July 30th Update

AAA: Indy crushed Norfolk, 11-3.

• Daniel McCutchen won his 10th game as he threw 7 scoreless innings.
• Shelby Ford went 5-5 with a 2-run homer.
• Neil Walker went 3-5 and crushed 2 home runs and got 4 rbi's.
• Argenis Diaz went 0-5.

AA: Binghampton won the 1st game, 5-1, but Altoona took the 2nd game, 2-1.

• Daniels Moskos won his 8th game as he threw 5 innings with only 1 earned run.

Low-A: West Virginia beat Hagerstown, 8-3.

• Tony Sanchez 1-4 with an rbi.
• Robbie Grossman 3-5 with an rbi and a run.

Class A Short Season: Spikes lose to the Jammers, 9-4.

• Brock Holt knocked a 3-run homer.

DSL: Pirates lost 9-8 to the Yankees.

• Diego Goris went 4-5 with a double, home run, 2 runs, and 3 rbi's

VSL: Mets beat the Pirates, 8-2.

Trades Trades Trades

The Pirates have been included in another trade, this one with the Cubs. We have shipped out John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny, in exchange for right-handers Kevin Hart, and Jose Ascanio and a middle-infielder, Josh Harrison. Kevin Hart, 26, is a solid pitcher, so far in his 8 MLB starts this year he is 3-1 with a 2.60 ERA. He really knows how to pitch, but isn't an overpowering pitcher. Jose Ascanio, 24, can fill in as a Starter or Reliever, and he can throw some pitches, but his control isn't great. Lastly, Josh Harrison, 21, looks to be a solid hitter, with some speed. Kevin Hart will join the Pirates, Jose Ascanio will go to Indy, and Josh Harrison will go to Lynchburg. I will follow these three as well as some of the other aquired players. All in all this was a good trade, I'm starting to approve of Neal Huntington, but I won't like him till we fiinally become a winning team. Lets Go Bucs!

July 29th Update

MLB: Giants win in extras with walk-off hit, 1-0.

• Zach Duke pitched a great game with 7 scoreless innings.
• Matt Cain threw 9 shut-out innings, of course.
• Matt Capps lost another game for the Buccos, shocker.

AAA: Indy losses to Norfolk in walk-off fashion, 6-5.

• Robinzon Diaz went 2-4 with a solo shot.
• Tagg Bozied went 3-5 with a double, and a ribie.

A: Another walk-off? Lynchburg also lost in walk-off fashion to Wilmington, 2-1.

• Jeff Locke threw an excellent game, he threw 6 innings with only 1 earned and 7 K's.

Low-A: West Virginia's rally falls short as they lose 8-7 to Charleston.

• Starling Marte went 2-5 with a 3-run blast.

DSL: Pirates destroy the Cubs, 19-5.

• Diego Goris went 3-5 with a double, 2 runs, and 5 rbi's.

GCL: Pirates top Yankees, 3-1.

• Rogelios Noris went 2-4 with a double and a 2-run homer.

VSL: Pirates beat Cards, 5-4.

Another Trade?

For the second time today, the Buccos made a trade. Freddy Sanchez has been traded to the San Francisco Giants, in exchange for Tim Alderson. Now I would be mad we traded Freddy, but Alderson is a huge prospect. Tim Alderson, 21, is a 6'7" right-handed pitcher, with great command. His command is so good he barely walks batters, not to mention he has a solid curveball that keeps getting better. I am very happy with this, because he will most likely be a starter in the majors in a few years.

Wilson and Snell Get Dealt

Jack Wilson and Ian Snell where traded to the Mariners for 5 players. The Mariners gave up Ronny Cedeno, Jeff Clement, Aaron Pribanic, Brett Lorin, and Nathan Adcock. Short stop Ronny Cedeno, 26, is the only one on an MLB roster, but has been nothing spectacular. Cedeno is in an 0-24 drought, and is hitting .167 this year. Jeff Clement is the biggest name that we got out of this, he was a 1st round pick back in 2005. He is killing the ball in AAA, he has 14 Hr's and 68 Rbi's, but you can see all that if you click the link on his name. Clement has struggled in the majors and had surgery on his knee last year, so there are still questions. Jeff can play 1st Base and Catcher, but if he gets called up to the Pirates he'll most likely start at 1st. He will start in AAA, but if Pearce doesn't start amazing management Jeff should get the call. Aaron Pribanic, 22, is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is decent at the moment. He can throw pretty hard, his fastball has reached 94 mph. His Slider, Curveball, and Changeup are nothing to special. Brett Lorin, 22, is also a right-handed starter, who is doing well in A. Brett is a big guy at 6'7", 245 pounds, and can throw with some decent speed. His fastball ranges 88-92 mph, and his Curveball and Changeup are said to be average. Lastly, Nathan Adcock, 21, who is also a right-handed starter, has struggled this year. He might be the best pitcher of the three we got, as he has got some good stuff. He has three pitches, his fastball, which ranges between 89-92 mph, a pretty good Changeup, and a spectacular Curveball. His biggest problem is control, if he can get good command he should be a solid pitcher. I have high hopes for this group and hope they all prosper and do well with the Bucs. Lets Go Bucs!

Trade Deadline Almost Here

The Pirates are looking to trade some more Veterans for prospects, like we do every year. Freddy and Jack will not have a chance to talk contract extension until after the trade deadline, but by then they will most likely be gone. The Red Sox are looking at Wilson, and the dreaded Cubbies are looking at Freddy and possibly John Grabow. The Pirates have discussed possibilities of trading Matt Capps as well. Snell and Gorzelanny are also drawing alot of notice in AAA, the Yankees have scouted Snell in his past two games. Even Zach Duke is trying to be obtained by the Phillies. Charlie Manuel wants to get Duke, but if that happens I will be furious. Unless they offered J.A. Happ and Kyle Drabek then I would be happy to see that trade happen. We have alot of pieces that we may move, I guess we will wait and see. I will write posts about most trades that I find interesting between any teams. Lets Go Bucs!

July 27th Update

MLB: Pirates were dominated by Tim Lincecum, as the Giants won 4-2.

• Tim Lincecum struck-out 15 and threw a complete-game.
• Delwyn Young made an incredible catch as Garrett Jones missed a catch, and kicked the ball before it touched the ground, Delwyn dove and caught the ball bare-handed. Problem was the umpire some how thought the ball hit the ground, garbage call.

AAA: Indy beats Buffalo 4-3.

• Tom Gorzelanny threw a solid 6.2 innings with 2 Er, 6 K's, and got a no-decision.

AA: Altona takes a tough 10-6 loss to Binghampton.

• Pedro Alvarez went 0-4 with a Run and Rbi.

A: Lynchburg was shut-out by Wilmington, 1-0.

• Matt McSwain lost his 6th game, even though he pitched a great game with 7 innings with 1 Er.

Low-A: West Virginia no-hits Charleston and wins 4-0.

• The no-hitter was contributed by newly aquired pitcher Hunter Strickland, and Diego Moreno.
• Strickland threw 6 innings and 5 K's.

Class A Short Season: Spikes win 8-5 against Auburn.

• Carlos Silva went 4-4 with 3 Doubles, an Rbi, and a Run.

DSL: Pirates win a close one against the Rays, 8-7

• Alberto Valdemora went 1-4 with a 3-run blast.
  

GCL: Pirates beat the Blue Jays 4-3.

• Andrew Walker went 2-3 with 2 Runs, and 2 Doubles.

VSL: Pirates beat by the hot bats of the Mariners, 12-9.

• Mariners get 19 hits!
• Mariners commit 6 errors, and the Pirates commit 5 errors.
  

July 24th Update

MLB: Pirates dominated the D-Backs 10-3.

• Garrett Jones crushed his 10th Hr with a 2-run shot. He has hit 10 Hr's in 19 games, this is ridiculous I've never seen anyone do this.
  
• Brandon Moss went 2-4 with 2 Rbi's and a Run.
• Duke got the W with a decent start as he went 6.1 innings with 3 Er.

AAA: Indy beat Buffalo 3-1.

• Eric Hacker picked up his 3rd W as he threw 7 innings without an Er.

AA: Altoona lost a close one to Akron, 2-1.

• Jose Tabata 3-4
• Daniel Moskos lost as he threw a solid 6 innings 2 Er.

A: Rain Out

Low-A: Power beat the Sand Gnats 4-1.

• Robbie Grossman: 2-3 with an Rbi and a Run.
• Casey Erickson gets the win as he throws 5.1 innings with 1 Er.

Class A Short Season: Spikes beat the Scrappers 10-6.

• Ed Garcia went 1-4 with a 3-Rbi Triple.
• Baker, Holt, and Rubinstein get 2 Hits and 2 Rbi's each.

DSL: Pirates lose to the O's/Brewers 4-2.

• Jesus Vasquez went 2-4 with an Rbi Triple.

GCL: Tigers top Pirates, 3-1

VSL: Pirates beat Tigers 6-1.

• Francisco Vilchez threw 5 shut-out innings and struck-out 7.
• Junior Sosa went 2-3 with 2 Rbi's, 2 Runs, and a Double.

July 23rd Update

MLB: Pirates pen finally fell apart as they lost to the Diamondbacks, 11-4.

• Garrett Jones hit his first Rbi basehit, his other 11 Rbi's were from HR's.
  
• Ryan Doumit hit a 2-run blast.
• Charlie Morton struggled going 4.2 innings and allowing 4 runs.
  
• Meek (L) .2 innings 2 earned. Grabow .1 innings 3 earned. Veal 1 inning 1 earned.

AAA: Indy wins on wild pitch vs Durham, 4-3.

• Argenis Diaz went 0-2 with a walk.
• Erik Kratz went 3-5 with a double, a Run, and 2 Rbi's.
• Brad Lincoln had a quality start, going 6 innings with 2 earned and 6 K's.

AA: Altona shuts-out Reading, 8-0.

• Pedro Alvarez went 2-4 with 2 Rbi's
• Gorkys Hernandez went 2-4 with 3 runs, and an Rbi.

A: Lynchburg lost 8-3 to Potomac.

DSL: Pirates get destroyed 17-3 by the Marlins.

• Jimy Hernandez went 1.1 innings with 7 earned.

GCL: Pirates shut-out Tigers, 1-0

VSL: Pirates beat Mets, 5-2.

• Kelly Aponte went 1-3 with a HR, an Rbi, and a Run.
  

Bye Bye LaRoche

Today, Adam LaRoche was traded to the Boston Red Sox in a 3 player trade. The Red Sox are looking for players as they have been struggling as of late. Boston gave up shortstop Argenis Diaz, and right-handed pitcher Hunter Strickland. They are both minor leaguers, Diaz has been assigned to Indianapolis, and Strickland will join West Virginia in the Rotation. Diaz is a solid glove in the field, but his bat is not the best. Diaz has been a decent batter in 2007 and 2008, but this year his stats are down. I believe Argenis Diaz will get better, and is a future Major Leaguer. As for Hunter Strickland he is a young guy who at this point needs work. He throws a decent fast ball that is averaged at 88-91 mph. He also throws a Changeup and a Slurve, once again nothing special. At this point I can't say if I think he'll be good, but I will follow and show you what both of these players are doing in my minors update.
Argenis Diaz:

	year	team	lg	level	org	age	g	ab	r	h	2b	3b	hr	rbi	tb	bb	so	sb	cs	avg	obp	slg	ops
	2007	Greenville	SAL	A	Bos	20	99	405	62	113	25	5	2	40	154	36	92	5	9	0.279	0.342	0.380	0.723
	2008	Lancaster	Cal	A	Bos	21	71	256	31	72	9	6	0	29	93	20	60	3	2	0.281	0.330	0.363	0.693
	2008	Portland	East	AA	Bos	21	39	139	20	40	8	2	2	23	58	10	30	0	1	0.288	0.336	0.417	0.753
	2009	Portland	EL	AA	Bos	22	76	277	21	70	14	1	0	24	86	21	60	7	4	0.253	0.309	0.310	0.619

Hunter Strickland:

	year	team	lg	level	org	age	w	l	%	era	g	gs	cg	sh	sv	ip	h	r	er	hr	bb	so	k/bb
	2008	Lowell	NYPL	A	Bos	19	5	3	0.625	3.18	15	10	0	0	0	70.2	67	32	25	5	17	59	3.47
	2009	Greenville	SAL	A	Bos	20	5	4	0.556	3.46	18	12	0	0	1	83.1	85	39	32	11	13	51	3.92