☛ THREE UP & THREE DOWN
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The Pirates were 22-28 entering play Saturday despite a lousy April from their starting pitchers and getting only a fraction of what they expected from Mitch Keller, Bryan Reynolds and Yoshi Tsutsugo. Obviously the players deserve plenty of credit for punching above their weight. But so does manager Derek Shelton, pictured, and his staff. Preparation. Delegation. Doing things differently. Belief instilled. Culture created. There’s plenty to praise here. 2
Really like Keller, above, toying with a sinker, but it has nothing to do with the pitch or its effectiveness. He’s gone at this thing so many different ways. The sinker — something he’s never thrown before — provides an interesting distraction or a possible dose of perspective for someone who certainly seemed to be stuck in a rut. 3
Have watched Daniel Vogelbach this season be relentlessly positive with teammates after tough losses, goof around with coaches’ kids as they scampered through the clubhouse, crack jokes with Shelton and be the life of the party after wins. The more we see, the more impressed I am with how he carries himself. The Pirates have needed that type of personality for years.
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I don’t understand what the Pirates are doing at first base — or shortstop, for that matter. Yes, Mason Martin, pictured below, has struck out a lot. He’s also done his job by hitting for power, tying for the third-most extra-base hits in Class AAA (28) as of Saturday morning. Others have received chances without being finished products. Why not here? Let’s see what the kid can do.
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Remember when the Pirates held an open competition for the starting shortstop job between Kevin Newman, Cole Tucker and Erik Gonzalez? Feels like forever ago, no? Now look. Newman may have played his last game with the Pirates. Gonzalez obviously has. And Tucker is in DFA limbo at the moment. Not ideal. Focus now should be Oneil Cruz and Liover Peguero. 3
Not Pirates-related, but could Josh Donaldson possibly be any more clueless or tone-deaf? Not only referring to Tim Anderson as Jackie Robinson — yep, not even close to comedic material there, bud — but then trying to play the victim card because other Yankees wouldn’t support him? Absolutely absurd. Go live with Trevor Bauer on a remote island somewhere.