam** » Thu May 28, 2015 10:49 am

Had to

Postby **ExPatriatePen** » Thu May 28, 2015 12:06 pm

After 1990 or so, I started to lose interest. I have to admit, I'm now a bandwagon fan. I just hate getting my hopes up and having them dashed every year. If that's what I wanted I'd be WVU fan in 2007
So, should I get on the bandwagon or direct my attention elsewhere?
Fixed for you.

They made the playoffs the last 2 years and look to only be getting better.

"Every year" isnt one game

Maybe a better fix would be Pitt Basketball.

OK... Let's change the subject back to the Bucs, I don't want to offend any of the ultra sensitive Panther fans here...

I have followed the Bucs the last couple of years. But I'll admit to not paying attention until after the All-Star break because I didn't want to get disappointed again (I'd had enough of that over the last two decades).

Are those of you who follow the Bucs closely saying thaT a reasonable person could expect them to still be "in the hunt" in late September? If so, I should start paying closer attention.

Postby **Troy Loney** » Thu May 28, 2015 1:02 pm

Well assuming that no individual has more clairvoyance than the next. We can go ahead and look at objective data that wilyeam stated (two consecutive postseason appearances) and the current state (two games out of the WC and 3rd best run differential in the NL). And then reasonably conclude that they are in the hunt, have been in the hunt, and currently are in the hunt.

But it seems as though you are looking for assurances. So in that case, yes, the pirates are going to win the world series in 2015.

Postby **count2infinity** » Thu May 28, 2015 1:08 pm

Buster Olney picked the buccos to win the world series, so they've got the pieces there that can be competitive into September and October. Will they? Who knows.

Postby **Freddy Rumsen** » Thu May 28, 2015 3:22 pm

I think the Pirates will have to add a Starting Pitching arm at the deadline given the injuries to Tallion, Cumpton, and Kingham.

I also believe the Cubs will 2011/2012 Pirates this year and at some point the injuries the Cardinals have been hit with (most recently Matt Adams) will catch up.

The Pirates will be fine in the long run and will make the playoffs again, this time as a division winner.

Postby **Freddy Rumsen** » Thu May 28, 2015 3:50 pm

Looks like we dodged a bullet when he didn't sign

John Dreker ‏@JohnDreker 32s32 seconds ago
Mark Appel has a 6.03 ERA & 1.72 WHIP in AA this yr & 5.96 ERA in 155.2 IP in 3 yrs.

Postby **columbia** » Thu May 28, 2015 3:52 pm

Who did they end up drafting with that compensation pick?

Postby **robbiestoupe** » Thu May 28, 2015 3:53 pm

Austin Meadows

Postby **Troy Loney** » Thu May 28, 2015 3:57 pm

Who did they end up drafting with that compensation pick?

Austin Meadows.

Here's a list of guys taken within the 11 picks after the Pirates took Appel in 2012:

Andrew Heaney, Addison Russell, Lucas Gioloto, Corey Seager and Michael Wacha.

I would take Meadows over Appel right now...Appel's bad decision saved the Pirates from themselves, but they never should have drafted him in the first place.

Postby **columbia** » Thu May 28, 2015 3:59 pm

I see that Meadows is showing up on some "top prospects" lists.

Postby **willeyeam** » Thu May 28, 2015 4:06 pm

Giolito would have been awesome but he had big arm issues going into the draft

Postby **robbiestoupe** » Thu May 28, 2015 4:14 pm

I would take Meadows over Appel right now...Appel's bad decision saved the Pirates from themselves, but they never should have drafted him in the first place.

Is this said in hindsight, or did you really think the Pirates should have passed on Appel because he wouldn't turn out to be a major league ball player? Because I still think the risk was worth it at the time. If he signed, there was a very good chance he was going to be an ace in the Pirate's future. If not, they banked the extra slot money for hard to sign high schoolers in the later rounds, plus get the extra pick the next year.

Postby **Troy Loney** » Thu May 28, 2015 4:22 pm

I think their success in getting Josh Bell to sign the year before made them switch their draft strategy on the fly when Appel fell. On a going forward basis, I just want to be certain that they are focusing on the best players and not the ones that are valuing themselves the highest on draft day.

There's definitely no indication that they are doing that anymore, and instead are searching for other ways of generating value from their draft picks...but in the end, I still consider the Appel situation a front office mistake.

Postby **robbiestoupe** » Thu May 28, 2015 4:28 pm

Eh I disagree, but that's fine. I think they made the most of the situation. Remember, the Appel draft was the first year of the new drafting rules. So they couldn't pull a Bell pick again, lest they give up 2 first round picks and a boatload of cash.

Speaking of draft, I really haven't followed what's out there for this year. Is it considered a strong or weak class? It's so hard to get into the baseball draft, as it's very rare for players to show any impact until at least 4-5 years down the road.

Postby **Freddy Rumsen** » Thu May 28, 2015 4:46 pm

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2015/5/21/863 ... ke-nikorak

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2015/5/21/863 ... -ponce-joe

Couple draft articles

Postby **Freddy Rumsen** » Thu May 28, 2015 8:10 pm

Another

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2015/5/28/868 ... n-new-mock

Postby **Freddy Rumsen** » Thu May 28, 2015 10:31 pm

Kang....Wow.

Korean call of HR

http://kammm.megaplug.kr/GG/g.mp4

Postby **columbia** » Thu May 28, 2015 10:52 pm

He just destroyed that ball.

Postby **Freddy Rumsen** » Thu May 28, 2015 11:02 pm

Polanco and Marte both now have murdered baseballs. #killingkennedy

Postby **Dickie Dunn** » Thu May 28, 2015 11:08 pm

Ian Kennedy really sucks.

Postby **Freddy Rumsen** » Thu May 28, 2015 11:15 pm

"Birds are dinosaurs that made it." -- Bob Walk

Postby **FreeCandy44** » Thu May 28, 2015 11:28 pm

With Kang killing it now, this has to be the end of Jordy Mercer right?

Postby **FreeCandy44** » Thu May 28, 2015 11:42 pm

Im also very happy the Pirates are proving me wrong with this winning streak that HOPEFULLY hits 7 tonight.

Postby **FreeCandy44** » Thu May 28, 2015 11:51 pm

Ugh...I just Shafnutzed the team.