Post by joshsbix on Jan 7, 2024 12:24:11 GMT -5
Year 3, month 1 of the rebuild has seen some pieces come up and have immediate impacts at ML level while others are anxiously waiting for their debuts. the The Pittsburgh Farm system enters May ranked #8 in the league. Dexter Fowler has bloomed into the teams #1 prospect. The big organizational question is whether he should be called up this year or not.
Pittsburgh finds themselves 14 games back of the division leading Saint Louis Cardinals. However, having a winning sim has changed the attitude and the team has released a statement that if the team is within single digits of the division lead at the ASG, Dexter will make his debut to start the second half. Everyone knows it is a longshot but seemed reinvigorated by the idea that he could make his debut this year. Let's see if it shows up in the 5/10 sim.
Cory Wade continues to have a very solid rookie season. 34 games into the season Wade has a 4.23 ERA, a 4-1 record, and has given up 2 runs or less in 5 of his first 7 starts. The organization couldn't be happier with his first steps as a big leaguer.
Zach Kroenke isn't fairing as well in his rookie campaign. His ERA is over 6 and he is looking for his first ML win. The 25 yo starter hasn't been very consistent but when he has pitched well enough to win he can't get any run support, getting only 16 runs of support in his first 6 starts. In comparison, Pittsburgh has scored 47 runs on days that Wade started.
Certainly, the law of averages will sort things out because if the Pirates are going to climb back into the thick of things, Kroenke will be an important cog.
Mark Trumbo is still firmly on the 2010 promotion list. He still needs 2 ticks on his walks and 1 on his K's before we will even think about calling him up. It could be a deadline callup or a September call up if he pops, but for now he is officially not a part of the cavalry that could come riding over the hill.
Lorenzo Cain finally got his talent increase to make him G/G/G/G. With his Defensive ratings and speed, we are hoping that the OOTP gods smile upon him and he is the future star that we weren't 100% sure Jason Heyward would become.
Andy Dirks The former Witchita St. Shocker continues to develop and is a least a year away, likely 2 but will make a fine defensive compliment to an outfield of Trumbo Dexter Cain.
Elliott Johnson was a surprise callup after he suddenly grew into his strikeouts. He has had his moments where we see a solid future for him. He raised his average 25 points during the last sim and has hit safely in 7 of the last 10 games. He has flashed his speed with 6 stolen bases in his first 18 games and hit his first career homerun. The team is still very high on this young man. If we had an OOTP wish list, a brilliant hits rating for Johnson would be amazing.
Mike Broadway was on the shortlist when we were making the bullpen changes. He still could be called up for any given sim but we are hoping that each new file will bring a the upticks in walks. Being a LHP, Britton will probably be given priority, though.
Pat McCoy The 20 yo starter was the most pleasant surprise of the first month of the season, getting a pop in strikeout, hits, and walks talent. He still needs a few points to get his hits and walks up to good but the southpaw looks to be making his case for a role in the long term plan.
Zach Britton was almost called up during the bullpen reshuffle but the 5 in walks made me decide against it. A little more time and the lefty will be an important part of the late inning strategy. If he pops this year, he could replace CJ Wilson before September.
Honorable Mentions:
Switch hitting Neil Walker is a Pittsburgh kid and the fans are screaming for his upgrade now that Cain's has been taken care of.
Lefty 3B Josh Harrison fell off the top 10 list but is also likely to be high on the list with Walker and McCoy to get some points soon.
It looks like Griffin learned something during the terrible 2008 season. Interesting bump.
John-Ford Griffin increases his talent in avoiding strikeouts!
John-Ford Griffin increases his talent in hitting for average!
John-Ford Griffin increases his talent in hitting homers!
Pittsburgh finds themselves 14 games back of the division leading Saint Louis Cardinals. However, having a winning sim has changed the attitude and the team has released a statement that if the team is within single digits of the division lead at the ASG, Dexter will make his debut to start the second half. Everyone knows it is a longshot but seemed reinvigorated by the idea that he could make his debut this year. Let's see if it shows up in the 5/10 sim.
Cory Wade continues to have a very solid rookie season. 34 games into the season Wade has a 4.23 ERA, a 4-1 record, and has given up 2 runs or less in 5 of his first 7 starts. The organization couldn't be happier with his first steps as a big leaguer.
Zach Kroenke isn't fairing as well in his rookie campaign. His ERA is over 6 and he is looking for his first ML win. The 25 yo starter hasn't been very consistent but when he has pitched well enough to win he can't get any run support, getting only 16 runs of support in his first 6 starts. In comparison, Pittsburgh has scored 47 runs on days that Wade started.
Certainly, the law of averages will sort things out because if the Pirates are going to climb back into the thick of things, Kroenke will be an important cog.
Mark Trumbo is still firmly on the 2010 promotion list. He still needs 2 ticks on his walks and 1 on his K's before we will even think about calling him up. It could be a deadline callup or a September call up if he pops, but for now he is officially not a part of the cavalry that could come riding over the hill.
Lorenzo Cain finally got his talent increase to make him G/G/G/G. With his Defensive ratings and speed, we are hoping that the OOTP gods smile upon him and he is the future star that we weren't 100% sure Jason Heyward would become.
Andy Dirks The former Witchita St. Shocker continues to develop and is a least a year away, likely 2 but will make a fine defensive compliment to an outfield of Trumbo Dexter Cain.
Elliott Johnson was a surprise callup after he suddenly grew into his strikeouts. He has had his moments where we see a solid future for him. He raised his average 25 points during the last sim and has hit safely in 7 of the last 10 games. He has flashed his speed with 6 stolen bases in his first 18 games and hit his first career homerun. The team is still very high on this young man. If we had an OOTP wish list, a brilliant hits rating for Johnson would be amazing.
Mike Broadway was on the shortlist when we were making the bullpen changes. He still could be called up for any given sim but we are hoping that each new file will bring a the upticks in walks. Being a LHP, Britton will probably be given priority, though.
Pat McCoy The 20 yo starter was the most pleasant surprise of the first month of the season, getting a pop in strikeout, hits, and walks talent. He still needs a few points to get his hits and walks up to good but the southpaw looks to be making his case for a role in the long term plan.
Zach Britton was almost called up during the bullpen reshuffle but the 5 in walks made me decide against it. A little more time and the lefty will be an important part of the late inning strategy. If he pops this year, he could replace CJ Wilson before September.
Honorable Mentions:
Switch hitting Neil Walker is a Pittsburgh kid and the fans are screaming for his upgrade now that Cain's has been taken care of.
Lefty 3B Josh Harrison fell off the top 10 list but is also likely to be high on the list with Walker and McCoy to get some points soon.
It looks like Griffin learned something during the terrible 2008 season. Interesting bump.
John-Ford Griffin increases his talent in avoiding strikeouts!
John-Ford Griffin increases his talent in hitting for average!
John-Ford Griffin increases his talent in hitting homers!
