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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.09.21
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Jason Mackey
1:28
I think it's Gonzales, personally. I could see Castro shifting. Maybe first base? Outfield? DH? I don't know. And nothing against Castro. But I think Gonzales is going to be a truly special player in a couple years, hence why I'm not worried about them re-signing Frazier.
Munkeefist
1:28
I'm getting on the Matthew Fraizer bandwagon early. With the way he is hitting and his age we have to see an aggressive move up the system right? I know they want to get these promotions right, but having a really good hitter make his MLB debut at 25 and then be considered old 4 years later seems a shame. Am I off?
Jason Mackey
1:29
I love what Matthew Fraizer is doing. I'm fine with promoting him at Class AA, then having him show me he can hit there. I don't care about his age, frankly. Every guy is different. And I think he will be promoted soon. Wouldn't shock me if he kept hitting, but I wouldn't like, all of a sudden for whatever reason, jump him to Class AAA because of his age.
Drew
1:29
Like most people, I expect Frazier, Anderson, and Rodriguez to be traded, but what about Stratton or Crick?  Or will trading Rodriguez make the Pirates not want to blow up the bullpen too much in the name of competitive integrity?
Jason Mackey
1:29
I would say no on Crick. The control issues would scare me. Maybe on Stratton. If someone did acquire him, I think the return would be very minimal. But, yeah, I could see him helping a better team as a long man.
DJS
1:30
Thanks for answering these questions, Jason. Here's a bit of a random curveball as a change of pace from our 100% draft and deadline brains at the moment: do you think it could make sense for Rodolfo Castro to get some time in the OF as well? He's not going to play 3B for us, and at some point Gonzales takes over at 2B. Maybe he gets a look at 2B after Frazier is traded if he can show some solid things at the plate during these next few weeks (though it seems like he'll go back down), but in general it seems like it might be good for his profile if he can play the OF corners and be a super utility type guy.
Jason Mackey
1:30
Yes, I do, DJS. That would make sense. And I think they will try it. Cherington likes to do that across the board -- introduce new positions. And if Castro hits, he may have to learn the outfield because of who they have other places.
Danny
1:30
Really hoping Hanrahan has been able to tap into something with Keller at Indy. 1. Have you heard anything they’re specifically working on and 2. Is Hanrahan on the Pirates coaching staff within the next few years? Seems like he’s been getting rave reviews
Jason Mackey
1:32
I actually think no. And not because anything Joel did or hasn't done. I think the Pirates will stick with Oscar Marin, and I think another team will be smart and swoop in and steal Joel. They're working on attitude with him, controlling his fastball and having more of an attacking mentality. Yes, that's going to have a mechanical component to it, but it's more about being aggressive and not trying to nibble as much.
SOCAL21
1:32
Love your chat and answer. Thank you.
Jason Mackey
1:32
Thank you for participating!
Danny
1:32
One of the arguments I see for people wanting Leiter is that the Bucs “have too many short stops” not that drafting for need should be in play but couldn’t you argue they may be just as deep when it comes to pitching depth?
Jason Mackey
1:33
You can never have enough pitching depth. Ever. You can never have enough shortstop, either, as far as I'm concerned. If you move one or trade one, whatever. The goal should be to get the best 26 players possible or the best 40.
Bill
1:33
With EGon out several weeks and Newman not producing offensively, now feels like a good time to give Tucker some run at SS and see what he has right? I know Newman's glove is really good but Tucker's is as well.
Jason Mackey
1:34
I'm OK giving him more run, but what has Tucker done to bump anyone out of the lineup? Again, I get that Newman hasn't hit. I'm OK creating a platoon at the position. I just think I'm gonna start hearing "Why is Tucker playing?" if they play him, and he doesn't hit. But, yeah, I would be OK with a little more PT for him.
Seferg
1:34
If I understand right you cant trade picks in the baseball draft.  Not that the Pirates would, but how long before you can trade the player you picked or trade for another player you wanted but was gone before you picked?
Jason Mackey
1:34
That's a good question. I don't know if anyone has tested it, to be honest. But I'm sure there's some mechanism in the rules that dictates a player has to sign and be in the org for xxx number of years.
Woobie
1:34
Mitchell. He doesn’t seemed to be talked about as much as other guys, but he’s had a good year statistically, is still quite young,
Jason Mackey
1:35
I wouldn't be shocked if he, too, is promoted to Class AAA. I wanna see him against better competition. He looked good at instructional league. Looked overwhelmed in spring training but seemed to really find something during the regular season.
Mel
1:35
What’s the deal on Craig?  First rounder and just bringing guys that really don’t have major league future
Jason Mackey
1:36
I don't know if they adjudge Craig as having a major league future. I think they're just giving people chances -- in some spots, not all -- to see what they can do. Craig has had plenty.
Dennis Dixon
1:36
Jason- Back in February you chastised me a bit for using your chat forum to poke fun at the Pirates.  I had asked which minor league team would do better- the one Indianapolis or the one in Pittsburgh.  I respectfully withdraw that question, but will ask what can we root for on a day-to-day basis? OK, we lost again but...
Jason Mackey
1:38
I don't remember chastising you for poking fun at the Pirates, Dennis. I may have not agreed with something you said, which isn't chastising. I would still say it's not a fair question, Pittsburgh vs. Indianapolis, and you're just saying it to rip on the MLB club, which is fine but not necessarily productive. Said it then and will say it now: invest in the minors. It's worth it. I could give you Hayes, Reynolds, some minor pitching stuff, etc. Watching ball is better than watching a lot of crap that's on TV, IMO, but I get that it's frustrating. You can legit learn about things and track stuff that matters by following the Pirates' affiliates.
Joel
1:38
Re trading drafter players, there used to be a rule that the organization had to wait a full year after the original draft.
Jason Mackey
1:38
Knew someone would come through with it.
Tom
1:39
I live 2 miles from PNG field. Shame on me for not going to a game yet. What 2 pitchers do I want to make a point of seeing?
Jason Mackey
1:39
Go when Roansy is pitching. It'll be a couple weeks, though. But just go. Doesn't have to be centered around pitching. Honestly, Altoona's best prospects right now aren't pitchers.
Benson DuBois
1:39
Would the Pirates view Mayer as the eventual replacement for Hayes?
Jason Mackey
1:39
No, I think he would be viewed -- if they drafted him -- as a potential complement.
Joel
1:39
Re trading drafted players, the old rule required waiting a year after the original draft. Now a player can be traded in the off season after the draft. Trey Turner is an example of a player who had to be named later while the Padres (foolishly) waited for the year after mark to be reached.
Jason Mackey
1:40
Again, there ya go. Thanks, Joel.
DJS
1:40
Might not have time to sneak this in under the buzzer (thanks for the long chat!), but re: Fraizer, I think it's worth noting that his placement was already at least a little aggressive, since due to covid he never played in Bradenton. Great to see him succeeding, and I'm on the bandwagon and wanting to see him go to Altoona soon too.
Jason Mackey
1:40
Yup, yup. Was just about to end it. And again, I think he will be one of their promotions. He's having a great year.
1:41
OK, folks. That does it. I'm gonna get going. Thanks so much for participating. Let's do this again next week!
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