Pirates Invite Gerrit Cole, Robbie Grossman To Spring Training
The Pirates have invited Gerrit Cole, Robbie Grossman, Tony Sanchez, Ramon Cabrera, Eric Fryer and Mike Crotta to big-league Spring Training as non-roster invites. None of these are hugely surprising -- it's not uncommon for a team to invite the previous year's first-round pick if he's a college player. Crotta is there because he has a bit of big-league experience. And teams always need plenty of catchers in Spring Training. None of these six players are likely to make the team. It's cool that Grossman will get a taste of big-league Spring Training for a couple weeks, though.
4 months ago
Charlie Wilmoth
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nice reward for Grossman
after last year’s awesome season AND THEN his great work in the AFL he’s one of the most exciting prospects in all the game to keep track of this year to see how he follows it up at AA. I’d imagine that’s where he’ll be starting right?
Ahahahahahaah, +1
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
What's the consensus on Cabrera?
He’s a bit old for the level, but not by much. Just by a quick view of the stats I’m seeing a guy that can hit for average, get on base, and at least has a little pop in the bat. Tony Sanchez is obviously the more talked about and anticipated catcher, but Cabrera’s a year and a half younger and should be right on his tail.
Is Cabrera starting in AA this season? Looks to me like he got enough at-bats and did enough in Bradenton to warrant a move up, but his CS % is pretty low at 13%, so maybe he needs additional work in High A?
It wouldn't surprise me
to see Cabrera open 2012 in Altoona with Carlos Paulino sticking around Bradenton a while longer. Cabrera hit really well last year (as did most of Bradenton) but he’s also built like a bowling ball (5’7" 200#). I’m not saying that his body type will be what ultimately limits him, but there’s no getting around that it is not ideal if you are projecting his future success.
by KentuckyPirate on Jan 17, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
If I remember correctly
Sanchez got invited to spring training three years ago and hit a homer off the Yanks.
by yellowpotbelly on Jan 17, 2012 11:21 AM EST reply actions
Any word on Chris Snyder?
I’d be interested in bringing him back for real cheap if his health checks out.
Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?
http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained
absolutely!
me too. something like 2.5 million or something would be a steal and would make me feel 1000 times better about our catching situation. Snyder Barajas should be pretty above average tandem
Snyder could probably be had for less that.
If healthy, he would be our best catcher. I dont think many teams trust that back though.
Hes going to be a coach sooner than he thought.
by white angus on Jan 17, 2012 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn't be averse to this
Given the inevitability that one will be injured at some point, McKenry could then get the call from Indy.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
I'd take him on a MLC in a second.
I’d probably take him on $1 MM deal right now as well.
Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?
http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained
is it just me
or is Sanchez taking a bloody long time in the minors for a first rounder (even with the broken jaw setback)?
No-jinx
"is it just me"
Yes.
________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jan 17, 2012 10:57 PM EST up reply actions
Yessirree.
He surely was.
________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jan 18, 2012 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
Not really
In the 2009 draft, there were 29 college players taken in the first round (well, 28 but I’m going to include Tanner Scheppers too). Out of those 29, 28 signed. Of those 28, 19 have yet to play in the majors. Even looking at the 9 guys who have put on a big league uniform, 2 (Garrett Richards and Alex White only got a cup of coffee). Ultimately, you’re left with only 7/28 guys making the majors already, so it’s not really accurate to condemn Sanchez for failing to do so (yet). Out of those remaining 21 players, some are likely to bust or have serious bust concerns…cough…Victor Black…cough…but there are also some excellent prospects still out there including Grant Green (AA in 2011), Brett Jackson (AA/AAA) and Tim Wheeler (AA).
by KentuckyPirate on Jan 17, 2012 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Yea but like you said 25% of the players taken have made the majors while Sanchez is a college player and will be repeating AA three years after he was drafted. So it’s pretty obvious he’s had a setback, although its way too early to give up on the guy. Hopefully he can be a 280/350/450 catcher with plus defense for us one day.
by Merle1989 on Jan 17, 2012 11:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Meh
I might be picking nits here, but being on the same pace as 75% of your draft class doesn’t seem like a “bloody long time” to me. Not only that, he was at the same level this year as fellow top prospects Green and Wheeler. I’m not convinced Sanchez repeats AA either. If TS rebounds from his injury and subsequent weight loss, I’ll bet he’s in Pittsburgh in September.
by KentuckyPirate on Jan 18, 2012 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
will be repeating AA three years after he was drafted
Is that a given at this point? I thought they were still figuring out the catching assignments…
We were talking about that last night
while taping the new podcast.
I’m not sure it’s set in stone yet where Sanchez will be, though my guess is that even if he starts at AA, it’ll be just long enough to make sure he’s back on track, bat-wise.
________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jan 18, 2012 9:15 AM EST up reply actions
I was going to ask that
If neither goes north with the Pirates, where do Sanchez and Fryer start the year? I’d LOVE to see one of them make the big club, but the team seems comfortable with Barajas and Fort, so I don’t think they’d push that too hard.
depends on Morales, doesnt it?
i believe someone on here, vlad or wilbur, stated that Morales has an out clause and may not accept a minor league assignment. if he doesnt, Fryer might be the #1 catcher in Indy with Sanchez in AA to start. If Morales does accept a minor league assignment, Fryer would split time with him until Sanchez gets the call.
with Fryer also being a good athlete, he could stick around as a Jake Fox type, backing up catcher and the corner outfield spots. he could probably see some time at 1B too.
Per Jenny L, who ought to know, Morales does indeed have an out clause. Actually, he has two: one at the end of March, and another in mid-May.
So what's the deal with Jenny?
Is she gone? She still seems to be doing some reporting on the Bucs.
by Wizard of Woz on Jan 19, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
Tom Singer
takes over on the 21st.
Good writer.
________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jan 19, 2012 7:12 PM EST up reply actions
I usedta read him
in the L.A. Herald-Examiner in the 80’s.
________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jan 19, 2012 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
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