2024 Official Spring Training Thread

[3pirates3]

https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1763791356017709259

[Bobster]

Being this will be my seventh post on this site, most of you folks aren't yet acquainted with my stupid ideas and idiotic notions, so I take this opportunity to properly introduce myself and swing for the fence here.

I keep thinking that the lack of movement on picking up starters might be due to the fact that the Pirates might be planning alot more bullpen games this year, at least until a past auditioner like Contreras or Priester for example steps up and takes a spot, or a newcomer like Solometo comes up and pulls a Randy Tomlin and works his way into the rotation in the second half of the season. Until...or if...someone locks up a spot or two in the rotation, the Pirates will rely on a perceived strength in the bullpen at least early on into the season.

You may be right. Last season ended with a rotation of Keller and Oviedo and a bunch of "openers." Knowing how expensive good starting pitching in MLB is today, and how even the good ones only go about 100 pitches or 5-6 innings, the Pirates just don't prioritize it. I think they focus more on building a bullpen that can handle 4-5 innings in most games. Even the 2 they added this year are iffy. Gonzales is returning after missing most of 2023 with arm surgery and Perez was moved the Rangers' bullpen last year after pitching poorly in the rotation. Seems like they aren't too concerned about the other spots in the rotation. Skenes can be added at some point and 2 from among Ortiz, Contreras, Priester, Fleming, Falter or Anderson can start the season in the rotation. If that's not the worst rotation in MLB, I'd hate to see what is. But I don't think Cherington cares. I believe their pitching strategy focuses more on the bullpen than the starting rotation. And considering the price for good starters and how pitch counts limit their innings, maybe that's not a bad idea for a team unwilling to spend.

[3pirates3]

https://www.mlb.com/news/paul-skenes-he ... hing-depth

[Possum]

Jackson Wolf was optioned to AA Altoona and infielder Andres Alvarez, left-hander Anthony Solometo, and right-handers Thomas Harrington and Bubba Chandler have all been reassigned to minor league camp.

[fjk090852-7]

Being this will be my seventh post on this site, most of you folks aren't yet acquainted with my stupid ideas and idiotic notions, so I take this opportunity to properly introduce myself and swing for the fence here.

I keep thinking that the lack of movement on picking up starters might be due to the fact that the Pirates might be planning alot more bullpen games this year, at least until a past auditioner like Contreras or Priester for example steps up and takes a spot, or a newcomer like Solometo comes up and pulls a Randy Tomlin and works his way into the rotation in the second half of the season. Until...or if...someone locks up a spot or two in the rotation, the Pirates will rely on a perceived strength in the bullpen at least early on into the season.

You may be right. Last season ended with a rotation of Keller and Oviedo and a bunch of "openers." Knowing how expensive good starting pitching in MLB is today, and how even the good ones only go about 100 pitches or 5-6 innings, the Pirates just don't prioritize it. I think they focus more on building a bullpen that can handle 4-5 innings in most games. Even the 2 they added this year are iffy. Gonzales is returning after missing most of 2023 with arm surgery and Perez was moved the Rangers' bullpen last year after pitching poorly in the rotation. Seems like they aren't too concerned about the other spots in the rotation. Skenes can be added at some point and 2 from among Ortiz, Contreras, Priester, Fleming, Falter or Anderson can start the season in the rotation. If that's not the worst rotation in MLB, I'd hate to see what is. But I don't think Cherington cares. I believe their pitching strategy focuses more on the bullpen than the starting rotation. And considering the price for good starters and how pitch counts limit their innings, maybe that's not a bad idea for a team unwilling to spend.

I think both of you are spot on regarding the starting staff. It does not seem like they are going to pursue to acquire any of the remaining free agent starting pitchers . I think they hope someone like Ortiz takes the number 4 spot, and the final spot will be filled by possibly Fleming, Peralta, Anderson or Falter. They will see how that works for a few weeks, and if Skenes, or Jones are doing well at AAA they will bring one of them up. It is a big risk because early season games are just as important as games down the stretch.

[JollyRoger8]

Jackson Wolf was optioned to AA Altoona and infielder Andres Alvarez, left-hander Anthony Solometo, and right-handers Thomas Harrington and Bubba Chandler have all been reassigned to minor league camp.

I am very surprised that Wolf was optioned this quickly and that he was sent to Altoona instead of Indy. I thought he may have been a dark horse to fill in the rotation

[Possum]

Jackson Wolf was optioned to AA Altoona and infielder Andres Alvarez, left-hander Anthony Solometo, and right-handers Thomas Harrington and Bubba Chandler have all been reassigned to minor league camp.

I am very surprised that Wolf was optioned this quickly and that he was sent to Altoona instead of Indy. I thought he may have been a dark horse to fill in the rotation

Nothing surprises me about the moves GMBC makes with this team.

[Bobster]

Jackson Wolf was optioned to AA Altoona and infielder Andres Alvarez, left-hander Anthony Solometo, and right-handers Thomas Harrington and Bubba Chandler have all been reassigned to minor league camp.

I am very surprised that Wolf was optioned this quickly and that he was sent to Altoona instead of Indy. I thought he may have been a dark horse to fill in the rotation

They probably already have a good idea who the SPs will be for Indy and sending Wolf to Altoona gives him a chance to pitch regularly.

[Dutton]

A couple of weeks ago I posted a prediction on who would end up pitching at AAA. I've already made one wrong prediction: see number 3 below. I'm surprised that Wolf has been assigned to AA. As Bobster opined, it probably has to do with giving him a consistent spot in a rotation. I've copied/pasted the post here, hoping someone will read it!
_________________________________________________________________________________

Starting Rotation: On our 40-man we have a five starting pitchers with options, including two vying for a rotation spot in Pittsburgh. I’m not sure either of them will win it. Instead, Luis Ortiz and Quinn Priester may lead Indy’s rotation. Jackson Wolf and Braxton Ashcraft should begin their seasons in the Indy rotation, but a MiLB free agent may push Ashcraft down to Altoona. Mike Burrows is hurt and won’t be a factor until later in the season.

One sure starter yet to be added to the 40-man, but full of promise to get there, is Jared Jones. The best known options among the MiLB crowd are Chase Anderson and Wily Peralta. Anderson actually started a bunch (17) of MLB games last season so he remains a longshot for the Pirates.
If management wants to see another lefty starter at Indy, then the best options are newcomer Michael Plassmeyer or holdover Cal Aldred. I would say Josh Fleming, but he’s out of options and I don’t think he’ll pass through waivers if he doesn’t make the 13-man staff in Pittsburgh.

Aaron Shortridge and Sean Sullivan have little left to prove at Altoona and it makes sense that one of them pitches his way onto the Indy rotation.

Not lacking candidates, eh? But since I’m going to make a prediction, here goes:
1. Quinn Priester, only 23, is kept at AAA for some needed seasoning. Luis Ortiz starts with the Pirates.
2. Jared Jones should be added to the 40-man at some point in the season, because pitchers get hurt. But he starts here.
3. Ready or not, Jackson Wolf becomes the sole lefty starter at Indy.
4. Sean Sullivan earns a promotion.
5. Pure guess: Wily Peralta. Chase Anderson makes it to Pittsburgh with a good Spring. Josh Fleming is claimed after losing out to Anderson. Management cautiously places Ashcraft at Altoona.

If I get 4 out of 5 right, I’ll be surprised.

Bullpen: There are 3 relief prospects with options who should lead the Indy bullpen: Lefty Jose Hernandez and righties Kyle Nicolas and Colin Selby. AAA holdover righty Hunter Stratton has the stuff to stick around. Of the remaining holdovers, Cam Aldred has the best shot as a lefty who can start or relieve.

After that, look for MiLB free agents to populate the 3 or 4 remaining spots. Leading this group is Ben Heller, who had decent stats in MLB last season. I like Brent Honeywell’s chances. He has a pedigree, throws a screwball, and has been to the Show before. Ryder Ryan has put up decent stats in the PCL for a few years now. I’ll go with Michael Plassmeyer as my final choice, mostly to get another lefty in the pen.

If you’re counting, that’s a 14-man staff. 5 starters, 9 relievers with a few of them who can spot start. Of course Paul Skenes and Anthony Solometo will make it to AAA, and maybe beyond, during the season. I’m just talking about breaking camp.

[3pirates3]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/ ... njury.html