Liriano wins 1st

[Manfred]

Liriano looked good today against the Mets. A solid outing before giving way to relievers. I hope he continues, giving a solid #3 spot in the rotation.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Absolutely looked good. Attacked the hitters with strikes, and really blew stuff by them. Not that the Mets are a great offensive team, but who cares. He gets Milwaukee at home Thursday I believe.

Hey not to mention Jeff Locke has looked pretty good as a 4th starter....It will be tough to pull him.

With McDonald on the DL, and Jeanmar Gomez sticking in a spot start role, I'd say it will be a 3 man battle for the 5th spot with Morton, McDonald, and Karstens down the line. Because I can't see any justification on taking Locke out of the rotation right now.


Good problem to have.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Oh yeah, there is that Gerrit Cole guy waiting around.....

And while we are at it....

Cole is 2-1 in 7 starts. 2.23 ERA 26K-19BB. Guys are hitting .200 against him
His most recent start went 7 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 5 K's and 2 walks.

Obviously, you would like the walks to be a little lower, but that is a bit nitpicky.


And since we are talking Minor League pitching.....

Stolmy Pimentel (part of the Joel Hanrahan deal) is pitching in Altoona. Once, Boston's top prospect, he fell from grace in their organization's eye. He really has had a rebirth in Pittsburgh's system. at 23 years old, he could bump up to AAA soon.

2-0 in 7 starts. 1.99 ERA 35 K-21 BB. His last start was by far his worst of the year, or else his ERA would be under one.

Jameson Taillon... 2-4 3.26 ERA in 7 starts. 39 K's and 13 BB. His walks are down, but guys are hitting him a little better than the other two guys. I don't see much concern in that. He's in AA, he's allowed to struggle a bit. It is a good sign he isn't giving up freebees with walks.


At AAA, the Bucs don't have any top flight hitting prospects IMO, Tony Sanchez is still a prospect technically. He may be here soon if Martin hits the DL. Altoona has some guys that could salvage their prospect status, but nothing to get overly excited about.

BUT, at High Class A Bradenton....There is some very intriguing pieces.

Most notably, Gregory Polanco.

He is a 6-4 RF. Still a bit lanky, but has very projectable power. He is still 21 years old. But a Pirate beat writer seems to think he may be able to pass a level, or pass through one quickly, that he could be in Pittsburgh next season. Marte-McCutchen-Polanco would be without question the best OF all under 26 in the majors. This Polanco kid has pop. He is hitting .303 with 4 HR 19 RBI 9 Doubles, and 13 Stolen Bases.

Another name to keep an eye on is, Alen Hanson. He is struggling a bit this season, but had an outstanding 2012. He is 20 years old, but is a very promising Shortstop. His defense is actually really bad at this point from most accounts. So he needs work there, but he is speedy and can hit.

[Eaglealum]

Next 10 are at home vs Brewers , vs Astros, and vs. the cubs... need 7-3 or better. June thru mid July not kind on schedule, but end of year is generous, if they don't win in Sept this year they never will.