2018 Pirates

[redskin4209]

They're finally looking like the team they were projected to be coming into the season. Just terrible.

The most frustrating part is that some of the few players who were expected to be good, such as Bell, Taillon and Vazquez, have probably been their most disappointing.

The poor performance from Bell and Taillon is particularly troublesome, as they were supposed to be the cornerstones they were going to build around.

There may not even be a foundation to move forward with.

We need to shake things up a little. Maybe we need a new skipper.

 

[Diamondeye]

We need to shake things up a little. Maybe we need a new skipper.

They need to consider a change at GM as well.

How many amateur players signed/drafted by the Pirates since Neal Huntington took over in 2008 have made a significant impact at the major league level?

McCutchen, Walker and Marte were already in the system and Gerrit Cole was an obvious, easy pick at the top of the draft.

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

They're finally looking like the team they were projected to be coming into the season. Just terrible.

The most frustrating part is that some of the few players who were expected to be good, such as Bell, Taillon and Vazquez, have probably been their most disappointing.

The poor performance from Bell and Taillon is particularly troublesome, as they were supposed to be the cornerstones they were going to build around.

There may not even be a foundation to move forward with.

I think you have to add Polanco to the major disappointment list. He's barely hitting above .200!!! I know expectations for Polanco weren't as high as Bell's but still he was expected to be hitting a lot better than he is. Maybe the adjustment in his position in the batters box will turn it around and he'll start hitting a lot better going forward but every year it seems something gets off with him and has to be fixed.

 

[Darkstone42]

I think you have to add Polanco to the major disappointment list. He's barely hitting above .200!!! I know expectations for Polanco weren't as high as Bell's but still he was expected to be hitting a lot better than he is. Maybe the adjustment in his position in the batters box will turn it around and he'll start hitting a lot better going forward but every year it seems something gets off with him and has to be fixed.

Considering when he was going good, he was doing it on pitches middle-away to off the plate away, this should fix the issues once his eyes adjust. It should shift his swing coverage over the plate exactly, so he can't be attacked so effectively on the inner half as he was.

That it took so long to try this, I think, is an indictment of Branson as a hitting coach. It seemed obvious from the jump.

 

[thedddd]

I think you have to add Polanco to the major disappointment list. He's barely hitting above .200!!! I know expectations for Polanco weren't as high as Bell's but still he was expected to be hitting a lot better than he is. Maybe the adjustment in his position in the batters box will turn it around and he'll start hitting a lot better going forward but every year it seems something gets off with him and has to be fixed.

I think the bigger issue is that Bell and Taillon are being considered to be "cornerstones" and neither really project to be.
Taillon is not having a bad year and Bell leads the team in RBI's. For Bell i think the power will come but will take another season.

What stinks is they have the pieces but it took their Ace and Best player to get them. If this team had Cole with Moran, Dickerson, etc...they would be a better team.

 

[thedddd]

Chad Kuhl forearm discomfort...have a feeling Dr Andrews is in his future.

 

[Darkstone42]

Polanco seems to have adjusted to his move off the plate. He is mashing right now. If that's the adjustment which makes things click for him, the Pirates will have a very good hitter for a long time.

 

[thedddd]

^ To add Diaz is hitting well replacing Cirvelli on top of playing everyday. I hope Cirvelli comes back soon healthy to be used as a trade chip.

Not sure what Diaz did outside the fact maybe he is getting a chance to play everyday?

 

[dare2be]

Another fruitful Moneybag series.

 

[psaboy]

Probably another week or so until Reds catch the Pirates and move them to the cellar.

 

[thedddd]

Probably another week or so until Reds catch the Pirates and move them to the cellar.

Most likely but what sucks even more is they still have a good enough record to not get a top pick.
Why can't they just suck like the Royals or O's and to put a positive spin on this they aren't the Mets...

 

[thedddd]

Cervelli back on the DL with concussion like symptoms. I wonder when enough is enough for him?

 

[steelparrot]

Cervelli back on the DL with concussion like symptoms. I wonder when enough is enough for him?

He probably tries to play 1 more year then retires. He hasnt made enough money to flush next years salary.

 

[thedddd]

He probably tries to play 1 more year then retires. He hasnt made enough money to flush next years salary.

Good point. I wonder if a Jaso role is all he got left? I can't see him taking any more hits to the head.

If not he will be:

 

[psaboy]

Most likely but what sucks even more is they still have a good enough record to not get a top pick.
Why can't they just suck like the Royals or O's and to put a positive spin on this they aren't the Mets...

Ha, just after I posted this they go on a 6 for 7 game tear. They are consistently inconsistent.

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

Did we just sweep the formerly first placed Brewers???


One game under .500 at the break. WOW!

 

[thedddd]

Ha, just after I posted this they go on a 6 for 7 game tear. They are consistently inconsistent.

LOL..yeah this team pisses me off just be bad. Sick of the just good enough to get mid round picks.

 

[thedddd]

Did we just sweep the formerly first placed Brewers???


One game under .500 at the break. WOW!

Wasn't a few years back when the Pirates went 0-18 against the Brewers?

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

Wasn't a few years back when the Pirates went 0-18 against the Brewers?

Yeah, something ungodly bad like that. I think they might've eked out a win or two at home but lost every game in Milwaukee. They've been snake bit against the Brewers for years.

 

[steelparrot]

That was the first 5 game sweep in MLB since 2006.