This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf’s Pirates Beat publication. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it recurrently in your inbox.
LOS ANGELES – In instances of slumps, it’s pure to look in direction of Triple-A for potential reinforcements. The Pirates already made one such transfer on Friday, deciding on the contract of Domingo Germán to bolster their bullpen, however he isn’t going to be the final man who will get the decision from Indianapolis this yr.
At this time, we’re going to have a look at which present Indianapolis gamers may doubtlessly make an affect earlier than the tip of the season.
It’s been over a month since we’ve seen Jones in a Main League recreation, however the rookie stud is on a rehab task and dealing his approach again. In that first rehab begin Thursday, Jones went 2 2/3 innings, and he allowed two runs on one hit and one stroll, hanging out three whereas averaging 96.4 mph on his fastball. There’s some rust to shake off, however for a 47-pitch outing, it was an encouraging first step.
“I texted him and requested him if he wanted to work on PFP as a result of I do know he took a chopper off the chest,” Derek Shelton joked. “His velo was good. It’s simply good to get him again on the mound.”
Earlier than the harm, there was numerous concentrate on Jones’ workload and inning whole in his rookie season, however this stint on the injured listing ought to quell these considerations. His well being is clearly paramount, however he’s not going to blow previous his earlier inning totals like what was initially anticipated.
So what does that proper arm seem like down the stretch? Jones at full power is a ton of enjoyable to observe. If he can flip in a robust last month and a half, it may actually assist this group and be a constructing block for the 2025 squad.
The massive query with Davis coming into the yr was if he might be ok defensively to be a Main League catcher. The reply is sure. He took an enormous step ahead as a receiver this winter, exhibiting he can construct good relationships along with his pitchers and name a very good recreation.
Now the query is: Can he hit Main League pitching?
He definitely can hit Minor League arms. Davis is crushing the ball with Indianapolis, hitting .302 with 12 residence runs, 35 RBIs and a .990 OPS. Usually, that might warrant a promotion, however the Pirates really feel fairly good about their catchers proper now. Joey Bart has been strong all season and Yasmani Grandal is a revered voice within the clubhouse who has caught Paul Skenes notably nicely. That leaves Davis and not using a spot, and stashing him in proper area once more isn’t actually an possibility both with Bryan De La Cruz now on the group — not that the Pirates would wish to undermine all that progress Davis has made as a catcher.
It appears protected to imagine we’ll see Davis within the Majors once more someday earlier than the season is thru, however it’s onerous to pinpoint precisely when that might be.
2B Nick Yorke/ 3B Billy Prepare dinner
The Pirates needed to deepen their place participant pool on the Commerce Deadline and picked up Yorke from the Pink Sox and Prepare dinner from the Orioles, two gamers who’re defensively versatile with intriguing traits as hitters. They’ve each clobbered the ball with their new golf equipment, with Yorke batting .364 with a .906 OPS in 9 video games with Indianapolis, whereas Prepare dinner is hitting .450 with a 1.350 OPS in six video games with 5 doubles, 4 stolen bases and 4 RBIs in Triple-A.
Each gamers would should be added to the 40-man roster, however contemplating they’re Rule 5 eligible this winter, they’re in all probability going to wish to have their contracts chosen anyway if the Pirates wish to maintain them. The outfield has been very fluid (outdoors of Bryan Reynolds) all season, so there would appear to be some alternative there if the Pirates wish to push a hitter as much as the Majors.
