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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.11.21
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Jason Mackey
11:46
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started at noon, but feel free to fire away now. Thanks!
12:01
OK, let's do this ...
V. Fontaine
12:01
What do the Pirates see in Tom? He's 27 and as you mentioned in the PG, he's a fringe MLBer. They have players that they need to play to determine if they fit into the future. Will they offer him back after the rehab or activate him?
Jason Mackey
12:02
I don't even know if he's a fringe MLB player, V. Fontaine. I don't get it. I think they like his ability to get on base, which I still don't think is that great. I see no reason why they would keep him around after his rehab assignment; however, I've also seen no reason why they should keep him around before his rehab assignment
V. Fontaine
12:03
This is probably a little too soon to ask but I will anyways. Will there be an Arizona Fall League this year? If so, who would you guess that the Pirates would send?
Jason Mackey
12:04
  1. Yes, there will be an AFL, at least as of now. Mid-October. 2. That's a good question. Maybe someone like Oneil Cruz, if he's back and healthy. Could use some more work. I'd like to see some Cal Mitchell, perhaps. Even Nick Gonzales, who missed some time. I don't think I would chance it with pitchers given the lack of innings pitched in 2020.
Bill
12:04
Hey Jason-- Oakland DFA J.B. Wendelken yesterday. Hes a former GMBC draft pick and decent numbers this year and for career. With bullpen a mess, do you think BC will try to claim him?
Jason Mackey
12:05
It wouldn't surprise me given what the Pirates have done with bullpen-based waiver claims. I also have no intel that it's happening. But, yeah, it certainly makes sense, for a couple reasons.
Bill
12:05
Where do you see K. Tom fitting in after his rehab? Also, its time for them to promote Chavis as well. Give him a look.
Jason Mackey
12:06
I don't, honestly. Obviously Reynolds should play. I wanna see more Alford. I wanna see a position available for Park, which would enable maybe Castro or Chavis -- or even Tucker -- to get infield time. I don't think Tom should play over Tucker in the outfield, either. I like Ben Gamel. He's been productive. When he's healthy, I don't know why you would sit him in favor of Tom. Polanco? Honestly, Greg has been better than Tom. A lot better.
John
12:06
Hi Jason. Where would you put Mathew Fraizer at in the Pirates prospects list? He’s arguably our best outfield prospect at the moment
Jason Mackey
12:09
I don't know how I feel about that. Baseball America -- which I like, support and respect -- has Fraizer 26th. That seems low. I'm also citing a list that does not include Mason Martin, which I don't understand. I think I would have Fraizer in the 15-20 range. And I don't know how to rank "best" outfield prospects. Like, Swaggerty is probably the "best," but is he the most likely to contribute? Tough because of injury. Cruz could be an outfield prospect, but he's classified as a SS. I think Cal Mitchell is in the conversation. If Fraizer keeps this up at Class AA -- where Mitchell is -- then that discussion will change.
Richard
12:09
Hey Jason. Is there any news on when we might see Anthony Salomento, Bubba Chandler, Lonnie White, or Braylon Bishop get any game action?
Jason Mackey
12:10
I'm assuming you mean affiliated ball? I don't think they will both this year. I think they'll get "games" ... in rookie ball, or the Florida Complex League. And I'd say later this month or early September. But I would be surprised if they went to affiliates.
Austin
12:11
Who do you think may be traded in the off-season?
Jason Mackey
12:11
I think Chad Kuhl, if his recent run continues, could be a candidate. Steven Brault, too, although it's gotta be concerning given how little he will have pitched. Perhaps Colin Moran -- again, if he's healthy and really productive. Other than that, can't really see much.
Ty
12:12
Two words. Matt. Frazier. As Dave Niehous said “It juts continues, My Oh My!” Killing it in Altoona off the bat, when does a prospect like him crack the top 30 list? His new reformed swing and approach have made him a new player. Any chance we see him in September?
Jason Mackey
12:13
Matt Fraizer, one. If we're going for the dramatic effect. Two, sure, I think there's a chance. But High-A to the bigs via Class AA, all in one season, doesn't happen often. Best thing for Matt is to probably keep doing what he's doing and producing numbers. He cracked the top 30 list in Baseball America's updates. He was 26th.
Jesse
12:13
Who do you think the Pirates will protect from the Rule 5 draft and who do you think they may leave unprotected?
Jason Mackey
12:14
Jesse, I don't want to duck this question, but I'm going to anyway. I don't have as much research done on the topic as I would like. Please ask this again next week, and I promise to have a better answer for you. Hope you understand.
Logan
12:14
Do you see any big promotions coming within the minor leagues during the remainder of the season?
Jason Mackey
12:16
Yeah, I think they will promote some guys. Cal Mitchell would be one. I'm honestly surprise they haven't promoted Mason Martin, although I understand the strikeout rate has been high. I would expect Quinn Priester to get some Class AA starts. Could also see someone like Jared Jones going up to High-A after another dominant start or two.
Greg
12:16
Jason hope things are good for you and your family. I know you said this year was about seeing improvement in all levels of the system, so would one of the goals for next year be a .5oo team or is that expecting too much?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Thanks, Greg. I and we appreciate that. I think that's expecting too much, honestly. It's probably in their best interest to take it on the chin again next year, draft well, develop, all that fun stuff. By 2023, I would hope that some of their prospects are having an impact on the MLB team.
Steven
12:17
I see Michael Chavis is doing pretty well down in Triple-A, and I think either you or Mike had mentioned he's probably on his way up soon - how long should we expect to see him with the Pirates? Is he a one-year, two-year rental to flip at the deadline or longer?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I believe Chavis is eligible for arb for the first time this offseason. And, yeah, would not shock me if he's up soon. I don't have a timetable on his performance. If he's good, maybe a couple years, maybe they extend him. I don't know. If he stinks, obviously less. Gonna depend on how he plays.
Jason
12:19
What do you think the Pirates will do this off-season? Do you think they sign a couple of guys to put a more competitive team on the field next year?
Jason Mackey
12:20
I would doubt it. They won't say this, but it doesn't benefit them to be mediocre. They should stink and prioritize picks until they've flooded the farm system. They're not there yet. Sure, they need to add some guys to field a competent team. It's also smart to a rental or two, then flip them like they did Tyler Anderson. But adding a couple players to chase mediocrity, no, I don't think they'll do that.
Mark
12:20
Hi Jason. Do you think there is any way Andrew McCutchen makes his way back to the pirates or finishes his career here?
Jason Mackey
12:21
I'd never say never. And it could match up. If Cutch is looking for work and the Pirates need an outfielder, very possible. But I don't think either party would be interested in doing it for the sake of a story.
Stephen
12:21
Hey Jason. I’m currently in my early 20’s. Will I ever see the Pirates win a World Series?
Jason Mackey
12:21
Yes.
Justin
12:21
Seems like 2022 may be analogous to 2012 in terms of stage of the rebuild. do you think they'd be wise to try to find this decade's version of AJ Burnett/Russ Martin this offseason?  As in, underappreciated but legitimately talented leader types to help see them into winning times?  Or should that maybe wait a year?
Jason Mackey
12:22
I think they should wait a year. I think you're on the right track. I just don't think they have enough in other places to the point where those types of moves would be worth it.
Matt
12:22
Next Pittsburgh team to win a championship is?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Pitt football.
Adam in Boulder
12:23
Hey Jason - have you noticed Connor Joe is raking in Denver over 100 AB's? What did the Pirates not like about his playing so much that they didn't give him a cup of coffee in MLB after drafting him in the first round?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Hey Adam. I did not see that, honestly. Been consumed here. And I didn't cover Joe here, so honestly, I don't know why he didn't get more of a shot. Sorry.
Bill
12:23
Is the end near for Kevin Newman? With an new influx of middle infield talent, is it time to move on? Is it still worth seeing what Tucker can offer?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Kevin Newman is having the worst offensive season by a Pirates regular, judging by OPS, since the 1800s. Dead serious. I like Kevin Newman. But there's zero reason to keep running him out there. I don't care who we're talking about Chavis (and Park at short), Tucker, Castro, anyone. I don't know why Shelton keeps starting him.
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