Results tagged ‘ triple a ’
Pirates plans for Bowker, closers role in 2011
Pirates beat reporter Jenifer Langosch answered fans questions in the final inbox of 2010. You can read the entire chat here.
With the signings of Overbay and Diaz, what are the Pirates plans with John Bowker?
If Doumit remains with the club, Bowker’s best shot at making the Major League club will be earning a spot as the team’s fifth outfielder. If Doumit is dealt before Spring Training, Bowker could be the Pirates’ fourth outfielder.
While the Pirates were pleased with Bowker’s showing last September, the reality is that he has never had sustained success at the Major League level. It was too risky for the club to have to count on Bowker to play in a semi-regular role given the lack of proven results above Triple-A.
Who do you see getting the closer’s job in 2011?
This was a question asked of general manager Neal Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle at the Winter Meetings, and both avoided tipping their hand as to which way the club is leaning. Huntington said it is a decision that should be made before Spring Training, though he added that there could be a scenario in which both Joel Hanrahan and Evan Meek are used in the closer’s role. Hurdle said that he would prefer to pick one defined closer.
While I can see benefits of going to either one, I’d have to guess that the Pirates are going to go with Hanrahan. He has previous experience in the role and has a particularly nasty two-pitch mix that netted him 100 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings.
Beasley hire by Nats as Double-A Manager
Tony Beasley was hired by the Washington Nationals as manager for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators.
Beasley will replace Randy Knorr who was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse.
Beasley previously managed the Bucs Double-A Altoona club from 2004-05 and was named Double-A manager of the year in 2004. In five seasons managing the Pirates minor league system, he compiled a 374-258 record.
Beasley spent the past three seasons (2008-10) as the Pirates third base coach.
Pirates select three players in Rule 5 draft
The Pirates selected infielder Josh Rodriguez with the first overall pick in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday from the Cleveland Indians.
Rodriquez, who can play shortstop, second base, third base and outfield, has the opportunity to make the Pirates opening day roster for 2011.
It cost the Bucs $50,000 to acquire Rodriguez and must remain on the 25-man roster the entire season or he will be offered back to the Indians.
If the Pirates do not sign an upgrade for shortstop, he could be used as a utility guy.
“It’s an intriguing combination,” Huntington said. “He does a lot of different things well. He just fills a nice need for us right now. We like him as a guy to compete to make our club as a middle-[infield] utility player with upside to potentially become an everyday player.”
Rodriguez batted .293 with 12 homers and 46 RBIs in 86 games with Triple-A Columbus during the 2010 season.
The Pirates did lose right-hander Nathan Adcock by the Kansas City Royals (5th overall).
Adcock was acquired by the Seattle Mariners in the Jack Wilson trade in 2009. He went 11-7 with a 3.38 ERA in 27 games (26 starts) with high Class A in Bradenton, Florida.
“He has an average fastball with the ability to get groundballs, and there is a chance that he’ll stick,” Huntington said. “We knew by not protecting him that there was a pretty good chance of him being selected. We’re disappointed to lose him, but we couldn’t protect them all.”
The Pirates also selected two players in the Triple-A portion of the Rule 5 draft: center fielder Brad Chalk from the Padres’ and Catcher Travis Scott from the Angels.
Chalk spent 2010 with three levels: Class A where he went .191 in 26 games, Double-A where he went 214 in 65 games and Triple-A where he finished the season with a 313 average in 27 games.
“He’s a former high pick that still showed some tools,” Huntington said of Chalk, a second-round choice in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. “We figured he was worth the acquisition cost.”
Scott was with High A and Double-A for an injury plagued 2010 season where he hit a combined 254 in 37 games.
The Bucs did not select any players in the other levels of the Rule 5 draft.
Veal, Burres and Gallagher’s future with Bucs
The Pirates are continuing to negotiate with Donnie Veal and Brian Burres for minor league deals for 2011. “[We are] continuing good dialogue and continuing to remain optimistic on both fronts. [There is] nothing tangible at this point,” Huntington said.
General Manager Neal Huntington also said he was interested in stretching Sean Gallagher back into a starter. Gallagher was out righted off the waivers in November, but could be an option for the Triple-A Indy rotation.
“In a strange way, being able to outright Sean may actually help his career. We’d love to see him start. But he was caught in that no-man’s land of being out of options and not wanting to lose him so you keep him on the Major League club. In Sean’s case, this may actually help. We’d love to get him stretched back out. We love the arm. He started in winter ball. He wants to start. He’s going to be given every chance in the world to make our club. There is open mindset to him being a starter.”
Erik Kratz signs with Phillies
Catcher Erik Kratz will not be back with the Pirates Triple-A affiliate Indians next season as he signed a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.
Kratz, 30, made his major league debut during the 2010 season –which was televised and was even interviewed by MLB Network.
Kratz, 30, hit .118 (4-for-34) with one RBI for the Pirates in nine games.
Bucs have control over Gallagher for 2011
There are some minor news to clarify regarding pitcher Sean Gallagher. He was removed from the 40-man roster last week and out righted to Triple-A Indy becoming a minor league free-agent. That’s not the case. However, after further review, Gallagher has not logged enough playing time and will remain under control by the Pirates for another year.
Gallagher does not have the ability to refuse his Triple-A assignment and will not have to sign a minor league deal. There is a chance he will be invited to Pirates Spring Training in 2011.
Pirates make roster moves
The Pirates made several roster moves on Wednesday.
- Wil Ledezma signed a one-year deal with the Bucs, avoiding arbitration.
- The Pirates’ outrighted Sean Gallagher, Brandon Moss and Justin Thomas to Triple-A Indy and were removed from the 40-man roster.
- Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Ascanio and Steve Pearce were taken off the 60-day Disabled list and added to the 40-man roster.
- Jeff Clement was removed from the 60-day Disabled list and outrighted to Triple-A Indy.
- Chan Ho Park was removed from the 40-man roster and is a free agent.
Kristy Robinson
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