2024 Official Spring Training Thread

[fjk090852-7]

Is anyone else intrigued by Jake Lamb? He’s 33 but I don’t think that’s an issue because he’ll be a back-up and he likely won’t be in Pittsburgh beyond this year or next as someone younger will come along. He’s a veteran who’s had success and I’d prefer an older guy pinch hitting in the late innings to an inexperienced guy. He may be a better option to platoon at 1B with Tellez than Connor Joe. I’m not sure Joe’s going to be an instrumental player for the Pirates in the coming years.

I have been intrigued by Lamb as well. He is a non roster player so someone would have to come off the roster to make room for him. I am going to assume that possibly one non roster pitcher may be added to the roster, but let’s assume Moreta is going to go to the 60 day IL. These last 3 weeks will be interesting to see how the 26 man roster will come together.

[Bobster]

Is anyone else intrigued by Jake Lamb? He’s 33 but I don’t think that’s an issue because he’ll be a back-up and he likely won’t be in Pittsburgh beyond this year or next as someone younger will come along. He’s a veteran who’s had success and I’d prefer an older guy pinch hitting in the late innings to an inexperienced guy. He may be a better option to platoon at 1B with Tellez than Connor Joe. I’m not sure Joe’s going to be an instrumental player for the Pirates in the coming years.

Not a fan of Lamb. He and Tellez are both LH batters. Lamb has a lifetime BA of .170 vs LHP.

But here are his BAs against RHP since 2019: .177, .197, .192, .226 and .216.

Tellez is a little better. In the past 3 years, he's been a .220-.230 hitter vs RHP.

Connor Joe is a RH batter who hit .265 last year vs LHP.

As the LH part of a 1B platoon with RH Joe, Tellez offers little and Lamb offers even less.

[Surgnbuck]

Will be interesting to see if the Bucs can continue with such a productive offense. As a team, if they can improve 10 percent from last season, which is attainable if they stay healthy, they will be in most games. So far, the pitching is what we expected, and it really needs to improve. If the staff can improve by at least a 5 percent improvement in runs allowed, this team is a solid wild card contender.

[Surgnbuck]

Henry Davis getting some notice on the MLB page, as one of the top ten ST performers.

[Wildwoodcoach]

Henry Davis getting some notice on the MLB page, as one of the top ten ST performers.

So far it seems his defense has not come into question

[Bobster]

Henry Davis getting some notice on the MLB page, as one of the top ten ST performers.

So far it seems his defense has not come into question

Which brings into question the evaluation of the evaluators last year. Did Davis suddenly learn to catch in the off season? Maybe not giving him a chance wasn't the optimal strategy.

[Ecbucs]

Henry Davis getting some notice on the MLB page, as one of the top ten ST performers.

So far it seems his defense has not come into question

Which brings into question the evaluation of the evaluators last year. Did Davis suddenly learn to catch in the off season? Maybe not giving him a chance wasn't the optimal strategy.

I will never understand last year's approach to not have Davis catch in the majors. He didn't need to be the regular catcher but he could have caught at least a couple times a week until he showed he couldn't hack it. Instead lets put him in right where he has barely played before and then comment on how bad he is out there.

[fjk090852-7]

I am wondering whether Peralta, Anderson, and Fleming may be on the Opening Day roster at the end of the month. If all three would open the season with the Pirates, I would assume that would hurt Jones chances for being on the Opening Day 26 man roster.

[Ecbucs]

I am wondering whether Peralta, Anderson, and Fleming may be on the Opening Day roster at the end of the month. If all three would open the season with the Pirates, I would assume that would hurt Jones chances for being on the Opening Day 26 man roster.

my guess is the Pirates don't want a rookie pitcher like Jones on the opening day roster.

[Doc]

I am wondering whether Peralta, Anderson, and Fleming may be on the Opening Day roster at the end of the month. If all three would open the season with the Pirates, I would assume that would hurt Jones chances for being on the Opening Day 26 man roster.

The days of rookies making Opening Day rosters is mostly behind us due to Super 2. And I find that sad because it was always exciting to see a new young guy in the line-up to start the season.