OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Let's Go Bucs! A Pittsburgh Pirates Rebuild

TribeTown · 12-05-2022, 07:10 AM

MAY REVIEW

The Pirates were feeling pretty good about themselves after beating Cincinnati 15-0 in the 1st game of a May 7 doubleheader. Pittsburgh then lost 12 of their next 15 games before righting the ship, winning 2 of 3 from both Colorado and San Diego at the end of the month. Overall, the Pirates were 11-17 in May. They ended the month with a 24-26 record, 4 ½ games behind the Cubs (who have surged into a 1 game lead over the Brewers in the Central) but only 1 game out of the 3rd wildcard spot. Pittsburgh's Pythagorean record is 27-23, so the team is underachieving a bit.

The hitting has continued to be better than expected. The Pirates are tied for 4th in the NL with 230 runs scored. They are middle of the pack in most offensive categories. Their pitching was a little more inconsistent this month, and the bullpen in particular is a cause for concern. The defense is also a cause for worry as the Pirates rank 13th in defensive efficiency (.680) and 10th with a -3.1 zone rating. These numbers will need to improve. Michael Chavis (-2.1 ZR at 1st base) and Diego Castillo (-1.3 ZR at 2nd base) have provided below average defense in the infield, and Oneil Cruz is also below average at shortstop (-2.4 ZR – although he is an improvement over Kevin Newman's -4.0 ZR).

The young players have performed well so far. Oneil Cruz has burst upon the scene, batting .342 with 6 home runs and 16 RBI since his call up. He has a 1.078 OPS as the month ends. Michael Toglia has also done well, batting .269 with a home run and 5 RBIs (.905 OPS) in 8 games since his recall.

But what about Roberto Perez? Although his defensive ability is appreciated, as is his clubhouse leadership, he is batting just .104 with 1 home run and 3 RBI. His $5 million contract and nonexistent hitting makes it impossible to move him, leaving the Pirates little choice but to see if he can get his hitting back on track or release him and eat the contract.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ke'Bryan Hayes won player of the week honors on May 9. He batted .440 (11-25) with 2 home runs, 11 RBI, and 7 runs scored after his return from the IL.

THIS MONTH IN MLB BASEBALL

The Giants have the best record in baseball with a 34-14 record. They lead the Dodgers by 1 ½ games in the NL West. With a 30-20 record, Atlanta leads the NL East by 5 games. Over in the American League, Toronto leads the AL East by 3 ½ games, Minnesota continues its good play and leads the Central by 7, and the Angels have a 2 game lead over the Astros in the West. At 17-32, the San Diego Padres have the worst record in baseball, which is certainly not what Padres fans were expecting this year.

Trea Turner continues his impressive season. As May ends he is 3rd in batting average (.328, the leader is Arizona's Alec Thomas with .330), tied for 1st with 15 home runs, and leads the NL with 51 RBI (the next closest player is Mookie Betts with 40).

Andrew Heaney signed a 4 year, $36,000,000 contract extension with the Dodgers on May 2nd.

Ryan Pressly signed a 2 year, $23,000,000 extension with the Astros on May 4.

Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge both suffered injuries. Stanton will miss 4 weeks and Judge 3. Atlanta's Kyle Wright will also miss up to a month with a calf strain. Matt Olson suffered a oblique strain and will likewise miss a month. Kenley Jansen will miss a month with elbow inflammation.

DOWN ON THE FARM
Ryan Vilade is batting .292 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI at AAA Indianapolis. Ji-hwan Bae has also been impressive, batting .358 with 5 home runs and 16 RBI at Indianapolis. At AA Altoona, Nick Gonzalez is batting .274 with 9 home runs and 34 RBI.

12-05-2022, 07:10 AM	#10
TribeTown All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Garrettsville, Ohio Posts: 593	MAY REVIEW The Pirates were feeling pretty good about themselves after beating Cincinnati 15-0 in the 1st game of a May 7 doubleheader. Pittsburgh then lost 12 of their next 15 games before righting the ship, winning 2 of 3 from both Colorado and San Diego at the end of the month. Overall, the Pirates were 11-17 in May. They ended the month with a 24-26 record, 4 ½ games behind the Cubs (who have surged into a 1 game lead over the Brewers in the Central) but only 1 game out of the 3rd wildcard spot. Pittsburgh's Pythagorean record is 27-23, so the team is underachieving a bit. The hitting has continued to be better than expected. The Pirates are tied for 4th in the NL with 230 runs scored. They are middle of the pack in most offensive categories. Their pitching was a little more inconsistent this month, and the bullpen in particular is a cause for concern. The defense is also a cause for worry as the Pirates rank 13th in defensive efficiency (.680) and 10th with a -3.1 zone rating. These numbers will need to improve. Michael Chavis (-2.1 ZR at 1st base) and Diego Castillo (-1.3 ZR at 2nd base) have provided below average defense in the infield, and Oneil Cruz is also below average at shortstop (-2.4 ZR – although he is an improvement over Kevin Newman's -4.0 ZR). The young players have performed well so far. Oneil Cruz has burst upon the scene, batting .342 with 6 home runs and 16 RBI since his call up. He has a 1.078 OPS as the month ends. Michael Toglia has also done well, batting .269 with a home run and 5 RBIs (.905 OPS) in 8 games since his recall. But what about Roberto Perez? Although his defensive ability is appreciated, as is his clubhouse leadership, he is batting just .104 with 1 home run and 3 RBI. His $5 million contract and nonexistent hitting makes it impossible to move him, leaving the Pirates little choice but to see if he can get his hitting back on track or release him and eat the contract. HIGHLIGHTS Ke'Bryan Hayes won player of the week honors on May 9. He batted .440 (11-25) with 2 home runs, 11 RBI, and 7 runs scored after his return from the IL. THIS MONTH IN MLB BASEBALL The Giants have the best record in baseball with a 34-14 record. They lead the Dodgers by 1 ½ games in the NL West. With a 30-20 record, Atlanta leads the NL East by 5 games. Over in the American League, Toronto leads the AL East by 3 ½ games, Minnesota continues its good play and leads the Central by 7, and the Angels have a 2 game lead over the Astros in the West. At 17-32, the San Diego Padres have the worst record in baseball, which is certainly not what Padres fans were expecting this year. Trea Turner continues his impressive season. As May ends he is 3rd in batting average (.328, the leader is Arizona's Alec Thomas with .330), tied for 1st with 15 home runs, and leads the NL with 51 RBI (the next closest player is Mookie Betts with 40). Andrew Heaney signed a 4 year, $36,000,000 contract extension with the Dodgers on May 2nd. Ryan Pressly signed a 2 year, $23,000,000 extension with the Astros on May 4. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge both suffered injuries. Stanton will miss 4 weeks and Judge 3. Atlanta's Kyle Wright will also miss up to a month with a calf strain. Matt Olson suffered a oblique strain and will likewise miss a month. Kenley Jansen will miss a month with elbow inflammation. DOWN ON THE FARM Ryan Vilade is batting .292 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI at AAA Indianapolis. Ji-hwan Bae has also been impressive, batting .358 with 5 home runs and 16 RBI at Indianapolis. At AA Altoona, Nick Gonzalez is batting .274 with 9 home runs and 34 RBI. Last edited by TribeTown; 12-05-2022 at 11:10 AM.