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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 06.01.22
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Jason Mackey
11:48
Hello, everyone, and welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started here in about 10 minutes.
11:56
OK, let's do this. FWIW, listening to a little Grateful Dead from Buckeye Lake 6/11/93, if anyone cares.
PrinceBob
11:56
Your piece on Cole Tucker and the Pirates was great. He seems a great guy. I may never have hoped a struggling player would sort it out more than I hoped he could. And the Pirates gave him every chance to do so. I hope he lands somewhere and manages to hit.
Jason Mackey
11:57
Thanks, Gunner. I thought it was important to write what I did. Too often we get hung up on somebody having to be at fault. Cole worked his butt off and did everything he could. The Pirates gave chance after chance. Sometimes it just doesn't work out, and that stinks.
Michael
11:57
Where is the Pirates farm system currently ranked? Are the current group of players regarded highly among analysts?
Jason Mackey
11:59
Yes, they are. The two services I cite the most are MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. The Pirates are ranked seventh in the former and third in the latter. That's about the range you'll see whether you look at FanGraphs, ESPN or the Athletic.
PrinceBob
12:00
Do you know there's a sociologist at the U of Minnesota named Elizabeth Wrigley-Field? Honest. If you met her would you ask her about the Cubs or try not to thinking she must be sick of that sort of question?
Jason Mackey
12:01
I did not know that. And no, I would not. I'd probably refer to her by every other baseball park just to be a smart ass. Excuse me, Ms. Fenway ...
GPT
12:01
Break up the Pirates?
Jason Mackey
12:02
If you hear any noise ... it's just the Pirates playing the Dodgers.
PrinceBob
12:02
I missed last week's chat. When it moves I often don't find it. There was a guy called Ethan, I think, who answered questions about pay scales in AAA ball that I asked in a chat the week before. I want to thank him for that. And $25 for a big Yuengling at PNC Park? No wonder tickets and concessions manage to cover the Pirates payroll. I can't imagine paying that and I like Yuengling.
Jason Mackey
12:03
I think we're gonna try and move the chat to Fridays. Because of the newsletter and Sunday page, plus the fact that Friday games are always at night, it makes more sense. Need to chat with editors about that. ... Yes, Ethan Hullihen answered the pay scale question. You won't find anyone better on those matters. You'll also never see me pay $25 for Yuengling, unless there's thin cardboard involved.
Mercuty
12:03
How many of the young guys currently playing for the Pirates do you believe will be part of building a team in the next couple years?
Jason Mackey
12:06
If I threw out a number, I'd just be making it up ... but it's a chat, so what the hell, right? Hayes, obviously. I'd like to think Reynolds. ... Suwinski and Marcano intrigue me. Mitchell, too. ... Not sure how I feel about Chavis, Castillo or Castro. I think Cruz, Peguero and Gonzales are better bets "in the next couple years." ... Pitching-wise, Contreras, Bednar, Crowe is still young and may wind up being a damn good reliever, maybe De Los Santos as well.
Jeff King
12:06
I see that Sheltie doesn't like Batting Average for his batters. Does he like OPS+ better? I sure hope not because his Bucco are just as bad using that.
Jason Mackey
12:07
I think he does like using that better, yes. OPS, OPS+, wRC+, average exit velocity and other things. I know you're just trying to be funny, but I thought I would answer the question anyway.
Bill
12:09
Hi Jason, Hope you're enjoying the west coast trip. Lot of attention has been given to what Martin and Cruz are doing at Indy but quietly Ji-Hwan Bae is putting up very impressive numbers, especially power-wise. Bae was highly regarded when we signed him and its showing now. Do you think he will be in line for a callup this summer? He's rule 5 eligible this winter.
Jason Mackey
12:11
Yes, I do Bill. I think you will see Bae at some point. A little surprised we haven't seen him already, to be honest. Was looking this up last night because it intrigued me. Shelton yesterday mentioned wRC+ as a stat the Pirates value. Bae is the Triple-A Indianapolis leader at 132. That surprised me. Anyway, we should be talking about Bae more than we currently are.
Hank
12:17
I have tickets to see the Bucs in STL on June 15th, will Oneil Cruz be on the roster?
Jason Mackey
12:17
I can't promise anything, Hank. You know that. But I like your chances of seeing him. I don't think this ankle thing is major.
Guest
12:17
Have you heard anything about the Pirates draft plans for the first round? Like who they are interested? top 4 in order?
Jason Mackey
12:18
You think they're disclosing that stuff to us? Ha. No, I haven't heard anything. And, frankly, haven't had time to dig too deep into draft stuff. I'm sorry.
Bill
12:18
I know he missed last season with injuries but Cody Bolton seems to be back on track. Do you think he will get a look, maybe as a multi-inning bullpen arm?
Jason Mackey
12:19
Yes, I do. I think you will see Bolton at some point this season. Have seen him throw a couple times this season. It's there. He fits that hybrid role well. 34 K, 27.1 IP. That'll play. I like his stuff. He's healthy. Another guy who hasn't been talked about enough.
Carl in Carrick
12:19
Hi Jason, do you expect the Pirates to bring up Mason Martin any time soon?  I know he strikes out frequently, but he can also hit home runs.  Is he adequate defensively?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:21
Hey Carl. This is a curious one for me. Given the Yu Chang signing, I think that probably kicks the can on Martin. Perhaps with a strong stretch, where he tamps down the strikeouts, that'll do it. That seems to be what they want to see from him. As for his defense, yeah, he's absolutely adequate. Outside of Chavis, he's the best defensive first baseman in the organization.
Jeff King
12:21
Why is Sheltie 'spinning'  the advanced metrics for his Buccos when they paint just as bleak a picture as the 'hated' Batting Average? Did anyone call him on that? (Ignore my previous question).
Jason Mackey
12:23
I think you're looking to be offended here. Or seems like it. Shelton was just talking about what the Pirates value. How is that "spinning." He knows what the numbers are. He's not stupid. There's nothing to "call him on."
Guest
12:23
I should include the question, even though it's off the wall.

How 'bout let's send VanMeter to the minors for two weeks to get back into catching mode and bring him  up to catch? He's hitting better than what we have now, and he looked fine receiving. The pitchers weren't comfortable, but he seemed ok.

All right, say no and I'll move on.
Jason Mackey
12:25
Guess it bounced the other way off the wall ... here's an even crazier idea ... how about you find a way -- trade, free agent signing, pulling Jake Taylor out of the Mexican League -- to get better catching options on the roster? Crazy, I know. Good for Heineman, three hits last night. He's been OK defensively. But I'm not sold on that tandem, and I don't think I'm alone.
Guest
12:25
What is your realistic guess on when the Pirates will call Cruz up? Not when you or I want, but Cherington and the Pirates lol
Jason Mackey
12:26
It's tough with the ankle, but I don't think we're far off. I still think -- as someone asked earlier -- he's in Pittsburgh by mid-June.
Austin
12:26
I liked what I saw from Mitch last night despite the 5 walks. Obviously those need to come drastically down, but at the end of the day he allowed two hits and two runs and was able to make it through five and finished real strong. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:27
Pretty much the same as you stated, Austin. I tell this to younger writers (which makes me feel old), but sometimes my favorite stories are the ones I write under less-than-ideal circumstances. Maybe time constraints. Or I'm just writing like crap that day/period. Bad interviews. Whatever. Making it through to turn in something passable. I feel like that was Mitch last night, because he's still trying to wrangle the sinker. He bought another start in my book.
Darnell
12:27
Good afternoon Jason.  Like ex-Pirate Trevor Williams, Brubaker tends to give up a lot of homers.  Do you think Brubaker has a better upside compared to Williams?
Jason Mackey
12:29
Hi Darnell. Interesting parallel. I don't know if I would say better, but it's certainly different. I think Brubaker's "upside" is centered around one singular pitch -- his slider -- as opposed to Trevor, who had a couple and relied more on execution. i suppose it's easier to add experience and comfortability pitching than it is to learn a new pitch that's dominant the way Brubaker's slider can be. So maybe give an edge to Bru.
Austin
12:29
I’m wondering if the Chang trade means that they might move on from Yoshi if he comes back from the IL and still looks the same, that way they have a day off/fall back option when they bring up Martin. Does that sound about right or no?
Jason Mackey
12:30
I don't think they will give up on Yoshi when he gets back from the IL. I do think the leash will be shorter. Like, inside of two weeks. I'm not sure where Chang fits into that, although if he isn't better than he was last night, he may not be here.
Austin
12:30
What’s the deal with Castro? I’m trying not to be too hard on him because he’s young and still learning and developing, but I mean my goodness, some of these at bats are questionable with his discipline and vision, not to mention his fielding woes! Should I cut him some slack or is the criticism somewhat fair?
Jason Mackey
12:31
You should cut him some slack. It's not his fault he's not fully developed. He's a kid. You can't expect him to play like a veteran. I'm honestly a little surprised he's up here. Cruz or Martin are less ready than that? Bae? It's hard to believe. I like Castro. I think he's going to be a good player. But I agree with you; there have been some head-scratching and flat-out ugly moments.
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