A couple of updates on players recently designated for assignment…
- Right-handed pitcher Jerad Eickhoff was outrighted by the Pirates earlier this week. As a player who had previously been outrighted in his career, he had the right to reject that outright assignment and elect free agency. However, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review relayed last night that Eickhoff was with Triple-A Indianapolis, indicated he’s accepted. He started last night’s game for Indy, throwing five innings with two earned runs, seven strikeouts and one walk. He now has a 4.73 ERA at Triple-A on the year, but struggled mightily in his lone MLB appearance, allowing ten earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. He’ll stick around as depth for the club, who could potentially trade some arms between now and the August 2 deadline.
- The Rangers announced that right-hander Demarcus Evans cleared outright waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock. Evans does not have three years of MLB service time and hasn’t previously been outrighted in his career, meaning he will head to Round Rock and try to earn his way back onto a roster spot. In 26 1/3 MLB innings this year, he has a 5.13 ERA with a strong 27.5% strikeout rate but worrisome 13.3% walk rate. In Triple-A, the control problems are even more pronounced, though in a small sample of just 12 innings. His ERA at Round Rock this year is 7.50, along with a 29.8% strikeout rate and 24.6% walk rate.
After watching that trainwreck of a game in Pittsburgh last night, it’s hard not to believe the entire team should be DFA’d. Sheesh
Hayes is not the prototypical lead off batter, he’s on constant pressure to get on base and often swings at pitches outside of the strike zone.
And for the record, Reynolds should be batting 3rd.
When they put Cruz at leadoff, he looked like a deer in headlights. At least Hayes is capable. And for the record, you only leadoff once… its all random after that
DFA Derek Shelton. He must hate pitchers the way he misuses them. You don’t leave a young pitcher such as Vieaux in to get shelled for eight runs. It isn’t a test of their ability and their manhood. It Damages their confidence reducing the probability they will put it together and only proves that the manager either doesn’t know better or doesn’t care. Granted that the Pirates are not loaded with MLB ready players, but Shelton misuses the talent they do have. Very disappointed in Shelton. Pirates need a manager who can think creatively to use what talent they have and not to try to imitate what other clubs do with different talen.
Yes, I know managers get fired and not DFA’ed, but it sounds better to DFA him.
It’s absurd he left Vieaux in to throw over 50 pitches in one inning. If he has any arm issues because of being overworked like that it falls solely on Shelton. He gave up 8 runs before recording an out in a game that was already out of hand and he’s going to keep him in there to finish the inning? They used a position player the next inning, so why not just use another one for the 8th instead of leaving in a player who clearly didn’t have anything in a game that was already a blowout.
I actually felt bad for the kid. I mean, it was shocking, and to allow it to happen to a young pitcher whose confidence is already shaky. He warmed no one up in the bullpen and by the end of the massacre, Vieaux literally had a deep red appearance
Nothing against Brewers hitters. They’re the real deal. But it’s been a while since I’ve seen pitchers consistently throwing dead red. Watch the tape. The homers off of Contreras were center cut fastballs. Vieaux, much the same. Neither had any control of their off speed pitches
I’ve said this is a process, that watching this team is difficult. Last night, it was a seismic event. Not only horrendous, batting practice pitching, but some of the worst fielding from Reynolds, Park, Cruz and VanMeter, some grotesque at bats even by “vets” like Vogelsbach, and the worst example of managing possible.
I agree. I’ve been saying for months that Shelton is not the man to guide the young buccos.
With the lack of talent this team fields on a daily basis, Hayes leads off innings quite often but I get your point
Hayes is also capable of hitting homer’s and was predicted to be a power hitter. Batting lead off has hampered his power potential
Hayes is also capable of hitting homer’s and was predicted to be a power hitter. Batting lead off has hampered his power potential
If this period in Pirates baseball doesn’t ruin him, Hayes is going to be a good player for years to come. There’s a lot of talented young players around him whom the jury is still out on.
But I’ve never heard Hayes projected as a big home run hitter. He’s a line drive hitter who I had heard was a 15-20 homer guy.
Eickhoff needs more than a lone MLB appearance. He has what it takes. I’ve followed him since he started with the Phillies. A lot of pressure coming from triple-A, especially after an injury.