OnlyBucs

You might be right about Tucker. Being college players, I think Newman and Kramer have more experience and will make it up before Tucker. Tucker's defense has been questioned too.



I always thought Kramer was playing 2B because of Newman. I assume the Pirates feel Newman is the better defensive SS, but that doesn't mean Kramer can't play SS. Who ever is hitting will get the call up.



Kramer was drafted out of High School, unlike Newman. But then Newman was drafted over Kramer in 2015. I just think it is interesting on who will get the call and hopefully good enough to stick.

6F646C6065647F3A3C4B726A6364642568640B0 wrote: You might be right about Tucker.  Being college players, I think Newman and Kramer have more experience and will make it up before Tucker.  Tucker's defense has been questioned too.



I always thought Kramer was playing 2B because of Newman.  I assume the Pirates feel Newman is the better defensive SS, but that doesn't mean Kramer can't play SS.  Who ever is hitting will get the call up.



Kramer was drafted out of High School, unlike Newman.  But then Newman was drafted over Kramer in 2015.  I just think it is interesting on who will get the call and hopefully good enough to stick.


Yes, Kramer at 2B because of Newman. Newman the better fielder right now but diff positions. Hitting wise I think Newman has a bit more power but not so much OBP.



Tucker has pretty much fixed his fielding woes now he needs to keep his offense going and continue to make hard contact.



Of the 3 Tucker has the highest upside, then Newman and finally Kramer. But as we have all seen some players when the get to MLB turn out better than someone rated higher.



Me I will go with Newman now.

073539392D1F3C35383D3235540 wrote: hell, then either i was reading some really bad sources or have a terrible memory 


Welcome to my world.

Nobody in the Pirates organization can tell Kevin Kramer from Kevin Newman.



Not his teammates, coaches, managers or even his GM. When Kevin Kramer looks in the mirror, he isn't sure if his last name is Kramer or Newman. Same goes for Kevin Newman.



I think to simplify things for the prospect polls, they should be combined into one player: Kevin Kramernewman or Kevin Newmankramer, as I suggested a few months back.



Maybe that should be the next poll.

1131223F3E500 wrote: Nobody in the Pirates organization can tell Kevin Kramer from Kevin Newman.



Not his teammates, coaches, managers or even his GM. When Kevin Kramer looks in the mirror, he isn't sure if his last name is Kramer or Newman. Same goes for Kevin Newman.



I think to simplify things for the prospect polls, they should be combined into one player:  Kevin Kramernewman or Kevin Newmankramer, as I suggested a few months back.



Maybe that should be the next poll.


What a great idea Aaron. In fact I think we should list both of the names you suggested. In fact if psuinpgh does not put them in the next poll maybe I will use my Admin capabilities and do it myself.

7E5F577E555D3A0 wrote: Nobody in the Pirates organization can tell Kevin Kramer from Kevin Newman.



Not his teammates, coaches, managers or even his GM. When Kevin Kramer looks in the mirror, he isn't sure if his last name is Kramer or Newman. Same goes for Kevin Newman.



I think to simplify things for the prospect polls, they should be combined into one player:  Kevin Kramernewman or Kevin Newmankramer, as I suggested a few months back.



Maybe that should be the next poll.


What a great idea Aaron.  In fact I think we should list both of the names you suggested.  In fact if psuinpgh does not put them in the next poll maybe I will use my Admin capabilities and do it myself.   8-)




Thanks. That sounds like an excellent plan.

4249414D4849521711665F474E4949084549260 wrote: Kramer was drafted out of High School, unlike Newman.  But then Newman was drafted over Kramer in 2015.  I just think it is interesting on who will get the call and hopefully good enough to stick.


Kramer was drafted out of college, UCLA. He played SS there his first two years before having an arm injury (torn right/throwing labrum) that cost him his JR year. He came back after the injury for his red-shirt JR year and hit well with a bump in power (.476 SLG%/.900+ OPS), but the shoulder recovery limited him to playing 2B.



Reports on whether or not his arm strength recovered after the labrum surgery hurt his draft stock. The fact that he has been largely limited to 2B in the Pirates' system is either an indication that his arm didn't recover, based on Newman being drafted as a SS out of college (Arizona) in the same draft and playing at the same level with better D to start, or a combination of the two. Tucker being drafted at SS a year later has probably limited Kramer's chances of playing SS further.



Tucker and Newman are the best SS prospects in the system. I don't think Kramer is seen as being able to play SS except maybe in a pinch now.



Newman was supposed to have an advanced hit tool when drafted and has largely shown good contact and OBP skills without a lot of pop. I don't think he's expected to be more than a line drive hitter. Kramer's profile has been very similar until last year when he started to show a significant jump in power before he got hurt.



I don't know much about Kramer's D at 2B, but I have not heard anything negative.



Kramer is a LHH while Newman is a RHH. Tucker is a switch hitter.

Someone can correct me if I am not remembering correctly, but I thought Kramer played SS in the AFL and did well enough to put himself back on the radar as a potential SS candidate.  Not sure how much of a long-shot he is at that position at this point, but I think he is at least somewhat less of a longshot than before.

He's 23 and as has been mentioned, has played 4 pro games at SS.   Perhaps playing there in the AFL is an attempt to make him servicable at the spot from a UT standpoint?   



Someone who can play the position in a pinch.



I agree with Orlando... that it appears to me the bucs crossed him off the starting SS list shortly after he was drafted.    Now being able to fill-in there occasionally? different matter.  yeah maybe.    

1F081E293F3F335C0 wrote: Kramer was drafted out of High School, unlike Newman.  But then Newman was drafted over Kramer in 2015.  I just think it is interesting on who will get the call and hopefully good enough to stick.


Kramer was drafted out of college, UCLA.  He played SS there his first two years before having an arm injury (torn right/throwing labrum) that cost him his JR year.  He came back after the injury for his red-shirt JR year and hit well with a bump in power (.476 SLG%/.900+ OPS), but the shoulder recovery limited him to playing 2B. 



Reports on whether or not his arm strength recovered after the labrum surgery hurt his draft stock.  The fact that he has been largely limited to 2B in the Pirates' system is either an indication that his arm didn't recover, based on Newman being drafted as a SS out of college (Arizona) in the same draft and playing at the same level with better D to start, or a combination of the two.  Tucker being drafted at SS a year later has probably limited Kramer's chances of playing SS further.



Tucker and Newman are the best SS prospects in the system.  I don't think Kramer is seen as being able to play SS except maybe in a pinch now. 



Newman was supposed to have an advanced hit tool when drafted and has largely shown good contact and OBP skills without a lot of pop. I don't think he's expected to be more than a line drive hitter. Kramer's profile has been very similar until last year when he started to show a significant jump in power before he got hurt.



I don't know much about Kramer's D at 2B, but I have not heard anything negative. 



Kramer is a LHH while Newman is a RHH. Tucker is a switch hitter.


Kramer was drafted in the 25th round by Cleveland in 2011, but decided to go to UCLA. Newman was not drafted out of high school by anyone. Newman just went to Arizona after high school.



Good post. Good info. I still compare these two to Mercer and d'Arnaud.