The Pirates addedZach Von Rosenberg and Zach Dotson to their 2009 draft bounty with signings that continue to add credibility to the draft plan by Neal Huntington and his staff.. I wondered if the Pirates would indeed go all in to sign some of these risky selections or would it be drafting to draft them and then pocket the saved money from overdrafting Tony Sanchez in Round one. Well,my concerns were believable,but dead wrong. All four of the pitchers (includes Colton Cain and Trent Stevenson) that were mentioned in the draft post were signed and signed with plenty of time remaining before the signing deadline,which means the Pirates have a few more days and a few more dollars to land another player or two before the bell clangs for the final time for the class of 2009. Only time will tell whether the evaluation of talent was correct or not,but the Pirates did what they said what they would do and there is plenty of honor in that.
Von Rosenberg's deal was undisclosed,but expected to be in the 1.2 million range. The 6'5 righthander wanted to be paid like a first round pick in order to renege on his LSU commitment and he was ,as he received a contract that was along the lines of the contract that the White Sox gave to 23rd overall pick Jared Mitchell. Von Rosenberg throws in the 88-91 MPH range according to Wilbur Miller,but the Pirates project that to increase as he continues to fill out. Wilbur adds that most teams believe in the "fill out,throw harder" projections and it doesn't turn out more often than not.
Dotson was the 4th rounder and highest pick of the four pitchers,but received the second lowest bonus (600,000) of the group. Dotson was bought out of a commitment to Baylor to add the lefty arm to the Pirate farm group,throws in the low 90's and was reported to have had an inconsistent high school senior season despite a plus curveball.
The Pirates still (according to the Post-Gazette) have a little over a million dollars in their budget to add some extra talent over the next few days. The top player on my list to add is Florida outfielder Matt den Dekker. Den Dekker would be a top notch signing and would make sense to target when you consider the Pirates spending so much money on pitchers in the draft. Three righthanded pitchers have intrigue that are still available to be signed. 12th rounder Jeffrey Inman struggled at Stanford after dealing with shoulder issues,but could be a nice gamble if the cost is right. 17th round pick Jordan Cooper would need to be bought out of a Kentucky promises,but would add another nice arm to the class. 29th rounder Michael Heller might have the best arm of the bunch,but would need to be talked into reneging on a Florida offer and his velocity was inconsistent last year.
Photo Credits Von Rosenberg;Liz Condo-Baton Rouge Advocate Dotson:Effingham Herald
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!
Some nights missing the game is not so bad and from what I read of the Pirates poor fundamentals in last night's 12 inning loss to Arizona,I am kinda glad that I missed it.
I don't really like to dwell on those things without watching the game,but I thought I would make a note beforehand....
The more important news is that Colton Cain has reportedly agreed to a Pirate contract.
Cain,one of the three "hard sign" draftees is the hardest thrower of the bunch and is a lefthander.
Of course,I wanted as many of these players as possible and with time remaining before the signing deadline,the Pirates are looking (Thus far) to be living up to their word in signing several players that were going to take extra cash to bring into the fold,cash that the drafting of Tony Sanchez was going to help to provide.
The Waxahachie Texas native boasts a mid 90's fastball and a power curve to go along with it.
Adding Cain to Trent Stevenson gives the Bucs two of the three high school arms that they wanted to sign,leaving Louisiana's Zach Von Rosenberg as the most regarded of the remaining pitchers.
No official word on terms,but I would think that Cain cost more than Stevenson in order to buy him out of his Texas commitment.
Editor's Note:MLB.com is reporting that the Cain bonus was over one million.
Cain's signing was the second player in two years that the Pirates signed a strong Longhorn commitment to their system after Robbie Grossman last season.
The Pirates host the first place Cardinals tonight at PNC with Paul Maholm against Chris Carpenter.
Pirate Hooks
1) Steven Jackson was on the hook for the loss in the 6 run Arizona 12th inning and he was on his way back to Indianapolis after the game.
Jose Ascanio,who was one of the three players acquired from the Cubs takes Jackson's place in the bullpen.
2) Ascanio had been a reliever with the Cubs,but the Pirates announced plans for him to start for Indianapolis and he made one start for the I-Tribe.
If the long term plan is for Ascanio to start,what is the purpose of him finishing a lost season in the Pirate bullpen???
Wouldn't the time spent in the Indy rotation be better spent???
3) Kevin Hart made his Pirate debut in the loss,allowing three runs over six innings.
Hart was clocked as high as 94 on the radar gun...
4) Donald Veal was placed on the DL with a sprained finger.
Whether this is legit or just another way to keep Veal without using a roster spot is unknown,but it should buy enough time to get the Pirates to September when the rosters expand.
5) Chris Bootcheck was promoted from Indianapolis to replace Veal.
The veteran had been serving as the Indy closer and has saved 20 games for the Indians...
Bullpen Note
New Poll at the normal spot,Let me know what you think...
A few more housekeeping issues and we should be back to speed...
Buddy Ryan has been in Brown's camp taking a look at the Cleveland Defense and offering advice to his son Rob, the Browns' new defensive coordinator. What I wouldn't have given to have the picture to your right be the head coach picture about 15-20 years ago. The master of the 46 defense and builder of two of the great defenses of the last 25 in the mid 80's Bears and the Eagles of the late 80s and early '90s still is quick with the quip. When asked if the famed "46" was just another eight-man front, Buddy responded, "If that was the case then Marilyn Monroe was just a girl". Classic Buddy. I am not sure if Buddy is paying a visit to Jets camp to help his other son, head coach Rex with the Jets or not, but it sure would be fun to see Buddy occasionally during the regular season in Cleveland.
Brendan Shanahan re-upped with the New Jersey Devils for a one-year, one-million contract. Shanahan played well in his return to New Jersey but faded a bit as the lack of a training camp began to show. Shanahan (at minimum) will continue to be a force on the New Jersey power play and his return should bide the Devils through a season that should be the bridge to getting Swedish forwards Mattias Tedenby and Jacob Josefson to the NHL. Shanahan's one-year deal should also get the Devils some cap help for the next off-season when the salary cap is expected to take a steep drop.
Looks like the Arena Football League is cooked after 22 years of play. The league took 2009 off to start things over, but anyone that knows pro sports can see that this move was inevitable. You cannot take your sport out of the public eye for a year and pick up where you left off. Fans of the games find other things to do and they are often cheaper.
The big winner of the folding? The Canadian Football League will once again become The league to play in for the player that wants to keep playing and the player that wants game action to better his skills for an eventual NFL shot...
Great article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on the 50th anniversary of the American Football League. Not only an interesting read but two information bits that I was unaware of were gleaned from the article as well. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has a special AFL exhibit going on until February (I'll see it in November) and Showtime with NFL Films will be showing a five-part series on the AFL starting in September. I guess I'll have to figure out a way to get Showtime to see the series.....
A few thoughts on Pirate happenings that I have missed since taking time to enjoy my downtime
1) I have no problems with swapping John Grabow to the Cubs and like the talent that the Pirates received in return,but I wish that Tom Gorzelanny had not been included. I know that I am in the minority of Pirate bloggers,but IMO Gorzo was just starting to return to his 2007 form and could turn out to be quite the steal for Chicago.
2) Kevin Hart steps from the Cubs rotation to the Pirates,Jose Ascanio and Josh Harrison report to Indianpolis and Lynchburg respectively. Ascanio appeared with the Cubs at times this season as a reliever,but the Pirates plunked him into the Indianapolis rotation. Harrison has become the starter at second base for the Hillcats. Ascanio was placed on the 40 man roster for the Pirates...
3) Hart is expected to replace Virgil "The nibbler" Vasquez in the rotation. The Nibbler is exactly the stereotype for a bad 5th starter-fringy stuff,nibbles at the corners until he has to come in with a strike and then BAM!
4) One thing that I did miss worth mentioning was Andrew McCutchen's three homer night against Washington. McCutchen has always been projected as a 10-15 homer player,if he can get that total up to the 20 homer level,that could be the difference between being good and great.
5) I attempted to find a youtube of McCutchen's blasts,but came up empty. This ,however,came from a few weeks ago on the Braves network with McCutchen running on the split screen with old video from a Deion Sanders triple. Looks pretty close to me...
6) Bryan Morris and his disappointing season in Lynchburg came to an end after being suspended for "Inappropriate Behavior" towards what seemed to be the umpires,but the Pirates included his teammates and coaching staff. Morris struggled since beginning an abbreviated season after recovering from a toe injury. I hope Bryan puts things together as I was quite impressed with his attitude talking to him in Frederick. From what I have heard,Morris gave up three hits to start the 4th inning and the rain was then stopped for rain and that set the righthander off....
7) John Perroto has a new and revised top ten prospects list up at PirateReport that includes the new arrivals to the organization. We will do the same after the deadline for waiver trades on August 31st in case the Pirates add anyone else to the system..
8) We did see one West Virginia game in their visit to Hagerstown. Two rainout and a Teddy trip to the vet cost me looking at more than that.
9) One player that I was super impressed with was outfielderStarling Marte. The 20 year old has speed to burn(16 steals in 30 games),is hitting over .340 and has moved Robbie Grossman to left from center. I talked to Starling briefly on one of the rainout days and seems like such a humble guy. Watch for Starling Marte on the prospect radar!
10) Quinton Miller won his first game as a pro in the start with six shutout innings. Miller looked sharp but was aided by two strong throws that gunned runners down. Robbie Grossman tossed Nick Arata out at the plate from left (no relay) to end an inning and Starling Marte tossed Derek Norris out at second by a mile as Norris attempted to stretch a single into a double..
Bonus Rounds
Miller gives up a lot of flyballs and perhaps should have spent this season in State College,but watching him shows the type of arm that the Pirates valued at being worth 900k on the bonus scale. Miller should start next year at West Virginia,but a good first month or two should get him a trip to Lynchburg...
Baseball America has a look at the Pirate system,they include unsigned draftee Zach Von Rosenberg in their top ten. If that means he'll sign,no problem here..
People are so excited about Tim Alderson that the Post-Gazette sent reporters to Altoona for his first start. Alderson was the winner for the Curve on that evening...
If I have time,will return later with more catchup stuff and maybe a new forgotten superstar is on the way soon....
A brief note as I return from a self managed hiatus. I had a few days off work and decided to enjoy them and do some reflecting. I have come up with some ideas for posts that should be decent reading as we progress through for a while.
Another note is this-I could occasionally be away for similar stretches in the future. I have a new personal project that has came to me and I am very excited about. This could take a long time to do,but I think it will be worth the time when it is complete...
Back later with a few Pirate thoughts,even though I have missed little. When you split with lowly Washington and drop two home games to the less than strong Diamondbacks,there are few highlights.....
A look back at yesterday's trades of Jack Wilson,Ian Snell and Freddy Sanchez show a mixed bag of returns and one of the last trading chips of real value for GM Neal Huntington and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
First,a word of thanks to Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez. Jack Wilson played through more bad baseball than perhaps any man alive and always played hard. Jack was one of the better fielders in the game and gave Pirate fans something to cheer about in a period that there really wasn't much to cheer about. That said,this day had to come. Wilson's last contract paid him far more than his value was worth and his inability to keep his mouth shut during what is clearly a rebuilding program likely is what ended his Pittsburgh tenure. Freddy Sanchez was brought to Pittsburgh to be Joe Randa's backup and through performance (because Dave Littlefield was too stupid to see that he was the better player) and a little luck (Randa's injury) cemented himself into the lineup for good,at third base to start and then at second. Freddy being a line drive machine that managed to give the Pirates a.300 hitter and his toughness made him a fan favorite as well. I will miss both players,but this had to be done. The Pirates had to avoid the 8 Million vesting option on Sanchez and they couldn't take the chance that Wilson would accept arbitration either. So they had to go and we wish them well.
The crown jewel of yesterday's deals is righthander pitcher Tim Alderson. Alderson is the type of prospect that I never believed the Pirates could bring in for either Sanchez or Wilson and yet the Giants made the deal and did so without the Pirates paying any cash towards Sanchez's salary as well. Freddy Sanchez was needed by the Giants and he will do well there,but I am still stunned that the Giants gave up Alderson and how Neal Huntington snookered them into doing so. For those of you out there that think PITTSBURGH was the screwed party in this,check the screaming about the deal from the San Francisco side at McCovey Chronicles.... The 6'6 Alderson won the High A California League ERA title last season and was 6-1 with a 3.47 ERA for the Giants AA Affiliate in Connecticut and was the Giants second rated pitching prospect. Alderson has razor sharp control and the Giants rated his curve as the best in their system according to Baseball America. Alderson was assigned to AA Altoona and could be in Pittsburgh as early as sometime next season.
From the Seattle Mariners,the haul is less impressive than Alderson,but considering that Jack Wilson is a rental player and Ian Snell had devalued himself with his petulance this season,one takes what they could get and Pittsburgh did just that. Toss Ronny Cedeno aside,Cedeno is simply someone to field the 6 position for the painful remaining months of the season. This is really about Jeff Clement and three arms to add to the minors. Clement was once the third overall pick in the draft and looked to be Matt Wieters before Matt Wieters,but Clement was blocked the Mariners signing of Kenji Jojima and never received a long look behind the plate. Clement's AAA numbers are solid enough,but rumors are that his knees are bad,will only be able to catch on occasion and will be given his opportunity at first base. Attempting to project possible numbers for Clement show that he would be a well above average bat behind the plate,less glowing if at first base. However,a lefty power bat will always be given a chance with a team playing half their games at PNC Park and one can argue he never truly had a chance in Seattle. Clement was assigned to AAA Indianapolis to begin his transition to first base. .
Of the three arms brought in from Seattle and going by this years numbers,Brett Lorin appears to be highest rated. Lorin is 6'7 and 245 pounds,had an ERA of 2.45 for Low A Clinton and made the Midwest League All-Star team. Lorin is reported to throw hard (tops at 94) and strikes out almost a batter an inning..
Aaron Pribanic was also a member of the Clinton rotation and had a solid ERA,but not as strong as Lorin's. The grandson of former Yankee Jim "You endorsing iodine" Coates does not have the strikeout ratio of Lorin either,but the 2008 third rounder out of Nebraska showed an improvement in finding the strike zone this season and looks to be a bullpen arm at worst...
Look past the awful numbers of Nathan Adcock. Stats should always be taken with a grain of salt from the California League,a league that is notoriously tough on pitchers,so shove that off to the side. Adcock has average velocity,but Baseball America graded the Kentucky native as having the top breaking ball in the Mariners system before the swap. A move to the more neutral environment of the Carolina League should help Adcock's numbers.
Lorin and Pribanic were assigned to Low A West Virginia and should be here in town for the Power's four game visit against the Hagerstown Suns. Adcock is headed to High A Lynchburg to join the Hillcats.
Looking at the deals I would give the Sanchez deal an A as getting a prospect that could be in your big league rotation as soon as next year and not paying money towards Sanchez's salary deserves a top grade. The Wilson/Snell deal gets a B. One didn't expect a top line prospect,although a year ago Jeff Clement was one. This deal depends on getting one or two of the low minors arms through the system and if Clement can show some power at the big league level.
on and his staff..
the second lowest bonus (600,000) of the group.
