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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 06.30.23
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Jason Mackey
12:47
Hello, everyone. Thanks for stopping by my weekly Pirates chat. An hour later than usual. Had to be dad for a little bit. Anyway, we'll get started in a few minutes ...
1:03
And away we go ...
PirateFaninGA
1:03
Jason, do you have a sense of what the team wants to do with Endy? Will he catch right away or no, like Davis? If no, do you think they wait until after Choi is back and they can trade either Choi or Santana to bring him up? Otherwise not sure enough ABs to go around at RF,1B, and DH.
Jason Mackey
1:05
I see what you're saying. It's a tough equation to solve, for sure. I do think they're in a spot where they have to let one of them catch, meaning Endy or Henry. I think it would probably be Endy. But they can buy a little time by waiting for him to get hot. Will be tough to rotate Henry, Reynolds, Suwinski and a couple others in the OF, plus Santana, Choi and Cutch at 1B ... and Endy.
Jim M
1:05
Jason, Thanks for the Chat. What is the plan for Henry Davis catching?  Has he been catching in practice between games. He’s been as good or better than advertised otherwise so far imho. Thanks.
Jason Mackey
1:06
He has been. And working with Hedges. I do think they need to let him test it in a game at some point, but I don't have any feel for when that might happen. I agree; he has been just fine in right field and very good at the plate.
Bobby Bo’s payday
1:06
lots of speculation on who the Bucs are taking 1-1, but does anyone really know? Heck. Will they go under slot and replicate what they did in 2021?
Jason Mackey
1:07
It depends on several factors. What does Crews want for a bonus? What does Skenes want? At the end of the day, I still have a tough time seeing them venture outside of those two guys. Big-time talents. Now is not the time to get cute.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
1:07
Hi Jason thanks for the chats. Even before this modest 3 game winning streak, I was happy to see the youngsters being brought up for playing time. I'd rather watch the future of the Bucs losing instead of watching the vets that will not be here next year. I say Joe, Santana, Choi and Hedges should not be playing meaningful innings in August and let the young Bucs get meaningful playing time. Agree?
Jason Mackey
1:08
I agree with some of it. I do hope to see the kids. But I don't have an issue with Hedges being on the team. He would be a great timeshare/mentor guy. And has been. Santana could be that for Endy as well; so, those guys do serve a purpose. Also depends on what they could potentially fetch in a trade.
DaquidoBazzini
1:09
What's the future hold regarding Carmen Mlodzinkski? Is there potential for him to become a starter? It seems like he was a fairly high pick to become a middle reliever so early in his career.
Jason Mackey
1:10
I think they want to explore what he can do in leverage situations, and I have no issue there. Sure, he's only a year removed from starting, so I don't see why they couldn't go back. But what if he's good in this role? Need those guys, too.
J
1:10
I know he was recently extended and he is an all-star coach, but how warm is the seat for Derek Shelton?  Some of his moves are just baffling to me.
Jason Mackey
1:12
It's not warm at all. The All-Star thing was also because he's buddies with Rob Thomson. It's not designed to say, "Hey, you're an All-Star-caliber manager." ...I don't agree with everything Shelton does either, but I also think he's a better manager than people think. There's not enough credit given to young players developing (that sometimes not going well) and the type of player Shelton has typically had.
Gene
1:12
Do you think the Pirates let Henry Davis catch at all this year?
Jason Mackey
1:12
I do, yes.
Cullen B
1:12
Good Afternoon, Jason. Ortiz's fastball has been down about 4 mph compared to last year and his strikeout/9 innings is down by ~4 in the same timeframe. Should we be worried or is he working on something behind the scenes?
Jason Mackey
1:13
I'm not worried, but I'm concerned, if that makes sense. They've been working with Ortiz a lot on his mechanics. That work has been good and bad, as you can see from the results. I'm not worried about the velocity because of an injury, but I do think there's an element of consistency that I think could be a little better with him, sure.
Cullen B
1:13
Is Bednar more likely to be traded or extended? Relievers are notoriously volitale and Bednar is about to enter Arb 1. Seems like it would take a huge offer that no team would part with to get it done imo.
Jason Mackey
1:14
I'll take door #3: Just keep going year-to-year though arb and such.
Wayward
1:14
Jason, thanks for the chats.  Who goes when Choi comes back?  Better yet, what does the roster look like when Reynolds, Hayes and Choi are back?
Jason Mackey
1:15
Not sure, Wayward. We have time. Stuff can happen -- and often does. I wouldn't be surprised if Bae goes whenever Reynolds come back. Palacios could have a tough time getting reps when Choi comes back. ... We'll see how Gonzales, Henry and Triolo are handling themselves. Castro & Marcano could be considerations to go down, depending on several factors.
62 Stack Monster
1:16
Hello Jason, I am elated to see more and more "prospects" making it to the club.  I dismiss any super 2 or other business related (money/control) argument as irrelevant because I believe that the team should play its best players.  Having said that, why Hedges?  We have Delay, Davis, and even Endy to bring up.  Hedges was never a slugger by any means, but to play winning ball you need to play your best and that means hitting as well as fielding. If Hedges' defense is that valuable, which I don't believe it to be so, why not save it for later innings when a lead needs to be held and when he's not a liability at the plate, or why not send him to AAA to help develop Priester, et al.?
Jason Mackey
1:22
Was Hedges a liability when the Guardians went 92-70 and reached the ALCS last year? He caught 105 games, hit .163. Surely he must have screwed them. ... Seriously, though. Hedges is a perfectly serviceable backup/mentor, IMO. I would bring Endy up because he and Henry would benefit from being around Hedges and the work he puts in with preparation. I get the offense is limited, and I think the defensive stuff is overhyped. But there are still ways he can help your young catchers.
Tony P
1:22
Hi Jason,   This year I’ve noticed that during a pitching change in the middle of an inning, the Pirates base coaches and and any runners on base will go back to the dugout while the opposing reliever comes in & warms up. Why are they doing this?
Jason Mackey
1:23
Usually to go over scouting reports & possible positioning. Occasionally it could be because someone is placing a late-night Chipotle order and they don't want to miss out.
Cullen B
1:23
Multiple mock drafts this week have had the Pirates taking Skenes 1.1. This draft is ridiculously deep with prep players so is the opportunity cost between the ceilings of Crews and Skenes enough that the Pirates take Skenes, save 7 figures, and go big on prep position players later vs taking the consensus top guy in Crews? A rotation of Skenes/Keller/Priester and 2 of Roansy, Ortiz, Oviedo, Jones, Solometo, Burrows is tempting.
Jason Mackey
1:24
Yeah, I think that's absolutely a reasonable strategy -- and one I've discussed prior. I like Crews, but if he wants a crazy bonus and Skenes can bring $2.5 million in savings, they should do that and then go over-slot on high school kids and get more talent.
Cullen B
1:24
If Peguero continues to hit like we hoped he could where do you think he will land positionally? Middle infield seems to be pretty full, could he try the Outfield? Also how far away is he from being major league ready?
Jason Mackey
1:25
He's darn close. I doubt outfield for Peggy. He's not comfortable out there. He could wind up at second base. He's gotten a little better at shortstop. I wanna see Peguero hit Triple-A pitching, though. The Alika Williams kid they got from Tampa in the Stephenson trade ... not seeing much there. Could give Peggy a shot there.
PhilinCT
1:25
Mr Mackey, first of all I really appreciate your Analysis articles, especially as an out-of-towner. It's hard to watch Castro and Bae right now. When Hayes comes off the IL (assuming it is a short stay), who goes down and why? Thanks for all your writing.
Jason Mackey
1:26
We still have a bit on Hayes, but I hear your point about Bae & Castro. I'm expecting one to be gone today or tomorrow when Reynolds comes back (likely today). Just looked it up: Bae is 1 for 29 (.035) over his last 11. That ain't gonna get it done.
Cullen B
1:26
How much work is Davis getting at catcher behind the scenes? He has looked good in RF, especially with his cannon arm, but im really hoping the Davis/Endy catching tandem dream isnt dead.
Jason Mackey
1:26
Some. I can't give you hours or reps. But the other day he was working with Hedges for a decent chunk. Couple days a week, I'd say.
Cullen B
1:26
Any update on a potential Keller extension? or any player for that matter?
Jason Mackey
1:27
No. Keller would be the only one that might happen -- and would've reported something if I had it, trust me.
Ethan
1:27
Any chance Triolo gets to stick around even when Hayes is back? He might be the best SS the team has right now and none of Marcano/Bae/Castro are hitting like at all
Jason Mackey
1:27
There's a chance, sure. The thing with Triolo is his offense. It has been up & down. But if he hits, if anyone on this team hits, they'll find a spot. And Triolo makes it easier than most because of his glove. So, yeah.
Cullen B
1:28
I know Cruz really wants to stick at SS. Could the Pirates maybe try to sell him on being an elite CF with his speed, athleticism, and arm considering the middle infield bottleneck we will have in the near future?
Jason Mackey
1:29
They've tried. He wasn't buying. Wants to play short. If I were the Pirates, I would respect it and give him a chance. Was supposed to be this year, to be fair. But let him play 150, and let's see where it lands. If he makes 57 errors, he's an outfielder, in my mind. And I hope he proves me wrong. He might. His defense was better this year.
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