Vic Black!!

FanGraphs has a great podcast up that features Altoona Curve closer Victor Black. The Curve are in Maine on a crucial roadtrip that could ultimately decide their playoff potential.  Black talks about his time in the minors and even how great it is to ride a bus twelve hours.

Black was the 49th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2009 draft and has battled injuries over the past few years.  Black is kicking in the door to Triple-A by putting up excellent results for Double-A Altoona.

“My strength is the agression and the velocity……. just the ability to go right at somebody.”  Vic Black

Black talks about strikeouts, the 12-hour bus ride–and actually says that it isn’t too bad–he’s just glad he has a seat on the bus after missing so much time.  He also talks about his pitches and his ability to get the key out by overpowering opposing hitters.

Wait until you hear about him throwing the ball to the backstop….on purpose…hilarious!

The 98-MPH fireballer talks about injuries, and how it makes him appreciate baseball even more than he had in the past.  Black mentioned that he kept throwing through the pain.

In a moment of what just happened?  Black discusses the possiblity of being the future closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates after being called that by the interviewer

It’s an interesting interview and he sounds like a sharp guy.  His answers are detailed, if you have thirteen minutes, go check it out.    Without question, Vic Black does have the stuff to keep climbing the ladder should he continue to pile up the strikeouts as he has done this season.

The link to the podcast is here.

As the dog days drudge on, the Pirates are going to be looking around for some help to strengthen their roster before the month ends when rosters must be set.  We have heard Neal Huntington talk about some waiver claims, we have seen teams like the Giants strengthen their roster by claiming relievers, so what might the Pirates do?

August 12, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Juan Cruz (37) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 11-5. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

We think help is in the system and you know most of the names on the Pirates radar in Bryan Morris, Chris Leroux and Justin Wilson.  But we want you to consider a couple of under the radar options.

It’s hard not to see Tim Wood jump off the screen when we read recaps on the Indians games.  Currently, Wood is on quite a ten game run, but we’ve seen this before.  The Indians closer has piled up 17 saves, but more importantly, he has pitched two innings about every third appearance and just look at the results.

Wood has allowed one earned run in his past ten games, 14.2 innings.  Look at those impressive strikeout to walk ratios as well before you dismiss Wood as a candidate that could help the Bucs.

You look at his numbers and might think yeh, but those numbers don’t jump out for you.  Take a closer look, Wood gave up seven earned runs in the month of April which put him behind the eight ball.

But he was stupid in the month of May, allowing just one earned run over 19.2 innings pitched.  It continued in June when he repeated that success and gave up just one earned run again, this time over 12.2 innings.  He came back to earth in July giving up five earned runs in sixteen innings, setting up the excellent start you can see he is having in August.

Wood was named the best reliever in the International League by Baseball America last week.  Clint Hurdle isn’t big on using young players in crucial situations, but we can’t help recall when he showed trust in Tony Watson last season.  It was a big moment against the Diamondbacks, and Watson shined.  He’s been a go to reliever for Hurdle ever since.

However, Hurdle hasn’t used youngsters very much this season.  We recall Bryan Morris getting the call–and sitting. We can see how well Jeff Locke is being used currently.

The next two weeks are very important and we trust the Bucs will gain some ground.  They might need to bring in some fresh arms to make that happen.  Wood would be one to consider in the mix, he’s pitching as well as anyone.

But Neal Huntington touched on the fact that he doesn’t want to rob the minor leagues of players who can help get their clubs into the playoffs.  The Tribe have been playing very well as they lead the International League in wins, and the Altoona Curve are on a big road trip that begins up in Maine today.   The Curve are fighting to get back in the playoff hunt.  Taking a pitcher like Wood out of their mix would hurt, grabbing a pitcher like Vic Black from Altoona would also sting.

If you’re not familiar with Black, you should be. A guy with 98 mph heat doesn’t come around often. (Also, be sure to check out our upcoming podcast to hear more) Black has been striking out bad guys at a prolific rate. We think Black getting the call is very unlikely, but read his numbers anyway. You need a pick me up today.

Players like Wood and Black are solid.  So grabbing Bryan Morris might not hurt Indy as bad as one might think, and since he came up already this season, he should be brought up if Juan Cruz continues to struggle.  But Tim Wood wouldn’t be a bad option either.  Obviously it’s not our call, but the Pirates do have many options in their own system, which is at least comforting to know.  Now if they get an opportunity is another story.