Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates
Tony Sanchez, the Pirates 2009 1st round pick will begin his professional baseball career with the State College Spikes tomorrow, Saturday, June 20.
He will remain with State College thru Wednesday, June 24, and will report to the West Virginia Power on Saturday, June 27.
*The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to terms with second baseman Brock Holt from Rice University today. Holt was the teams 9th round selection.
Holt hit .348 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI in 59 games as a junior for Rice.
*A National League Scout tells Inside Pittsburgh Sports, that “Pittsburgh has two potential All-Stars in Andrew McCutchen and Gorky’s Hernandez.”
McCutchen (.333 avg) has had some tough at bats at times and a few miscues in the field but he’s going to be a special player and is already showing signs of that.
Scouts believe Hernandez will be a 10 HR – 35 SB player and envision Pittsburgh being a very dangerous team at the top of their lineup and on the basepads.
*The issue for the Pirates right now is their lack of power in the middle of the lineup and it’s going to be an issue in the future.
Pedro Alvarez is the only prospect the Pirates have in their system who has the potential to be a 35+ home run hitter.
Speaking of Alvarez, he is beginning to turn the corner.
*The organization will have Jose Tabata on a strict weight training regiment this winter. They want him to bulk up and believe his conditioning needs to improve.
*There is a lot of pressure on management to stick with
outfielder Brandon Moss. Moss is batting .250 on the season while Delwyn Young is batting .485 in the month of June.
*Ross Ohlendorf (6-5) will go for his 7th win of the season tonight in Colorado.
