OnlyBucs

The Pirates have been associated with two players in the top 30 International prospects mainly Raymond Mola, and Jun Seok Shim. I guess if they sign either of these players an announcement will be made in the next couple days, or as early as tomorrow. Mola is an outfielder, and Shim is a right handed pitcher from Korea.

Pirates signed a guy from Uganda. How's that for scouting,they don`t even name who the player is, since its such a secret hotbed for talent. The Korean pitcher Shim looks pretty solid.

6C4746434346417C5B4E5B4640412F0 wrote: Pirates signed a guy from Uganda. How's that for scouting,they don`t even name who the player is, since its such a secret hotbed for talent. The Korean pitcher Shim looks pretty solid.


Here is some info from PiratesProspects about the kid from Uganda Pirates Sign RHP David Matoma from Uganda

Now if they would nust sign Bauer the offseason would be considered a win

The information on Shim is very interesting. If they can further his development, he appears to be a #2 or #3 pitcher in the rotation. Possibly by late 2025 or mid 2026 he will join the rotation with Priester and Burrows making a solid 3/5 ths of a starting rotation.

Two players from the Dominican namely, Mateo and Pichardo received more bonus money than did Mola. As far as I have seen they were not rated as top International Prospects as was Mola.

515D5C070E070F02051A00370 wrote: Two players from the Dominican namely, Mateo and Pichardo received more bonus money than did Mola.  As far as I have seen they were not rated  as top International Prospects as was Mola.


Carlos Mateo – Mateo received a bigger bonus ($800,000) because he’s a big frame pitcher who was already touching mid-90s at 16 years old. He routinely tops out at 95-96 MPH. His listed height is 6’2″, though he’s had a late spurt and is “at least 6’3” now. He not only throws hard already, but he throws a lot of strikes already with that velocity. He has all of the ingredients you want to see for someone to end up as a power-pitcher in a durable starter role. His other pitches are a bit raw now, as he has shown a feel for his breaking ball and changeup, but there’s work being done to adjust his grips and get more out of the pitches. Huge potential upside here.



Bladimir Pichardo – He’s described as a Mateo-lite, because they have all of the same traits but his velocity is about four MPH behind, though it’s believe he has plenty of untapped velocity. He was sitting 86-88 MPH not long ago, but is current up to 92 MPH. He has shown signs of an advanced slider, with a good feel for spin, but it can be inconsistent. He throws all three of his pitches for strikes. It’s basically the same report as Mateo, frame/tools/age/power starter traits, just knock a few MPH off right now, while adding that Pichardo can be aggressive on the mound and really attack hitters with his pitches.



https://piratesprospects.com/2023/01/sc ... esday.html