Rum Bunter » John Raynor

Who Do the Pirates Cut?

Tom Smith — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 04:49:57 +0000

The Pirates will make a flurry of roster moves today. We don’t believe any of the position players involved will have an impact with the major league club six months from now. Nonetheless, let’s give our opinion on John Raynor, Ramon Vazquez, Steve Pearce, Hayden Penn, and Jack Taschner. We really think it comes down to Raynor and Vazquez. Yawn. We don’t see either making the impact the Pirates need in the first month to overcome the tough schedule. (more…)

Ten Positives for the 2010 Pirates Grapefruit League

Tom Smith — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:45:36 +0000

The Pirates aren’t piling up many wins in the Grapefruit League this season. In fact, most of the team stats have the Bucs near the bottom. Sure we could focus on that, but I just spent three days in our nations capital, I have heard enough bad news this week. So let’s drink some kool aid.

Andrew McCutchen has hit safely in six of his last seven games.

Lastings Milledge has reached base safely in 10 of his last 12 games.

Delwyn Young had two more RBI yesterday and came in to play third base.

Ronny Cedeno has a seven game hitting streak and has reached base safely in eight straight games.

Six of Bobby Crosby’s eight hits have gone for extra bases.

Ryan Doumit has reached base safely in seven of his last nine and nine of 13 overall.

Aki Iwamura has reached base safely in five of his last seven games.

John Raynor had two more walks yesterday in his two PA, and scored two more runs.

Jack Taschner has twelve K’s.

Brendan Donnelly has been scored upon in one of his six outings.

Revenge Day for Charlie Morton as Yankees Travel to Bradenton

Tom Smith — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:26:27 +0000

Charlie Morton gets the start today. The Grapefruit league hasn’t been anything like Morton dreamed. The Pirates brass have repeatedly stated that Morton has the best stuff on the pitching staff. But Morton has yet to show that dazzling stuff in a spring training game.

So if it’s also true that Morton lacks self confidence, today would be a great time to start building that confidence. And what better team than the World Champion NY Yankees is there to do it against?

The Yankees have C.C. Sabathia on the bump. The big lefthander has been similar to the Pirates starters effectiveness this spring training. He has pitched 4.1 innings and allowed nine hits and five earned runs. The Pirates offense helped bump his ERA to over 10 with their performance against the Yankee star last week. (more…)