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Morning Report: The Return of Nick Kingham

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On Thursday, the big news was of course the start by Tyler Glasnow in St Louis. As a prospect site that has covered his entire career since being drafted, it was a big day on the site. There were four articles yesterday dedicated to Tyler Glasnow covering every angle. One of those articles had links to many of the best articles over the years we have followed him.

Mitch Keller came into the system with a little more fanfare as a second round pick and someone who received $1,000,000 to sign. So while we covered the early days of Glasnow, the coverage for Keller has been a little heavier early on in his career. He had a nice outing on Thursday night, the second game I’ve covered live for him. I’ve also analyzed games which were available on MiLB.tv. So I have a pretty good idea what to expect when I see him, which allows me to assess his progress.

Glasnow might not be up in the majors for good, we will find that out soon. He is the immediate future though, while Keller is the “2-3 years down the line” future if everything continues to go well. You can also assume that you will get plenty of coverage for Keller as he moves up the ladder, especially when you see how much we have provided for Glasnow, with half of it coming before we expanded the site. Glasnow gets the majority of the attention, but Keller turned heads when he had starts early this season that were reminiscent of Glasnow when he was in West Virginia.

That leads me to the important pitcher going today because the immediate future and distant future were getting all of the headlines. A few times since Glasnow’s start was announced, I have seen people guess what the future rotation could be for the Pirates. The name almost everyone leaves out is Nick Kingham. I’ll say that it’s highly unlikely he’s an option to begin next season in the Pittsburgh rotation. In fact, Trevor Williams goes tonight for Indianapolis and he has a much better chance for an Opening Day spot for the Pirates. Those rotation guesses just show that Kingham is a forgotten man.

As I mentioned, I doubt we see Kingham in Pittsburgh next April. That’s not because of Super Two concerns with him. You save Super Two for the elite prospects, not every prospect. Kingham’s issue will be what we have seen with Jameson Taillon this season, and that’s limiting his innings in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. It’s easier to do that in the minors at first, starting the player on a limited pitch count and making sure the innings/pitch totals don’t get too out of hand.

I thought the Pirates could have done a better job limiting Taillon before he came up, but you might see Kingham handled a little differently if they decide to tweak their approach. First he needs to perform well though, his call-up isn’t guaranteed. That isn’t to say that what he does today is at all important to his status next year. The performance aspect will come into play next year. This year is all about keeping him healthy and putting in his work for the next two months, then likely it will continue into the Fall Instructional League.

A good comparison of what we could expect from Kingham’s workload this year is probably what we saw from Clay Holmes last season. The reason for that is simply because of the timing of his return. Holmes began last year in the GCL on June 23rd. Kingham is obviously a couple of weeks behind that, but Holmes was also shutdown with two weeks left in the season, so it evens out fairly well. Holmes opened with 3.2 innings, which is probably more than we will see from Kingham. Whatever he starts at, he will then work his way up an inning at a time. The normal progression is 1-2-3-4-4-5-5 and then he will probably be capped there this season.

Holmes got in 36.1 innings in nine starts last year. I could see Kingham finish around that mark this year, which leads us to what we could see in 2017 from him. Again we go back to Holmes for the comparison.

This year Holmes has thrown 92 innings so far, with one skipped start in there and a lower pitch count to start the season. With the All-Star break coming up for Altoona, they will probably use the time as another skipped start, even though he really wouldn’t be missing a start. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them push him to the back of the rotation once they start playing again next Thursday, giving him as many as 11 days in between starts.

You can expect somewhat the same from Kingham next year. Also remember that Holmes really started putting it together in his last five starts, which under normal circumstances would make him a candidate to be promoted. If you use that as a measuring tool, then it’s possible we see Kingham with the Pirates right around this time next year. Of course, you hope that there isn’t an immediate need for him, but he’s ready just in case the need should arise.

While Kingham’s start today clearly won’t be as exciting as Glasnow’s start on Thursday, it is a big step in his return. The results won’t even be that important either. What you want to see is him put in his innings this season so he is better prepared to pitch for a full season next year. He probably won’t be an option at all for the first month or so during the 2017 season, and I wouldn’t expect the same type of results as Taillon. With the way he pitched for Indianapolis this season, Taillon set the expectations bar too high for someone returning from Tommy John surgery.

Kingham will probably pitch for Indianapolis by the end of the month if all goes well, so at least he will be returning to a level in which he already has 21 starts. Taillon only had 16 starts there combined between 2013 and 2016. Because he hasn’t been pitching, it’s easy to forget Kingham, yet we are talking about a pitcher who could end up being a #3 type starter in the majors.

So Kingham’s progress is one you should be following today. Tim Williams will provide live coverage of the game, which should include video of him pitching and an interview with Kingham afterwards.

PIRATES GAME GRAPH


Source: FanGraphs

TODAY’S SCHEDULE

Today’s Starter and Notes: The Pirates lost 5-1 to the Cardinals on Thursday afternoon. They now travel home to take on the Cubs in the last series before the All-Star break. Francisco Liriano will be on the mound tonight facing off against Jake Arrieta. Liriano allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, after posting a 7.03 ERA during the month of June. He has faced the Cubs twice this year and allowed a total of 12 runs in 10.1 innings. Arrieta has a 2.33 ERA in 108.1 innings, with 115 strikeouts and a 1.06 WHIP. He has not been as good in his last two outings, allowing nine runs over 10.1 innings. Against the Pirates this year in three starts, he has allowed two runs in 21 innings.

In the minors, Trevor Williams is coming off a start in which he threw seven shutout innings and faced the minimum of 21 batters. It was a breakout performance, as he started off slow in his return to Indianapolis after his early season shoulder injury. Even with the strong start last weekend, he still has a .290 BAA and a 1.41 WHIP.

Buddy Borden makes his third start since rejoining the Pirates. He has allowed two earned runs over 8.2 innings, as he builds up his pitch count. In their last starts, Logan Sendelbach threw six shutout innings, while Cody Dickson allowed one run over six innings.

MLB: Pittsburgh (44-42) vs Cubs (52-33) 7:05 PM
Probable starter: Francisco Liriano (5.34 ERA, 55:85 BB/SO, 87.2 IP)

AAA: Indianapolis (46-41) vs Toledo (37-49) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Trevor Williams (3.97 ERA, 13:25 BB/SO, 45.1 IP)

AA: Altoona (47-38) @ Erie (37-51) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Cody Dickson (3.84 ERA, 56:50 BB/SO, 84.1 IP)

High-A: Bradenton (43-40) vs Brevard County (26-56) 6:30 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Buddy Borden (2.08 ERA, 3:6 BB/SO, 8.2 IP)

Low-A: West Virginia (42-42) @ Lakewood (36-48) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Logan Sendelbach (3.21 ERA, 23:64 BB/SO, 87.0 IP)

Short-Season A: Morgantown (10-10) vs Tri-City (9-11) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable Starter: TBD

Rookie: Bristol (8-7) vs Elizabethton (6-9) 7:00 PM (season preview)

GCL: Pirates (3-8) vs Braves (4-8) 12:00 PM (season preview)

DSL: Pirates (10-19) vs Indians (15-13) 10:30 AM (season preview)

HIGHLIGHTS

Here is Stetson Allie’s seventh homer because who doesn’t like bombs to straight away center field.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

7/7: Juan Paula promoted to Morgantown.

7/7: Tyler Glasnow recalled. Kyle Lobstein optioned to Indianapolis.

7/6: Steven Brault optioned to Indianapolis. Kyle Lobstein promoted to Pirates.

7/6: Jacob Stallings sent outright to Indianapolis.

7/6: Pirates released Clario Perez.

7/5: Gerrit Cole assigned to Indianapolis on rehab.

7/5: Steven Brault promoted to Pirates. Jacob Stallings designated for assignment.

7/5: Austin Meadows placed on disabled list.

7/5: Tomas Morales promoted to Indianapolis (sent back to Altoona on 7/6)

7/4: Jameson Taillon placed on 15-day disabled list.

7/4: Jin-De Jhang promoted to Indianapolis. Tomas Morales assigned to Altoona.

7/4: Erik Lunde activated from disabled list. Assigned to Bradenton. Raul Hernandez assigned to GCL.

7/4: Elias Diaz assigned to Bradenton on rehab.

7/4: Chris Stewart placed on disabled list.

7/4: Pirates claim Eric Fryer off waivers. Rob Scahill placed on waivers.

7/3: Pirates sign Chris McDonald and Evan Piechota. Both assigned to GCL.

7/3: Pirates sign six international free agents.

7/3: Yunior Montero promoted to West Virginia.

7/3: Curtis Partch sent outright to Indianapolis.

7/2: Pablo Reyes activated from temporary inactive list. Trace Tam Sing placed on temporary inactive list.

7/1: Julio Vivas promoted to West Virginia.

7/1: Rinku Singh assigned to GCL Pirates on rehab

7/1: Pirates sign Andrew Walker. Assigned to GCL.

6/30: Jorge Rondon sent outright to Indianapolis.

6/30: Erik Lunde assigned to GCL Pirates on rehab.

6/30: Raul Hernandez assigned to Bradenton.

6/30: Jose Regalado placed on disabled list. Tanner Anderson promoted to Bradenton.

6/30: Tomas Morales assigned to Indianapolis. Ed Easley released.

6/30: Jose Osuna promoted to Indianapolis. Jhondaniel Medina assigned to Altoona.

6/29: Pirates sign Nick King and Daniel Cucjen.

6/28: Trevor Williams activated from temporary inactive list.

6/28: Carl Anderson assigned to GCL Pirates on rehab.

6/28: Pirates sign Max Kranick. Assigned to GCL Pirates.

6/27: Pirates sign Buddy Borden. Assigned to Bradenton.

6/27: Jeff Roy assigned to Bristol.

6/27: Erik Lunde placed on the disabled list.

6/26: Pirates purchase the contract of Chad Kuhl. Kyle Lobstein optioned to Indianapolis.

6/26: Pirates designate Curtis Partch for assignment.

6/26: Pirates unconditionally release Cory Luebke.

 

THIS DATE IN PIRATES HISTORY

Seven former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, including one that went on to become a Hall of Fame umpire. We will start with John Bowker, who returned to the organization in a trade last year, after playing for the Pirates during the 2010-11 seasons. He only played for Indianapolis last year before being released. Also born on this date, 1991 pitcher Rosario Rodriguez, 1985-91 pitcher Bob Kipper, 1955-58 outfielder John Powers and pitcher Jay Parker, who made his only Pirates’ appearance on September 27,1899 and it was one he probably wanted to forget. He started game two of a doubleheader and was so erratic on the mound, he was pulled after facing two batters. He walked both and both scored, in what turned out to be his only Major League game.

Hank O’Day pitched for the Pirates back in 1885 when the franchise was still in the American Association and the club’s nickname was still the Alleghenys.  He went 5-7 in 12 starts, completing all 12 games. In his seven-year career, he had a 73-110 record on the mound, but he made his name behind the plate. O’Day umpired for 30 seasons, plus five other years he filled in the position a handful of times. He was the umpire for ten World Series, including the first one, which included the Pirates. It took awhile, but the Hall of Fame finally recognized his value in 2013.

Finally, Harry Gilbert was born on this date in 1868 and his Major League career lasted one day, but he actually played two games. On June 23, 1890, the Alleghenys/Pirates played a doubleheader in Philadelphia and used both John Gilbert and Harry Gilbert for their double play combo, the first pair of siblings to play together for the Pirates. Harry was the second baseman and he went 2-for-8 at the plate. He had two singles and scored a run, while playing flawlessly in the field. You can read more about that day in an article I wrote here.

John Dreker
John Dreker
John started working at Pirates Prospects in 2009, but his connection to the Pittsburgh Pirates started exactly 100 years earlier when Dots Miller debuted for the 1909 World Series champions. John was born in Kearny, NJ, two blocks from the house where Dots Miller grew up. From that hometown hero connection came a love of Pirates history, as well as the sport of baseball. When he didn't make it as a lefty pitcher with an 80+ MPH fastball and a slider that needed work, John turned to covering the game, eventually focusing in on the prospects side, where his interest was pushed by the big league team being below .500 for so long. John has covered the minors in some form since the 2002 season, and leads the draft and international coverage on Pirates Prospects. He writes daily on Pittsburgh Baseball History, when he's not covering the entire system daily throughout the entire year on Pirates Prospects.

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