Official Minor League Thread

[Possum]

Thanks for the info 3p3. It will be interesting to see how much of a bonus each guy got.

[Wildwoodcoach]

Just saw a picture of the two Possum. Looks like they could use us some more muscle.

[3pirates3]

Thanks for the info 3p3. It will be interesting to see how much of a bonus each guy got.

https://twitter.com/JMackeyPG/status/17 ... 6904734054

[fjk090852-7]

The Pirates officially announced the signing of 21 International Players today. They had a special signing celebration with the players and their families.

[Wildwoodcoach]

Yes, Bob had the celebration at the local McDonalds.

[Wildwoodcoach]

Yes, Bob had the celebration at the local McDonalds.

All kidding aside, I suggest that if you can, you guys should read the article in Todays PG by Jason Mackey
concerning the Pirates Academy in the Dominican Republic. To be honest, I was totally unaware of the scope
of involvement that the Pirates have in this facility. How many of these players will actually make it to the
majors is secondary. On an Island where it is a major achievement to graduate from high school, the Pirate
Organization deserves a pat on the back

[Wildwoodcoach]

Latest MLB report- Bucs have 5 players in the top 100
1. Skenes #3
2 Termarr Johnson # 61
3. Jarred Jones #62
4. Anthony Solomento # 82
5. Bubba Chandler #93

[Wildwoodcoach]

Latest MLB report- Bucs have 5 players in the top 100
1. Skenes #3
2 Termarr Johnson # 61
3. Jarred Jones #62
4. Anthony Solomento # 82
5. Bubba Chandler #93

Cubs have the most- 7
Orioles - 6
Reds- 5
Padres-5

[Bobster]

Yes, Bob had the celebration at the local McDonalds.

All kidding aside, I suggest that if you can, you guys should read the article in Todays PG by Jason Mackey
concerning the Pirates Academy in the Dominican Republic. To be honest, I was totally unaware of the scope
of involvement that the Pirates have in this facility. How many of these players will actually make it to the
majors is secondary. On an Island where it is a major achievement to graduate from high school, the Pirate
Organization deserves a pat on the back

The academy is 15 years old and I don't believe it has produced any players for the Pirates. It seems like a good thing for the area and an emphasis on education. But Nutting speaks of it as player development. There seems to be a disconnect there. Nutting gets to use it as a PR talking point as if the Pirates are really focusing on player development. Spending a few million on that facility is good for the area but a few million on payroll only buys a mediocre player. So it's a way for Nutting to sound like he's doing something for the Pirates without spending on MLB salaries. I don't think the academy does much of anything for the Pirates except buy some good will. But it sounds like a good thing for that area. I think of it more as a good Pirates Charity and Nutting deserves credit or that. But it doesn't seem to be much of a player development tool.

[Doc]

Yes, Bob had the celebration at the local McDonalds.

All kidding aside, I suggest that if you can, you guys should read the article in Todays PG by Jason Mackey
concerning the Pirates Academy in the Dominican Republic. To be honest, I was totally unaware of the scope
of involvement that the Pirates have in this facility. How many of these players will actually make it to the
majors is secondary. On an Island where it is a major achievement to graduate from high school, the Pirate
Organization deserves a pat on the back

The academy is 15 years old and I don't believe it has produced any players for the Pirates. It seems like a good thing for the area and an emphasis on education. But Nutting speaks of it as player development. There seems to be a disconnect there. Nutting gets to use it as a PR talking point as if the Pirates are really focusing on player development. Spending a few million on that facility is good for the area but a few million on payroll only buys a mediocre player. So it's a way for Nutting to sound like he's doing something for the Pirates without spending on MLB salaries. I don't think the academy does much of anything for the Pirates except buy some good will. But it sounds like a good thing for that area. I think of it more as a good Pirates Charity and Nutting deserves credit or that. But it doesn't seem to be much of a player development tool.

I read the article a couple of days ago and I think I remember it mentioning Marte and Polanco as “graduates” of the academy. If those two are the only big league players to have reached Pittsburgh in 15 years it speaks further to the Pirates inability to either recognize amateur talent or develop it when those players join the organization, regardless of who’s running the Front Office. I agree, the facility is a wonderful thing for the island but as for its main purpose, finding and developing major league talent, mark it down ans another strategy that’s come up wanting.