In Case You Missed It: Is Felipe Rivero elite?

First off: My apologies for the lack of an ICYMI piece last week, what with quite a bit of draft preparation and coverage. So, you didn’t miss a thing, at least in this space.

Anyway, people have been talking a lot about Felipe Rivero lately. One thing that is a given, perhaps to the point of being taken for granted, is that he’s really good. Travis Sawchik broke Rivero down over at Fangraphs.

Some more Pirates links:

• Clint Hurdle stood behind his recent bullpen moves.
• Some Charlie guy took inventory of the Pirates’ movable assets.
• The Pirates offense has been heating up this month.
• Trevor Williams survived the starting rotation crunch the second time around.
• Elias Diaz is comfortable in the majors.

Around the NL Central

• With a struggling (and DFA’d) Neftali Feliz, the Brewers bullpen has been overworked.
• The Brewers, like many teams, are hitting a lot of homers.
• Joe Maddon gave Kris Bryant some rest in Pittsburgh.
• The Cubs are happy with Anthony Rizzo in the leadoff spot.
• A look at the ups and downs of Jedd Gyorko’s season
• Bronson Arroyo, who debuted with the Pirates in 2000, says he may have pitched his final game.

Elsewhere

• There’s evidence a juiced ball could be contributing to the home-run spike.
• More juiced ball evidence
• Add Neil Walker to the Mets’ laundry list of injuries.
• A minor league fly ball that just disappeared