NoGo designated for assignment.

Ecbucs · Post by **Ecbucs** » Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:24 am

The Pirates are designating first baseman John Nogowski for assignment, manager Derek Shelton told reporters (including Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). Pittsburgh has also finalized their signing of first baseman/corner outfielder Yoshi Tsutsugo to a major league contract. He’ll be active for tonight’s game against the Dodgers.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:27 am

587E7F687E6E1D0 wrote: The Pirates are designating first baseman John Nogowski for assignment, manager Derek Shelton told reporters (including Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). Pittsburgh has also finalized their signing of first baseman/corner outfielder Yoshi Tsutsugo to a major league contract. He’ll be active for tonight’s game against the Dodgers.
Nogo was fun while he lasted. If he clears waivers he'll probably wind up at Indy. And he probably opened a few eyes around MLB so he may get some other opportunities next year.

shedman · Post by **shedman** » Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:32 am

002627302636450 wrote: The Pirates are designating first baseman John Nogowski for assignment, manager Derek Shelton told reporters (including Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). Pittsburgh has also finalized their signing of first baseman/corner outfielder Yoshi Tsutsugo to a major league contract. He’ll be active for tonight’s game against the Dodgers.
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Nogowski's big mistake was hitting higher than .200. Cherington is stockpiling <.200 hitters and Nogowski just doesn't fill the bill.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:33 am

Tsutsugo showed a lot of power in Japan but has yet to show he can hit MLB pitching. This follows the pattern of taking a flier on different players with some MLB experience. But the report on him is that he can't catch up to fastballs. If that's true, his stay may be brief.

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:45 am

7A616C6D646867090 wrote: The Pirates are designating first baseman John Nogowski for assignment, manager Derek Shelton told reporters (including Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). Pittsburgh has also finalized their signing of first baseman/corner outfielder Yoshi Tsutsugo to a major league contract. He’ll be active for tonight’s game against the Dodgers.
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Nogowski's big mistake was hitting higher than .200. Cherington is stockpiling <.200 hitters and Nogowski just doesn't fill the bill.
It shows to me that our current GM knows when it is time to release a player who is not producing.

shedman · Post by **shedman** » Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:46 am

With a .155 average he will fit right in on Cherington's roster.

GreenWeenie · Post by **GreenWeenie** » Tue Aug 17, 2021 1:02 am

Man, it didn't take long for folks to fall in love with Nogowski, then to forget he existed.

Ben was lauded for getting him. Now, he's lauded to getting rid of him. @@@@

Ben can do no wrong.

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Tue Aug 17, 2021 1:17 am

667D707178747B150 wrote: With a .155 average he will fit right in on Cherington's roster.
He produced while in Japan, he is worth the risk. Why not take a chance? I like the moves our current FO has made, but everyone has the right to their opinions.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Tue Aug 17, 2021 1:21 am

Despite his recent slump, Nogo's .261 BA and .325 OBP as a Pirates (not including his dismal stats as a PHer for St.L.) remain among the best on the Pirates roster. He was likely brought in as a placeholder until Moran returned from the IL with a chance to carve out a spot on the roster if he did well enough. He's got a nice stroke for line drive singles but 1 HR and 7 doubles in 111 Pirate ABs won't cut it for a 1Bman. BC took a flier on him but wasn't sold. Ditto for Tom, Fowler, Craig, Vargas, Stokes and possibly Alford. Next up is Tsutsugo. He should probably rent.

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Tue Aug 17, 2021 1:25 am

1E2B3C3C370E3C3C37303C590 wrote: Man, it didn't take long for folks to fall in love with Nogowski, then to forget he existed.

Ben was lauded for getting him. Now, he's lauded to getting rid of him. @@@@

Ben can do no wrong.
Ben took a chance and Nogowski played very well for 10 games or so, then the league punched back and discovered his weakness. In my opinion it was worth the risk to claim him, and since he is no longer productive, release him.