With the trade deadline just two weeks away, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Pirates Prospect Promotions:
This evening’s game against the Guardians is shaping up to be a significant one for the Pirates, as the club is poised to call up a trio of prospects prior to the game tonight. Reports began circling over the weekend that right-handed pitching prospect Quinn Priester would be taking the ball for his MLB debut tonight, while last night news broke that he would be joined by catcher Endy Rodriguez and infielder Liover Peguero, the latter of whom will be returning to the big leagues after a one-game cup of coffee last year.
The trio of top 10 prospects in the Pirates system have all generated top-100 prospect buzz throughout their careers in the minors. Rodriguez is the best known of the bunch, as a consensus top 55 prospect in the sport entering the 2023 campaign. Priester, entered the 2023 campaign ranked 60th by MLB Pipeline. Peguero isn’t on any top 100 lists at the moment, though he was a consensus top 80 prospect prior to the 2022 campaign. Rodriguez and Peguero are both already on the 40-man roster, but an opening will need to be created for Priester before he can join the team. Of course, space will need to be cleared for all three on the active roster prior to tonight’s game as well.
2. Reds to promote CES:
The Pirates aren’t the only club promoting a top prospect today. The youth movement in Cincinnati is set to continue this evening with infield prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand set to join the club for tonight’s game against the Giants. Encarnacion-Strand is currently ranked 88th on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 list and has had an incredible season in his first taste of Triple-A action with Louisville. In 316 plate appearances at the level, Encarnacion-Strand has slashed .331/.405/.637, good for a wRC+ of 153. The 23-year-old is not yet on the 40-man roster, so a corresponding move will be necessary to create space for him.
In promoting Encarnacion-Strand, the Reds will create a bit of a logjam in their infield. With future Hall of Famer Joey Votto raking 77 plate appearances into his age-39 season, the Reds will have to juggle playing time for him, Encarnacion-Strand, Spencer Steer, Elly De La Cruz, Jonathan India, and Matt McLain around the infield. While the DH slot should ease those issues to an extent, with six infielders seemingly due for regular playing time and only five spots in the lineup available to them, the Reds will either have to make difficult decisions regarding their infield mix or lean heavily on the limited experience of both Steer and Encarnacion-Strand in the outfield corners.
3. McClanahan to return:
Rays lefty Shane McClanahan has been on the 15-day injured list since the beginning of the month with mid-back tightness. After just over the minimum time away, he’s poised to return to the mound today in a start against the Rangers tonight in Texas. McClanahan’s return is sure to take pressure off right-handers Tyler Glasnow, Zach Eflin, and Taj Bradley, who have operated as a three-man rotation in McClanahan’s absence.
The lefty was dominant in 17 starts prior to going on the IL, with a 2.53 ERA and 3.86 FIP in 96 innings of work. While those numbers are certainly impressive, they’re actually inflated by a pair of shortened starts during which McClanahan was battling the injury that eventually sent him to the shelf. Through his first 15 starts of the season, McClanahan appeared to be the clear front-runner for the AL Cy Young award this year with a sterling 2.12 ERA in 89 1/3 innings of work.
Love seeing this wave of Cherington drafted/acquired prospects coming through.
Pirate fans: how do you think your team will handle the catching position with two catching prospects and Hedges?
Delay will be optioned to Indy and Davis will remain in right field. Endy will be the catcher and fill in for Santana at first base on occasion.
Hedges will remain with the team helping Endy to become a better catcher handling major league pitching
I also suspect Marcano will be optioned to Indy as his offense has not improved from last year
Delay is DFAd. I hope that They put Rodriguez or Davis behind the plate and the other in RF until one proves themselves.
There’s no reason to DFA Delay when he still has minor league options. Hedges won’t be on the roster August 2 one way or another, so keeping Delay on the 40 man roster is the way to go just in case something happens to Endy or Davis.
I’m just hoping….I’ve seen enough. As long as he stays there.
According to Shelton, both Delay and Palacios were optioned to Indy and Bolton was DFAed.
And Endy will get the bulk of the catcher duties from here on in, Hedges will serve as the backup
Endy plays 1B and a little 2B besides catching. Delay or someone needs DFAd as Priester needs a 40 man spot.
Pretty sure Cody Bolton is the one getting DFAd for Priester. Or someone like Cal Mitchell who has probably run out of chances.
IMO:
Near term: Delay will be sent down Endy will take over the primary catching after a week or so.
Later: Hedges Traded, Endy starter, Davis Backup Delay on stand by If they choose to put Davis back there having Delay on stand by if those two dont cut it.
My dog would be an improvement over Delay. He’ll stay at Indy barring injury to Endy or Davis
Nice to see this burgeoning Pirates resurgence.
Keep it going.
When do you estimate Skenes to be in the show?
This time next year barring injury.
Mid to End to end 2024 if there are injuries and he is doing the right things. then out of spring 2025.
Else mid 2025 while he does some side work in batting practice.
Assuming he is healthy
They have only until July 25 to sign Skenes or he can re-enter next year’s draft or decide to complete his degree at LSU
Skenes is going to sign. He would have to turn $9+ million down and extend his wait for FA an extra year and still potentially pitch for a bad team after being drafted again next year. No guarantee that he goes 1-1 again either
I agree, but in an interview during yesterday’s game, when asked about his signing to Cherington, he gave no indication that it was imminent
He prolly not allowed to spoil the big team announcement so can’t give hints;.
At the earliest next mid season if the Pirates are contending. Most likely 2025.
They have to actually sign Skenes first
I’m trying to see the Pirates resurgence. I guess I’ll believe it when I see it. These call ups join a much ballyhooed group that’s already here and have largely shown that they likely really weren’t ready.
Hope for the best. Pirates fans have heard it all before. Prove it
I’m all in for the youngsters being promoted but I’m also skeptical because hitting in the minors doesn’t always translate into hitting major league pitching
Marcano is an example as is Palacios
Both were hitting above .400 for a good stretch playing earlier at Indy and neither translated that at the major league level
But it is time regardless, these players are supposed to be the future so let’s see what they can do to help this team
Of course playing for the worst manager in baseball won’t help their confidence. Shelton is a player’s manager but he lacks critical thinking skills and discipline.
Can’t see Skenes turning down $9+million to pitch Indy ball for literal peanuts and extend his potential FA date and extra year for literally nothing. He will still go to a team that is rebuilding next draft anyway.
I can’t either. But stranger things have happened, I guess
CES…
Finally.
I look forward to seeing how they fit Encarnacion-Strand fit on the back of a uniform.
You could put that name on the back of a uniform but it would only fit Voglebach.
Same way as “Woods-Richardson” if you want a preview. Hint. It looks ridiculous.
They went with just Encarnacion.
I’m excited for these pirates prospects to arrive in mlb, but they need to give Andujar a real, honest, solid rest of the year look with everyday at bats. He’s smashing the crap out of the ball in AAA….which really doesn’t help the mlb team. They need to see if he can hit given a long for real chance again. If not….then they can move on from him. He has shown he has the talent to play well at true mlb level.
they’re probably waiting to see if they can trade Santana before promoting Andujar but I agree
A team that lacks offensive depth needs to consider his ability to score and produce runs
Christian Encarnation-Strand could very well be the straw which breaks the camels back in terms of Derek Falvey’s time with the Twins. If CES puts up All Star-like numbers, I just don’t see Joe Pohlad keeping Falvey around.
Shelton left Priester in too long in last night’s game and should have got someone in the bullpen warming up when they Cleveland scored their 3rd run
Shelton constantly misuses his players, last night was no exception and not that allowing Priester to stay in the game would have made a real difference considering the offense again was its usual anemic self, it should have been about Priester’s confidence and taking notice that his pitches were hanging over the plate and being hit to all fields