Pirates Sign Po-Yu Chen

By Jason Shetler

Per John Dreker of Pittsburgh Baseball Network, the Pirates have signed Taiwanese pitcher Po-Yu Chen. The deal is for $1.25 million, this according to Alex Stumpf of DK Pittsburgh Sports.

The 19-year-old Chen has competed at some high levels internationally – most notably the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup with Team Taiwan. 

Chen is a 6’2, 187 pound right-hander, with a low-90’s fastball that can top out at 94 mph. He also throws a good changeup and curveball, and has above average command of all his pitches. FanGraphs rated him the 22nd best international prospect for this year’s class. 

The Pirates were clearly high on Chen – seeing as how they made some minor trades in September to obtain more international bonus money, which they no doubt used to sign him. Chen becomes the first Taiwanese player signed under Ben Cherington.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pirates Sign Pair of International Free Agents

By Jason Shetler

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a couple of international free agent signings. Those players are pitcher Weslyn Toussaint and outfielder Juan Machado. John Dreker of Pittsburgh Baseball Network was the first to report the deals. 

Toussaint was signed out of the Dominican Republic. The 17-year-old is a right-hander, who’s listed at 6’2, 183 pounds. Toussaint throws a fastball that tops out at 91 mph, and his slider and changeup have a chance to become quality offerings. He is not related to Atlanta Braves pitcher Touki Toussaint. 

Machado signed with the Pirates out Venezuela. Also 17, Machado is a 5’10, 145 pound outfielder. He bats left-handed and throws right. Machado’s best tool is his speed, as he grades out as plus.

 

 

 

 

 

Larry Broadway Removed As Pirates Farm Director

By Jason Shetler

p/c: Christopher Horner – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Monday that Larry Broadway is no longer the farm director of the Pirates. 

Broadway, 39, was a third round pick of the Montreal Expos in the 2002 MLB Draft. He was also in the Pirates organization – spending the 2009 season playing for AAA Indianapolis. 

Shortly after he retired in 2009, Broadway became a scout for the Pirates. Former GM Neal Huntington promoted him to farm director in September of 2011. Broadway’s official title was Senior Director of Minor League Operations 

From 2013-2016, the Pirates had one of the better farm systems in baseball, but since then however, they’ve been unable to produce impact level prospects, and it’s definitely played a role in the Bucs having a losing record in four of the last five seasons. Broadway will remain in the organization, although it’s unclear in what capacity. 

 

 

 

 

 

Pirates Call Up Jared Oliva

By Jason Shetler

p/c: Christopher Horner – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Monday that outfield prospect Jared Oliva has been called up from the Altoona satellite camp.

Oliva was taken by Pittsburgh as a seventh round choice in the 2017 MLB Draft. He played his college ball at the University of Arizona, and was teammates with Pirates infielder Kevin Newman. 

After signing with the Bucs, Oliva made his professional debut for the West Virginia Black Bears, where he put up a .266/.327/.374 slash line.

High A Bradenton is where Oliva began the 2018 season. He slashed .275/.354/.424, while stealing 33 bases in 41 attempts for the Marauders.

Oliva spent all of last year playing for AA Altoona, posting a slash line of .277/.352/.398, and had 36 stolen bases in 46 tries. 

Following the 2019 season, Oliva took part in the Arizona Fall League. He had an impressive showing, slashing .312/.413/.473 with Peoria. 

The Pirates gave Oliva a non-roster invite to big league Spring Training. He was expected to begin 2020 with AAA Indianapolis, and likely would’ve came to Pittsburgh as a midseason call up. Oliva should be in the mix for an outfield spot entering next season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oneil Cruz Among Top 10 Shortstop Prospects

By Jason Shetler

p/c: Joshua Tijong – MiLB.com

Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline inserted Oneil Cruz onto their list of the 10 best shortstop prospects by ranking him #10.

Cruz was originally in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization, before being dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates at the 2017 trade deadline as part of the Tony Watson trade.

Following the trade, Cruz joined the West Virginia Power, the former Low A club of the Pirates. He had a .717 OPS with the Power, and played mostly third base. 

The Pirates made the decision to have Cruz play shortstop entering 2018. He returned to Low A West Virginia, putting up a solid slash line of .286/.343/.488. 

Cruz began last season with High A Bradenton, where his slash line was .301/.345/.515. He was promoted to AA Altoona in late July. In 136 plate appearances for the Curve, he slashed .269/.346/.412.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic caused chaos, Cruz was slated to return to Altoona for the 2020 season. Last week, it was reported that he will be playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic.

While the Pirates’ farm system leaves quite a bit to be desired, their shortstop depth is at least a plus. Nick Gonzales, the Bucs 2020 first round selection, is already on MLB Pipeline’s shortstop list at #7. They also have Liover Peguero, who was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Starling Marte deal.

Despite his 6’7, 210 pound frame, Cruz is an above average defender at shortstop, with his arm being the best attribute. It remains to be seen if Cruz will stick at short long-term, or make a move as a corner outfielder, which he certainly has the arm for.

 

 

 

 

 

Mason Martin Among Top 10 First Base Prospects

By Jason Shetler

p/c: Bryan Green

With the recent graduation of Seattle Mariners first baseman Evan White, Pirates prospect Mason Martin has been inserted into MLB Pipeline’s rankings of the Top 10 first base prospects at #10. 

The Pirates selected Martin as a 17th round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. Prior to the draft, he had committed to Gonzaga, but Pittsburgh thought highly enough of his potential that they were able to sign him for $350,000, which is a hefty signing bonus for a 17th rounder. 

Martin made an instant impact in his first year of pro ball, putting up a 1.087 OPS and 11 homers in 166 plate appearances, and was named the 2017 Gulf Coast League MVP. 

After splitting time between the outfield and first base, Martin played exclusively the latter in 2018. Combined with rookie ball Bristol and Low A West Virginia, he only posted an OPS of .722, while hitting 14 home runs in 442 plate appearances. 

Martin bounced back in a big way last year. He blasted 35 home runs, and had a .908 OPS in 556 plate appearances combined for Low A Greensboro and High A Bradenton. Not since Brad Eldred in 2004 had a Pirates minor leaguer hit 30 home runs in a season. 

MLB Pipeline has Martin currently ranked as the 18th best prospect in the Pirates’ system. He has by far the most powerful bat of any player in the organization – power that he can drive to all fields with little effort. Defensively, Martin has shown some improvement at first base. AA Altoona is likely where he will start out for the 2021 season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pirates Call Up Blake Cederlind

By Jason Shetler

p/c: Christopher Horner – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up one of their top relief prospects in the organization. Blake Cederlind has been added to the active roster, the team announced on Tuesday.

Cederlind was a fifth round draft selection by the Pirates out of Mercer College in 2016. Like most non-first round college pitchers, he signed under slot value. 

After struggling as a starter in the early part of his pro career, Cederlind made the move to full-time reliever, beginning in 2018. 

Last season, Cederlind pitched for the Bradenton Marauders, Altoona Curve and Indianapolis Indians. Combined with the three clubs, he posted a 2.28 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 41 relief outings.

Since making the move to the bullpen, Cederlind has seen a significant spike in fastball velocity – sitting in the upper-90’s, and touching triple digits on occasion. He also throws a decent slider and a changeup. Over the past month, the Pirates’ bullpen has pitched collectively better, and with Cederlind’s potential, it’s a chance to showcase his arm heading into 2021.

 

 

 

 

Pirates To Call Up Ke’Bryan Hayes On Tuesday

By Jason Shetler

p/c: Matt Freed – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ke’Bryan Hayes is finally arriving to Pittsburgh. According to the Post-Gazette’s Jason Mackey, the Pirates will be calling up the third base prospect for Tuesday’s game versus the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. 

Hayes was the Pirates first round supplemental choice (32nd overall) in the 2015 MLB Draft. Pittsburgh received the pick, this after being unable to re-sign Russell Martin. He’s the son of former big leaguer Charlie Hayes, who patrolled third base for the Pirates in 1996.

MLB Pipeline ranked Hayes the #2 prospect in the Pirates’ system entering this year. Hayes is regarded by many as the best defensive third basemen in the minors. Offensively, he has good contact skills, but his power numbers haven’t fully developed yet.

This season, the Pirates have rotated Colin Moran, Erik Gonzalez and JT Riddle at third base. Hayes will be the first homegrown third baseman to arrive to Pittsburgh since Pedro Alvarez 10 years ago. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pirates Call Up Will Craig

By Jason Shetler

p/c: Indianapolis Indians

With Colin Moran headed to the 7-day concussion list, the Pittsburgh Pirates have called up Will Craig from their satellite camp in Altoona. He will make his MLB debut at first base in Game 1 of Thursday’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Craig was a first round draft choice out of Wake Forest in 2016. The former ACC Player of the Year entered that year’s draft as one of the top draft prospects in terms of on base ability. 

In his pro debut season with the West Virginia Black Bears, Craig put up a .373 OBP. The following year, he registered an OBP of .371 for the High A Bradenton Marauders.

Although he posted strong on base figures, the power numbers were lacking for Craig. He decided to be more aggressive at the plate in 2018, and the results showed, as he hit 20 home runs, while posting a .448 slugging percentage for AA Altoona. 

Last season with AAA Indianapolis, Craig had a career-high 23 homers, but his OBP was only at .323. Defensively, he committed just one error at first base in 111 games, and was named a 2019 MiLB Gold Glove winner.

Not surprising, the Pirates protected Craig from the Rule 5 Draft last offseason by adding him to the 40-man roster. However, he’s been starting to slip down the prospects list, with MLB Pipeline ranking him 22nd among Pirates prospects. As a former first rounder who’s now 25, Pittsburgh needs to find out what they have with Craig sooner rather than later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pirates Consider Moving Ke’Bryan Hayes To Second Base

By Jason Shetler

p/c: Matt Freed – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic had an interesting little nugget on Friday, when he put out an article regarding the Pittsburgh Pirates mulling over the idea of moving third base prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes to second base.

Hayes, the Pirates #2 prospect in the system, is widely regarded as the best defensive third baseman in the minors. The son of former big leaguer Charlie Hayes captured his third consecutive Gold Glove for MiLB third basemen last season.

The defense for Hayes alone would make him the starter at the hot corner in Pittsburgh. The offensive production does include some question marks. While Hayes does make solid contact at the plate, the home run power has been lacking. In 2018 for AA Altoona, Hayes posted a .444 slugging percentage – hitting 31 doubles and seven triples. However, he had only seven long balls. Last year with AAA Indianapolis, he hit just 10 homers in 427 at-bats, and the OPS was at .751.  

If not for the 2020 pandemic, Hayes would’ve been called up by the Pirates, either in June or July. It seems asinine that Pirates’ management would move a stellar defensive third baseman like Hayes to another position that he’s never played at as a professional. 

The Pirates made the decision to have Cole Tucker play some outfield this season, but his path to being a starter at the big league level isn’t as clear cut as Hayes, who will be, whenever he does arrive to Pittsburgh. Hayes is only 23, and should be given every opportunity to be the Pirates’ everyday third baseman. If his power numbers don’t fully develop, then perhaps Ben Cherington and Derek Shelton could revisit putting Hayes at second base at some point down the line.