Monthly Archives: March 2010
PLC Myth-Smashers: Introduction
You are relaxing in a Pittsburgh bar, enjoying happy hour with a few acquaintances. One of the televisions is tuned to FSN, and Andrew McCutchen’s face flashes across the screen during a spring training interview. One of your buddies quickly announces that “he will be wearing pinstripes within two years.” Don’t know the proper response? We have you covered.
Prospect Watching: Jeff Karstens and Jeremy Powell
A pair of pitchers, one a prospect and one a returning veteran:
Jeff Karstens is a 27-year-old righty, who was drafted by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 2003 draft. �He began his pro career at the A+ level in 2004, and rose quickly, reaching the major leagues on August 22, 2006. �He made 6 starts and 8 relief appearances for the Yankees that season, earning a 2-1 record and a 3.80 ERA. �Karstens broke his leg and missed most of the 2007 season. �When he returned, he began the season at the Yankees’ AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre affiliate. �He made 12 starts at AAA, with a 6-4 record and a 3.80 ERA, before being traded to the Pirates in the big trade that also brought Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen, and Jose Tabata to Pittsburgh. �Since Karstens had been doing well at AAA, the Pirates assigned him to the major league club, where he jumped right into the starting rotation. �His first two starts were excellent — 6 shutout innings, then 7 no-hit innings — but he struggled over the rest of the season. �He made a total of�9 starts and earned a 2-6 record and a 4.03 record. �After having thrown 68.2 innings in the Yankees’ organization, Karstens pitched another 51.1 innings over the rest of the season for the Pirates. �He gave up 32 runs (23 earned) and 56 hits. �He did not walk a lot (13) and struck out 23.
Karstens returned to the Pirates’ starting rotation to begin 2009. �He made 11 starts, which generally did not go well. �In June, when Charlie Morton joined the team, Karstens was moved to the bullpen, where he usually pitched in long relief. �He made 23 relief appearances, but continued to struggle with his command. �In mid-August, back problems put Karstens onto the Disabled List. �He made three relief appearances in Indianapolis on a rehab assignment, pitching 6 scoreless innings, with 4 hits and 7 strikeouts (no walks).
Jaramillo makes team as back-up catcher
The Pirates assigned Erik Kratz to minor league camp this morning, making Jason Jaramillo the Pirates’ back-up catcher. [Link]
Kratz To Indy, Jaramillo To Back-Up
The Pirates made a quick roster move on Wednesday morning, deciding on the back-up catching question. �Erik Kratz was reassigned to minor league camp, where he will join the Indianapolis Indians again for 2010. �Jason Jaramillo, who was the back-up to Ryan Doumit in 2009, will return to that role in 2010.
That leaves the final bullpen spot and the back-up infielder spot yet to be determined. �The Pirates also have to create two spaces on the 40-man roster to make room for relief pitchers Jack Taschner and DJ Carrasco. Management has hinted that more trades or waiver acquisitions could be coming…. stay tuned.
Pirates cut Kratz, Jaramillo the backup catcher
According to Jennifer Langosch, the Pittsburgh Pirates have cut catcher Erik Kratz, making it official that Jason Jaramillo will open the season as the backup catcher behind Ryan Doumit. Officially… Read more
Prospect Watching: Neil Walker and Brian Myrow
Looking at another prospect and another veteran, who will be playing in Indianapolis:
Neil Walker (photo) was the Pirates’ first round draft pick in the 2004 draft, and the Pirates were excited to be able to sign a home-town kid. �Walker moved up through the organization, enduring a wrist injury that required surgery and a forced move from his original position of catcher to third base. �He reached the AAA level at the end of 2007, and struggled in his 19 games with Indianapolis, hitting just .203 with 3 doubles and no RBI. � He spent the entire 2008 season in Indianapolis, where he improved his defensive work at third base though did not do all that well at the plate. �He hit .242 with 25 doubles, 7 triples, 16 home runs, and 80 RBI. �Walker returned to the Pirates for 2009. �He began the season with a 5-game hitting streak, going 8-for-23. �Then he had only one hit over the next week, and not much over the rest of the month, finishing April with a .205 average, plus 3 home runs and 12 RBI. �He warmed up some in May, including three 3-hit games in the first 9 days of the month. �Walker had another 5-game hit streak at the end of the month, and ended May with a .264 average, 4 homers, and 18 RBI. �On June 2nd, on a play at first base, Walker made an awkward slide/fall onto the bag, which resulted in a dislocated left 5th finger and a sprain of his left knee posterior collateral ligament. �That bought Walker a 6-week trip to the Disabled List.
Pirates Cut Relievers; Morton Pitches Well In Loss
The Pirates moved six pitchers and one catcher to minor league camp today. �Jeff Karstens, who had been a starter for the Pirates in 2009 but was removed from the 40-man roster after the season, could be either a starter or a long reliever in Indianapolis to begin 2010. �Relievers Brian Bass, Anthony Claggett, Vinnie Chulk, Steven Jackson, and Jeremy Powell were all sent to Indianapolis. �Powell pitched for the Indians in 2009, and signed a minor league contract for 2010. �Bass and Chulk also were signed as free agents over the winter. �Also sent to Indy was another free agent, catcher Luke Carlin, who will likely play a back-up role for the Indians.
That leaves the Pirates with relievers DJ Carrasco and Jack Taschner. Neither of them are on the Pirates’ 40-man roster, so two roster moves will have to be made to accommodate them. �There are a few more players and positions who remain in question. �Infielder Ramon Vasquez seems to have lost out to a group of other infielders (Aki Iwamura, Delwyn Young, Bobby Crosby, and Ronny Cedeno) and the Pirates are trying to trade him before they have to just release him. �A decision has to be made between the two prospective back-up catchers Erik Kratz and Jason Jaramillo. The Pirates have to determine whether or not they will keep Rule 5 outfielder John Raynor. �Steve Pearce might also be optioned back to the Indians, since he has an option left and is being squeezed out by Jeff Clement at first and a host of outfielders. �Then, the Pirates just picked up reliever Hayden Penn yesterday and have promised to give him a good look before making a decision.
In today’s Grapefruit League action: � �Twins 4, �Pirates 1 �(box)
Apparently the Pirates used up all of their extra bat-power in yesterday’s 15-hit attack. �Today at Fort Myers, they managed only 4 hits and one run in the loss to the Twins. �A host of minor leaguers got a chance to have some fun with the big leaguers today, but they were no match for Twins’ starter Francisco Liriano, who allowed just 3 hits and 3 walks in 6 scoreless innings. �In fact, the Pirates didn’t have a hit until the 5th inning, when LF Robbie Grossman singled. �SS Bobby Crosby and C Jason Jaramillo also singled. �The Pirates’ only run came in the 9th inning, when 2B Shelby Ford tripled, then scored on C Erik Kratz’s RBI ground out.
Pirates cut seven, roster almost set
The Pittsburgh Pirates cut seven players today, according to Rob Biertempfel. Those players were Brian Bass, Vinnie Chulk, Jeff Karstens, Steven Jackson, Jeremy Powell, Anthony Claggett, and Luke Carlin. The… Read more
Pirates cut seven
The Pirates reassigned catcher Luke Carlin and pitchers Brian Bass, Vinnie Chulk, Anthony Claggett, Steven Jackson, Jeff Karstens and Jeremy Powell to minor league camp this morning. The following pitchers… Read more
2010 Draft Prospects Rundown 3/29
Here is a recap of how each player did this weekend. You can click on their name to go to their draft tracker. BRYCE HARPER Harper continued to destroy JuCo… Read more
