Lots of posts planned for the nest few days during off days,but for Pirate fans that are suffering from a eight game losing streak and some of those in games that should have been won,here is a few things that can be viewed as good news!
1) Want the top thing to be pleased about considering eight losses in a row with the next six in a row on the road vs playoff contenders?
While Pittsburgh has dropped eight games in a row,the Washington Nationals have won eight in a row!
This has made what seemed to be an improbable goal (Getting the top pick to draft Bryce Harper) possible.
In just eight days,the lead in the Harper derby has been whittled from 13 games to 5 and a half!
Pittsburgh has cut into Kansas City's margin in the second place spot to be just two games behind the Royals.
From what I have seen,this seems very doable.
Especially when you consider that Washington really doesn't want the top pick again considering the issues that they are having in signing Stephen Strasburg and seems to be going to all out to avoid this fate...
2) Tim Alderson tossed six no hit innings in his last start for Altoona before being removed via the pitch count.
Alderson has allowed just 1 run and 7 hits in 11+ innings since being brought over from the Giants...
3) Two more of the power arms from the "tough sign" club have been added to the system as Zach Von Rosenberg and Zach Dotson both signed contracts.
This not only adds two highly touted arms to the system,but gives the Pirates their allowed allotments of Zach's for one year.
I plan on a separate posts on these signings soon....
4) Despite the Pirates continuing to have bullpen collapses (due mainly to the Pirates not having a lefty reliever to match up with lefty bats),I continue to be impressed with Evan Meek.
Meek has the stuff to eventually close,the question is this-does he has the mental ability to close.
In any event,Meek has shown the gumption to fight back from his 2008 struggles and be a competent MLB performer...
5) Selfishly,it may not be early in 2010,but if the Pirates move Von Rosenberg,Dotson,Colton Cain and Trent Stevenson in the same fashion they are progressing Quinton Miller this season,West Virginia could be a lot of fun to scout in late 2010 and early in 2011.
Brings back memories of the Greensboro teams that brought Chris Volstad,Sean West,Ryan Tucker,Aaron Thompson and Brent Sinkbeil to town as the all first rounder rotation a few years back.
Not all of those guys made it and not all the Pirates signings will either,but when you have that many quality arm prospects,at least some of them will...
Bonus Round
When you look at the next six games and their start times,I should be able to see all six games and that means game recaps here.
I prefer to see the games instead of just looking at the box scores for thoughts,so the Colorado and Chicago series should be a return to the old days for a while!
Still more to come on the off days.
Here is what I have in the works.
A look at Zach Von Rosenberg and Zach Dotson.
A Forgotten Superstar segment.
Either Things that make me laugh Or Knives and Daggers.
A look at the Cleveland Browns in Berea and of course bullpen notes by the bundle!
Photo Credit
Jolly Roger: fullcountpitch.com
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