Van Benschoten: I was "Left Alone" in Minors

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 22, 2007 4:10 PM EDT in News

...Van Benschoten said that when he looks back on his days in the Minors, he isn't convinced that he received the type of attention he needed.

"Coming up through the system and being the No. 1 pick and no one really stepping up because no one wants to mess you up," said Van Benschoten, who was the team's first-round selection in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft. "They have a big organization and they need to take care of other people, so I think being almost left alone has just come to a head this year with a crash course here."

That's just horrible. What a spineless bunch of coaches the Pirates must have (or have had). What business do the Pirates have denying pitching instruction to a guy who's a converted first baseman? Maybe Van Benschoten is just making excuses here. I sure hope so.

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Comments

well

that's...just...depressing. then again, so is JVB.

by Geeves28 on Jul 22, 2007 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

minor league pitching coaches

A comment like this doesn't surprise me giving all the draft picks and promising pitchers that have "lost it" in the Pirates system.

by Deaner on Jul 22, 2007 8:06 PM EDT reply actions

Off Topic

John Perrotto claims that Ian Snell is on the block.

by wfflprince on Jul 22, 2007 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

Figures

They don't like strikeouts or guys who hate losing, and Snell is all kinds of both.

Snell for Ethier would be a disaster.

by Vlad on Jul 23, 2007 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Snell and Gorzo

are the two players who could bring a nice return to the Pirates. So, I'd expect more back for either than a B list prospect.

by steve_z on Jul 23, 2007 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Ethier

I wouldn't want to move Snell for Ethier, so I agree there. But I do think Ethier's exactly the kind of guy we should be trying to get. Someone with upside blocked in his own organization.

He's the kind of guy you try to steal and buy low on... but that takes too much imagination.

As mentioned in the paper it wouldn't surprise me to see us work out something with Boston for Wily Mo Pena... could be as cheap as Marte or Torres to land. He has his faults, but he also has immense power, something we sorely lack. I wouldn't mind taking a flyer there.

by OmarMoreno18 on Jul 23, 2007 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions