The further we get into camp, the clearer things get about how certain players will be used during the upcoming season.
We found out that Bubba Chandler would focus solely on pitching for the upcoming season, looking to focus on the part of the game most believe he has the brightest future doing.
Now it appears that Cody Bolton will pitch out of the bullpen for the 2023 season after splitting time between there and the rotation last year.
Quick minor-league note: Cody Bolton is going to be a reliever this year. He split time as a reliever and starter season year as a way to get more innings, but Pirates want to see him out of the bullpen.
Bolton ranks No. 23 on the Pirates' top 30 Baseball America prospects list.
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) March 3, 2023
He made his first appearance in Spring Training on Friday, pitching an inning while striking out two batters.
After not pitching since 2019, Bolton returned to the mound in 2022, putting together a solid season, especially for not pitching in a couple of years. Making 30 appearances last year, 14 of which were starts, Bolton posted a 3.09 ERA, while striking out 82 battings across 75.2 innings.
His walks were on the high side (12.4 BB%), and his HR/FB% was on the low side, meaning there could be regression, especially with a fly ball rate of over 40%. His xFIP of 4.85 kind of spoke to that.
The Pirates have really been safe with Cody Bolton this year. In his last outing, he struck out five in three innings pitched. #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/8tPUvokx5g
— Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) September 26, 2022
The bullpen could really be a spark for him though, allowing him to work in shorter stints, and maintain his velocity. There were some outings as a starter where his velocity dropped deeper into games. He did miss some time with COVID, so that likely didn’t help too much either.
It was easy to forget about Bolton heading into the 2022 season without having eyes on him for so long. There was a time when he was one of the best pitching prospects in the system.
While that’s not the case anymore, he does the skillset to potentially carve out a spot in the bullpen, maybe this season and could even become a multi-inning reliever almost in a Wil Crowe type role.
Henry Davis HBP, Again
This is starting to sound like some sort of bad joke at this point, as it was yet another game where Henry Davis was hit by a pitch.
I talked about how it really felt like the only thing holding him back last season was the injuries, as he has a great approach at the plate. He’s missed a lot of time since being drafted to injuries and needs to be on the field to continue his development.
Pirates C prospect Henry Davis gets hit with a pitch so he’s in midseason form #ohmygosh #HBP pic.twitter.com/Hc78mNdjYN
— Florida Prospect Report (@FLProspectPod) March 4, 2023
So seeing him get hit by another pitch in spring training is less than ideal. He is one of nine players in baseball to be hit multiple times this year already.
Whether it’s an adjustment in the batters box, or in-between the ears, something needs to change. No matter the position, it’s his bat that gives him the best chance to make an impact in Pittsburgh, but can’t do that if he keeps getting it.
But hey, he get’s on base, right?
Pirates Prospects Daily
By Tim Williams
**The Pittsburgh Pirates have the first overall pick in the 2023 draft. Every Saturday, John Dreker will preview a different draft prospect for the pick. This week begins with the number one prospect in the draft, LSU outfielder Dylan Crews.
Spring Training Recap: Phillies 4, Pirates 3
Pirates DVR: Rich Hill Slider, Kyle Nicolas, Carmen Mlodzinski
**Missed yesterday? Anthony looked at how MLB Pipeline graded the outfield depth.
Song of the Day
TODAY’S LINEUP
Pirates are at home today against the Minnesota Twins, with a 1:05 PM start time. The game is televised.
Our squad vs. the Twins.#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/vNUC3FSd6q
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 5, 2023
Anthony began writing over 10 years ago, starting a personal blog to cover the 2011 MLB draft, where the Pirates selected first overall. After bouncing around many websites covering hockey, he refocused his attention to baseball, his first love when it comes to sports. He eventually found himself here at Pirates Prospects in late 2021, where he covers the team’s four full season minor league affiliates.
Mike Rabelo increasing his stock in my book with this interview
some retaliation for hitting cutch
Not sure what gameday is showing, but Cutch got hit on the hand. Wasn’t holding it or grimacing when he walked off, but he did leave. Ump called it a foul ball — I was sitting about 30 ft away and that wasn’t the sound of a ball on wood. Anyway, Davis finished the AB and walked.
just showed him walking to the clubhouse with no ice on it
He’s supposedly fine.
sun of a
Owings sealing the deal
Hahaha, tell that to Wilbur 😃
I think it was sealed when he signed.
At least no one will lose their 40 spot, assuming that Garcia goes to the 60, then again Smith might take Garcia’ spot.
Great insight from Dejong about pitching metrics in use. Confirms Meccage is in charge of the pen.
Perdomo’s one of those lefty’s who every fifth or sixth pitch he’s going to serve up a cookie
Somebody just hit a baseball through Angel Perdomo’s window of opportunity.
I like guys like him. Every pitch is an adventure
any of these pitch clock goofs are also golf fans?
McCutchen and Reynolds hit less so far this ST. Cut them now!
Gotta give Haines a chance to do for them what he did for Yelich.
Bae hasnt played shortstop once this spring
Catro once
Cause Bae is not a SS, weak arm, not even 3b!
BR has him playing 24 games at SS in AAA in 2022; another 20 games in CF at AAA, and then 5 more in CF when called up late in 2022. When not playing those two positions, he played 2B and I think LF; not sure about RF.
Give the GM/development people credit. Today’s MLB active rosters need at least 2 and possibly 3 Utility players who can play defense, hit, control the zone, and steal bases at a better than 80% clip. That would allow a roster that would include at least 13 pitchers on the 26.
Bae is only good defensively in one position, the only tool he has is speed, that is it. He’s probably will be at best a .280 hitter maybe a .330 on base with no power but 30+ SB. I don’t get the love, but I’ve done the same with many other mediocre players so I should get it.
then that is why he will not make the team out of spring training
and also why he should not be playing center field
how did anybody think of him as a super utility player if he has a nancy arm?
Preaching to the choir!
The only way Bae does not make the 26 is if we are keeping him at AAA long enough so that he cannot make a full year of MLB Service – about 25 days will take care of that.
If they believe that Suwinski is a capable CF I don’t see a way that Bae makes it, period. That would make Reynolds the backup. Go back to AAA and see if he could become a legit CFielder.
Twins giving all their MLB players the day off.
Oh, they’ve got Split Squad two games today.
So Davis is going to receive the Ron Hunt award for the most hit by pitches in a season. That is if he ever can play a full season.
He’ll have a higher HBP than home run stat!
I never could get past O’Riordan’s voice (RIP at too young an age). But, I loved Bad Wolves’ cover of Zombie.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xbIUnnMcxNQ
Just have Davis put on full body armor.
It is an obvious move, but I’m glad it has been decided, Bolton doesn’t have the velocity that will wow people, but I think he has the ability to K batters, something the bullpen sorely lacks.
Your Puerto Rican dude Deleon was dealing today! Totally had our hitters baffled.
And Miranda destroyed a fastball, if only they played for us I’ll be more excited!
Does Molina have a decent team for WBC?
Pitching is always gonna be a thing, last time they almost pulled it off with Seth Lugo….now they are banking on Berrios and Stroman. At least the Diaz brothers in the back end is solid. Many players that are in Stroman, underwood situation choose to play for the US. e.g. Arenado and when Arrieta was a good pitcher could’ve join the team, both of those players have Puertorican heritage….
You’ve got Underwood, just learned with Robbie interview.