In my premium column for Patreon subscribers, I looked at the cautious approach the Pirates are taking with Paul Skenes. I agree with the approach, but broke down how it could have limits that would call for him being up before the Super Two dates pass.
Nick Gonzales was taken seventh overall in the 2020 draft. He's dealt with swing and miss issues, which have kept him in Triple-A. In the early part of the season, he's showing positive overall improvements with his strikeout rates, while still having some underlying concerns about swing and miss.
Looking at Pirates' prospects while waiting for spring....
Victor Black was the Pirates' pick in the first supplemental round (between the first and second rounds) of the 2009 draft. �A Texas native, Black signed and was assigned to State College, where he appeared in 13 games over the rest of the season. �Of those 13, 7 were starts. �The righty made his pro debut on June 30th with a 1-2-3 inning in relief, including two strikeouts. �He had some tough outings in late July, when he allowed 6 runs and 10 hits over three outings, and lasted only 2.1 innings in a start (one run on three hits and a walk). �His ERA in July was 6.97, but in August, Black settled down and recorded a 1.59 ERA. �He had three outings in which he allowed just one run and three in which he did not allow any runs. �His best performance came on August 16th, when he pitched 3 hitless and scoreless innings, allowing just one walk, while striking out 4 batters. �Black finished the season with a 1-2 record and a 3.45 ERA over 31.1 innings of work. �He allowed a total of 26 hits and 12 earned runs (plus 5 unearned runs), with 15 walks and 33 strikeouts. �Batters hit .213 against him, with right-handed batters hitting .159 (2.70 ERA) and left-handed batters hitting .283 (4.76 ERA). �Black's pitches include fiery three-quarters angle fast ball (92-94 mph), a slider, and a change. �Black looks ready to move up to West Virginia for 2010.
