Comments on: McPherson Rated Among Top Rookie Pitchers

By: John Dreker

John Dreker — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:29:55 +0000

While that is true, and I rank him a little higher than most people, there is one problem with that thinking. Major league batters won’t swing at as many balls out of the zone as minor leaguers will. So his command still needs to improve to be successful in the majors. If it remains the same, it will lead to higher pitch counts. Major league hitters will have a better scouting report than their minor league counterparts, so once word gets around he is wild, he will be in trouble

By: emjayinTN

emjayinTN — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:15:17 +0000

Justin Wilson is an absolute bulldog on the mound – all he does is WIN. Take a look at his CWS stats when he led Fresno State to the CWS Title in 2008, then look at his regular season 8-5, 4.36 ERA 99K’s/66W’s. He has always been a high walk rate pitcher from day 1, and all he does is win at every level.

By: John Dreker

John Dreker — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:19:13 +0000

Wilson should be a starter at AAA this year. He has huge upside, throws hard and can miss bats. He’s unhittable at times. If his control improves even slightly, he is a strong mid-rotation option. If he doesn’t, he is a fifth starter or a bullpen option. In the bullpen he throws high 90′s, hitting 99 numerous times.
I also forgot Andy Oliver could start for Indy. He is Justin Wilson with horrible control, which says a lot. I believe the Pirates will want to keep him in the rotation, or at least a long man to get innings. He too has high upside but no chance of reaching it without a big step in his control

By: ianmonk

ianmonk — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:55:00 +0000

I was thinking Justin Wilson, sorry.

By: ianmonk

ianmonk — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:52:20 +0000

Speaking of Tony Watson, when is he going to get a shot? Bullpen this year?

By: whiteAngus

whiteAngus — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:53:33 +0000

its not known how mcpherson will turn out, if hes a starter or a reliever, but i will give him and the organization a ton of credit for his progression as a prospect.
.
just 2 years ago, mcpherson was ranked the #49 prospect in the system by Pirates Prospect and hes worked himself up to a potential sleeper. oh, and you know who was #50? Tony Watson.

By: emjayinTN

emjayinTN — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:14:07 +0000

IR: Based on the limited time available at ST, most clubs pick 7 possibilities and make sure they get most of the reps regardless of how they are doing. They will start with Burnett, Rodriguez, JMAC, *Liriano*, and then we will see Locke, Gomez, Sanchez, etc. I think the Pirates will play the game of limiting their young guys from starting the year at PNC. I think they will have Cole, Taillon, McPherson, Cumpton, and Irwin as the Rotation at AAA, with the possibility of Gomez and the 2 LHSP’s we picked up on waivers getting starts at AAA also. Locke, Morris, Leroux, and Wilson will be at Pittsburgh to start the season.,

By: ianmonk

ianmonk — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 05:09:37 +0000

I’m seeing both McPherson and Sanchez in our starting rotation and Locke in the pen.

By: Ian Rothermund

Ian Rothermund — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 01:50:17 +0000

I’ll be happy with the rotation going into the season as long as the final two spots are earned through spring training and not just handed out. Honestly, if Cole’s ready, make him the #4 or 5 man, if McPherson looks to have it figured out, give him the job. I’d say apply that logic to any of them.

By: John Dreker

John Dreker — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:53:56 +0000

I said reliever because of the two recent injuries and the fact he has two plus pitches. As a reliever, he could lighten the workload, scrap his change-up, which is still a solid pitch, but not on the level of his curve or his fastball. He has the attack mode of a reliever and with those two pitches, I think he would be a solid late innings guy. He would be able to go all out, working in the 93-95 MPH range.
I also don’t think the change will come this soon. They have a lot of starting options not far away this year, so it will be interesting to see who they eventually move to the pen.