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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.22.21
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Jason Mackey
11:21
Hello, everyone, and welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We're gonna get started at noon, but feel free to ask your questions now. Thank you, as always, for participating.
12:05
And away we go ...
John in SC
12:05
Really appreciate your chats, Jason. What is the reasoning behind only allowing a starting pitcher to go 5 innings, regardless of pitch count? I see it way too often with Shelton. I believe it puts more of a strain on the bullpen than allowing the starting pitcher to go longer. Thanks
Jason Mackey
12:06
Hey John. There are obviously exceptions to this -- maybe they're down and the pitcher's spot comes up, or the guy tweaked something -- but a lot of the time it's the pitcher facing an order the third time through. Shelton believes turning things over to the bullpen gives his team a better chance of success. I don't agree with it, mind you. I'm just answering your question.
PrinceBob
12:06
Why didn't the Pirates have Roberto Clemente Night on a Friday or Saturday when there might have been something resembling a crowd there to honor him? Even good Pirate teams have historically not drawn big on school nights. I'd think anyone paying attention would have known that.
Jason Mackey
12:07
I don't think it was their choice. Pretty sure MLB tells them when Clemente Day will be. In this case, they wanted to start doing it on Sept. 15, and this was the unfortunate byproduct.
V. Fontaine
12:07
What one thing should we play close attention to during these last 10 days or so of the season?
Jason Mackey
12:08
Good question, V. Fontaine. I'm looking for Miguel Yajure to make one or two starts. Curious to see how those go. Can Anthony Alford continue this? Is he for real? What about Yoshi, Cole Tucker and Hoy Park? There have been various degrees of effectiveness there. I wanna see if they continue. Can Ke'Bryan Hayes start driving the ball? Not a huge thing, but it's an area where he can get better. They also need Colin Moran to snap out of his recent funk, which would prove to me (and probably others) that it was just that, a funk.
PrinceBob
12:08
Does Cole Tucker's recent hot streak do much to keep him in the picture for the Pirate's future? It's been a huge jump in batting average and OPS and he's probably not going to stay this hot to the end, but what sort of final numbers do you think would have the team seeing him as a possible piece next year?
Jason Mackey
12:10
That's a good question, Gunner. I don't think there are set numbers, obviously. But if he continues what he did starting in Miami, obviously you're going to find a place for that guy. I think we should probably wait, though, because we have seen flashes before. I wanna see a larger sample before I start dummying out Tucker's future with the club.
Dwight
12:10
Best Dick's Picks Grateful Dead show?
Jason Mackey
12:13
Best question of the chat right here. Ha. A big thing in my love of the Grateful Dead was Dick's Picks 11, Jersey City, 9/27/72. Helped me understand more China Cat > Rider, Cumberland Blues and more. Will always be special to me for that reason. Also a huge fan of DP 8 -- the Harpur College in '70 show. Same thing, huge in getting me into the band.
Guest
12:13
Jason: After watching the horrible month so September that Moran is having, I am convinced the Pirates need a first baseman with some “pop” in his bat and can give us 25-30 home runs a year. Who are some potential players the Pirates might consider paying to play first base for us? I know they have to come cheap!
Jason Mackey
12:14
To be fair, most teams need a first basemen who can hit 25-30 homers. But I do understand what you're saying. Been a weird year for Moran. Really good early. Got hurt a ton. Hasn't been very good lately. Can still even out. I think Moran could still be the team's 1B in '22 no problem. I also think it would make sense for them to re-sign Yoshi. Bottom line, neither are the future there. That should be Martin, Cruz, maybe Castro or a spot to put some young hitter with pop.
Benson DuBois
12:15
When should we expect to see Roansy Contreras in the MLB starting rotation?
Jason Mackey
12:16
There's a lot that can happen between now and then, but my thought or expectation would be next season at some point. Would think he starts '22 at AAA. If he pitches well -- which he's certainly capable of doing -- then I think it would make sense to give him a look.
Guest
12:16
Has/can Tucker play his his way into an opportunity next year?  While he has better lately I just don’t see enough to keep a 40 man spot.
Jason Mackey
12:17
I think we need to wait and see. Nobody has to make that decision now. Again, he could. They do need guys for next season. If it's Tucker over Difo for a 40-man spot, I'm fine with that. I think we know who/what Difo is at this point. Maybe that's what changes. But I also think it's OK to give it more time.
Mark
12:17
Jason we’re buying season tickets next year in the PBC level but can’t decide on 1st or 3rd base side. Thoughts and opinions?  Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:18
It's your money, Mark. You should spend it how you see fit. Were it me, I would probably lean third-base side. But again, I don't feel like right about telling people how to spend their money.
Adam
12:18
hey Jason, love all your work!
Jason Mackey
12:18
Thanks so much, Adam.
Adam
12:18
hey Jason. Love your work! Being around the team, does the push to stay under 100 loses seem to matter to them? They’ve played some real good ball lately and I wondered if that factored in mentally at all.
Jason Mackey
12:19
Sorry ... missed that there was another message. Short answer: yes, I think it does. Now, I don't think that's the only reason they're playing well. I think it's a combination of getting a little more offense, some better pitching, playing good defense and having it all sync up. But, yeah, I think there's a difference felt by players 98 or 99 vs. 100 or 101.
CJ
12:19
Will we see Yajure pitch soon? I would like to see him to make some starts down the final stretch
Jason Mackey
12:20
Hey, CJ. Yeah, he will. They're TBA Friday at Philly. Would imagine that goes to Yajure, who is with the club.
bsesack@gmail.com
12:20
Hi Jason, Been a fan for 66 years...Coming from FLA. just like I do every year to see my Bucs win or lose the last four games of the year. WHY can't my wife and I just walk up at PNC AND BUY A TICKET? We do not buy cheap seats when we have to travel 1100 miles. The Pirates have to be losing money...or am I the only fan from the stone age? Love your chats!!!
Jason Mackey
12:21
I don't understand what you're asking. Who is preventing you from buying tickets?
Jack
12:21
When will the Pirates quit using Nick Mears in close games?  Last night was an example and he was lucky to escape. He seems to always throw fuel on the fire when he comes in, often because of walks.  What do they see in him?
Jason Mackey
12:29
I don't get it, Jack. I hope I'mm wrong, but I have not seen much out of Mears to tell me he's an MLB-caliber, 7th-inning guy. Maybe -- maybe -- a long man or something like that. But he does have solid stuff, and they have opportunity to dole out. So I can't blame them for giving him a chance.
Marc G.
12:29
Hey Jason,
First I just want to tell you that I have really enjoyed your coverage this year. I am always fascinated to hear from players who come from other organizations how the Pirates are as employers. Have you heard anything from new arrivals, even in the minor leagues, how their experience with the organization has been? Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:30
Hey Marc. Thank you very much for the kind words. Not a ton, honestly. The level of player we're talking, it's pretty standard. I mean, it's not like the players are going without meals or being given Ferraris or something crazy. The Pirates are fine with player treatment. I also don't think that sort of stuff applies much when we're talking about Connor Overton, unless you have a more specific question or curiosity.
Marc G.
12:31
Hey Jason,
I know everyone wants to talk about Oneil Cruz's position, but have you heard anything negative about his hitting? Are there are any concerns that his bat won't play at the big league level?
Jason Mackey
12:32
There are certainly things he's working on. Like his pitch selection can be rough at times, his swing occasionally a little long. Aside from that, no. Dude has a ton of power. His swing will absolutely play. I don't think there's a concern there. Just about harnessing his long levers.
Tarzan
12:32
Jason, Are any of the Pirate prospect outfielders expected to be bigtime power hitters? I know that Cruz is possible if he agrees to move to outfield, But any others?
Jason Mackey
12:36
I would not qualify Matthew Fraizer as a "power hitter," more a productive hitter with some pop. Can definitely hit homers, but that's not all he does. Canaan Smith-Njigba and Cal Mitchell fall into the same category for me.
Richard
12:36
Hi Jason. What do you think the Pirates are gonna do during the off season? Are they going to try and improve to get some fans in the seats or will they not be very good again?
Jason Mackey
12:38
I don't think the Pirates are going to go on a spending spree if that's what you're asking. I think they will make one or two targeted signings -- nothing the least bit splashy, but maybe a bat and an arm, that type of thing. And yeah, I think the hope is that they improve. I can't imagine they would want to do worse. I think they also have to let a lot of the kids play because of 40-man stuff, so that could go either way.
Austin
12:38
Hi Jason. With a lot of the prospects going up Triple A from Double A, why do you think Ji-Hwan Bae wasn’t called up?
Jason Mackey
12:39
Good question, Austin. Could be the availability of playing time with Marcano in the mix, Cruz, Castillo, etc. Maybe there's something going on where Bae is playing through an injury? He's been really good lately. Maybe they just want to take that into the offseason? I haven't been told an explicit reason.
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