DK’s Double Shot of Pirates: José in Bradenton!

0:00The Maps app that came with your phone, it's fine if you enjoy waiting and guessing and inefficient routes or you could use MapQuest. MapQuest is back with live directions, real-time traffic and faster routes. It moves when you move. Best of all, no prints are needed, no paper, no more misterns, just you and the app. Get there fast with MapQuest. Download the MapQuest app on the app store or visit MapQuest.com. MapQuest, still getting you there. Hey guys, welcome to Double Shot of Pirates here on DK Pittsburgh Sports. My name is Chris Hallock. Soon to be joined by Jose Negoran from Florida, where the pirates will be taking on the braves later tonight, 605 First Pitch. We have a little bit to talk about from Florida and we'll get some

1:04updates from Jose, but just in the meantime, definitely wanted to go over some of that. Well, first off, we talked about Brandon Lau yesterday. That's a pretty important thing to monitor, to see how he's doing, to see if this is, if this really was just precautionary, or if this is something to legitimately be concerned about, if it's going to threaten his start to the season, he'll start on the IEL, who knows. But the good thing is, Brandon Lau did take part in infield drills today at Lee Com Park in Braydenton. And according to what Jose reported on our app and everywhere else, he's also scheduled to take batting practice prior to tonight's game against the braves. So that's, you know, it just goes to show that first off, it's not an injury that's keeping him off of his feet. So this really

2:04does sound like it's something to be monitored. We'll get more from Jose, and he comes on. But the pirates also reassigned eight to minor league campus from our Johnson, Derek Berg, Nick Camillo, Nick Dumbowski, Juice Gourson, Adonier. I think that's how you say it. Adonier, Mosqueda, Ronnie Simon, and Davis, one, Zell. Those guys are all back in minor league camp. So we're starting to get a little closer. We're getting a little closer to the end. It's March 12th. Season starts in exactly two weeks, two weeks from today. The pirates will be in flushing New York, taking on the meta city field on opening day. So we are getting closer and closer and closer to the start of the season, which means we're going to see some more of these. And it's going to get a little it's going to continue to dwindle down. And eventually that final day, I believe it'll be March 23rd, that Monday, that final game of grapefruit league action will get that final

3:07roster or at least have a really good indication of who will make the the 26 man roster to start the season. So but and Chad, one of our one of our members here on the channel asks any news from camp today and like a like a fifth starter on the horizon. No external additions as far as I I'm aware when it comes to adding a fifth starter. But you know, just because it hasn't happened, it doesn't mean it can't happen. Time does seem to be running out. But usually any of these free agent pitchers that are potentially going to be added later on, they're working out. They're getting stretched out on their own. They especially like you look at like some of the guys who've been like in the majors for a for a while, they know what they need to do to get ready for the season. So that that stuff stuck not usually much of a much of a deterrent when it comes to adding guys right

4:08before the start of the season. But you know, we'll see we'll see what happens. I think that's another thing that to kind of continue talking about. Because I know we stress it on the show, but I think we need to continue to stress it just how much how important it is. How it like these young guys are not going to be able to log a lot of innings. They're just not Paul schemes, Mitch Keller. Don't worry about them. But Bob Achayler, Raxon Ashcraft, Hunter Barco, I would even like even though like Jose or Keede has been a guy who's logged innings before. Obviously, he, you know, has had success. He was a good pitcher for the Astros. And he pitched as many as 164 innings before. But that was in 2022. You know, since then, he's pitched a grand total of 65 and a third innings over the past three seasons.

5:14That's you're not just going to jump straight back up to being at 150 plus. So even some of the veteran guys that are in the mix might clevenger those guys that are going to be in the mix. They're not going to be able to just jump right in and be like, yeah, I can give you 120 innings, 130, 140, something like that. It's going to have to be a committee. Now, one thing that could really, really help with that is adding that fifth starter and, you know, to DK's reporting. That could be something that we see eventually. Pits asking, where is Jose Jose? Jose will be on here in just a minute. But first, we're actually going to take a really quick break to hear from our sponsor here. And then when we come back, we will be joined by Jose in Brains in Florida. This episode is brought to you by IQ Barr. IQ Barr protein bars, IQ mix, hydration mixes, and IQ Joe mushroom coffees are the delicious, low sugar, brain and body fuel that you need

6:18to win your day. All IQ Barr products are clean, labeled certified and entirely free, gluten, dairy, soy, GMOs and other artificial ingredients. IQ mix is a zero sugar drink mix that hydrates with electrolytes. It proves mood and boosts clarity. IQ Joe is a mushroom coffee design for mental clarity and pack with 200 milligrams of natural caffeine. Right now, they're offering our listeners 20% off all IQ Barr products, including the ultimate sampler pack plus free shipping. To get your 20% off, text MLB to 64,000. That's MLB to 64,000 to be a text message and data rates might apply. See terms for details. The Maps app that came with your phone, it's fine. If you enjoy waiting and guessing and inefficient routes, or you could use Mapquest.

7:19Mapquest is back with live directions, real-time traffic and faster routes. It moves when you move. Best of all, no prints are needed, no paper, no more misterns, just you and the app. Get there fast with Mapquest. Download the Mapquest app on the app store or visit mapquest.com. Mapquest, still getting you there. Jose, what's going on, my friend? How are you doing, man? You're doing well, Chris. I'd say it's a beautiful day here in Braydenton, Florida. They're quite a bit of clouds, and I felt a little, a couple of rain drops, so we'll see. Yeah, if it starts pouring down, you have permission to salvage your equipment and make sure it doesn't get ruined and head for the friendly confines of just inside, being inside out of the elements. We do have a couple of things to talk about. Nothing major today so far,

8:20but you know, talked about it to start the show. Brayden and Lau did take part in infield drills. Is there any other information that we can kind of take from what's going on with him? Yeah, he was taking infield drills here just a short time ago. I had a little bit of video there over in our pirate speed, over on the app and on the site. He is eligible to take part in bad in practice today, before today's game. Don't have clarity whether he's going to start, because the lineup hadn't been released at least by the time that I got out here, kept checking it every few minutes just to see if there was something out there. But no lineup yet, so it's unknown whether he will be in the lineup, but I mean, the encouraging sign to see him, you know, take a part in infield, like I said, he's going to take part in BP, he's scheduled to take part in BP here later. So we'll get more information on him. I'm sure, you know, just by seeing him, whether if he's in the lineup, that obviously is going to say a ton too, and obviously can talk to Don Kelly about it post game.

9:21Also, some cuts were made today, or at least some players reassigned to minor league camp. Going through the names, it didn't seem like any of those guys were gigantic surprises, even from our Johnson nut. I don't think anybody really expected him to be on the opening day roster. I'm assuming no surprises out of that. And this is just another step in the right direction of getting down the 26 guys by opening day, right? Yeah, no surprises. I mean, termar are obviously the top 10 prospects within the organization. So he's the most notable name of them, you know, two scores and was on the list, Nick Semillo, guys who obviously got some valuable experience this spring is, you know, minor league guys that were here, you know, as non roster invites. So no real surprises there. I think, honestly, there was really the only real surprise of the first two sets was to me, Brandon Bedouin, that first set of roster cuts, just because I thought maybe there was, you know, an outside chance that he could compete for

10:22a spot in the bullpen. I do think that at some point this season, we could see him making his big league debut out of the bullpen. But when it comes to the first round and then this round, kind of just what you would expect of them to be making, but it may be, you know, I don't know if it's a surprise of the guy who's not on that list. I mean, Connor Griffin still in majorly camp. So, you know, something to keep an eye on as well. It is, it is something like every time, it does seem like when there when there's a player that everybody kind of wants to make the make the opening day roster, whether you think it's the right idea or not, if that player, like every time that those round of cuts get announced, you're like, I'm gonna see his name, I'm gonna see his name, then you don't see his name, you're like, all right, he survived another wave. And now it's like, okay, how many players are they down to? No, what 46? 46. So now they're down to 46, next time there might be down to, you know, 38 or 39 or whatever it is. And then it keeps going. And

11:24if he's still there, you're like, okay, like, is this, does this mean that he's getting closer and closer to actually having a chance to make the opening day roster or, and you were, you were there, obviously, when Ben sharing to him was speaking, like at a certain point, does it just make sense for him to, like, join minor league camp if the, if the plan truly is for just him to start an Indianapolis? Yeah, well, first off, I want to just quote our, one of our favorite movies, Dumb and Dumber. So you're telling me there's a chance. We had Dumb and Dumber references on one of our shows yesterday too. I think it was our Steelers show. Whenever Dolly gave me the good old IOU for the $20 for Jalen Warren, the Jalen Warren dog fund put it right up here, but it was just a piece of paper with $20 written on it. So like, we get the, we get to actually write the IOUs here. There it is. You've got an IOU right there. This might be the most quotable movie in DKPS history.

12:25I think so. We do it all the time. But anyway, or go ahead. Anyways, there's a chance. So yeah, in regards to Connor, I mean, yeah, I mean, when you, when you hear Ben sharing can say, you know, things like, you know, we're going to do what's best for him, you know, like, you're, they're, they're thinking the along the right lines, you know, like, to me, Connor Griffin is a big leaker. Like, he's just, even at the age of 19, like, he's just special. And I know that it's unprecedented. I mean, the last teenager to make an opening day roster was Ken Griffey Jr. You know, like, that's, that's pretty good company, right? Like, it's, this isn't just some kid, you know, so, it's, but then you think about, you know, the possibility of him going down to, to AAA to start the season. And, you know, that's not a bad option either. You know, it's, it's still a guy who has, you know, what, 21 games, I believe, at AA under his belt, hasn't played above AA. There's a lot for him to learn. I think he's gaining a lot of experience

13:27this spring by just facing majorly pitching, you know, like he said it after, you know, the couple of bats he had against Max Fried the other night in Tampa. Like, he's, he's gaining a lot from it, whether he's having success or not, you know, he's, he's getting those reps against the majorly caliber or majorly talent. And, you know, he, Homer, earlier this spring against, he, against, um, God, his name just, Ranger Swarris. You know, like, he Homer against a majorly guy there. But then, again, you think, like, okay, well, it's early in camp, guys are, are still getting going. So now is the test. Like, now, at this point in majorly camp is when I think, you know, I think that's a big reason why they're keeping him in majorly camp is they want to see him go up against some of these majorly arms that are more ready for a season that are more, you know, in game shape for, for opening day. So I think, you know, keeping him around is, is a good call whether he's on this team on opening day or not because he's in the fine value in, you know, any at that, whether it results in a home run, whether it results in the, you know,

14:28a double where he's showing off the speed, showing off the hustle or he strike it out or he's lining out to, you know, the shortstop, like, he's going to find value in every single opportunity that he gets. And for a 19 year old to understand that he's finding value even when he's not having the success. I mean, that's, that's pretty incredible. Yeah, it really is. And when you look at what he's done and, and just taken into account that, you know, like you said, when you look through the history of it, and when you mentioned Ken Griffey Jr. being that, that guy, has my favorite player growing up and going through the history and, and watching that documentary that came out a few years ago on him and seeing that process of him making that, that, that opening day roster out of, out of camp when that wasn't the expectation. Like they, they did not expect him to, but he just did so. And then, yeah, as a rookie, he had a 3.3P war. I mean, he was, he was phenomenal. Yeah, 748 OPS hit 16 home runs as a 19 year old rookie.

15:32He's just an all-time great. But when you look at Connor Griffin, it is a different era, though. It is a different time in baseball. And I think the one thing, and this is actually where I'm kind of on the side of, of your typical tradition here, is you don't want to do anything to, to possibly mess this up. You don't want to rush him and think, okay, he's definitely ready for the big leagues and he's not. Even if he needed that extra month, or just, he just needed a month at AAA. I don't sound stupid to be like, there's a month at AAA, really going to make a break, it might, it might give him the, the confidence that he needs to get off to a good start to hit some legitimate pitching, some guys who have logged in,ings at the major league level before, some experienced arms, potentially. And possibly have success, get off to a good start that way whenever he does make his major league debut,

16:34he's kind of already going. You know, you're not trying to launch yourself into a career, you're kind of already going, you're in the flow of things. And then all of a sudden, it doesn't, it doesn't seem like such a monumental thing. Yes, it's still going to be a monumental thing, the fact that he would be in his second professional season after being drafted out of high school and already making the major leagues. That's monumental, but I don't think it would feel as monumental because you know, once the season gets going, you kind of get into this rhythm. It's, it's a game every day you show up to a ballpark. The only difference at that point is, no, you're going from a AAA ballpark to a major league ballpark. So it's something to definitely watch, but again, to your point, the fact that he's still in major league camp, that's still something to monitor for sure. A few more minutes. Any other news or things to watch for either going into tonight's game or just anything else coming out of Bradinson today? Yeah, I mean, definitely lous, definitely someone to monitor as we look forward to the lineup.

17:35Spencer Horowitz is back from the WBC after competing for team Israel. Should have a chance to talk with him. Hopefully this afternoon before, before game time, just about his experience. Obviously, I think the big thing with Spencer was, you know, he saw on Neil Cruz at a home run for the Dominican Republic and he's like, I'll have what he's having meet at a home right right afterwards. So, you know, when I asked him about that and just about the experience as a whole, he played for team Israel in the last WBC back in 2023. I talked to him before he left and he talked about just, you know, like this is our world cup. You know, this is a big deal for us. And I think even as you see the WBC unfold, you know, you see how much it means to a lot of these guys. You know, I think sometimes maybe from our perspective, we were like, oh, well, you know, is the WBC really that big of a deal? Like how instrumental is this to guys, you know, when it comes to being able to compete in every few years? And you could tell just by watching the games and by seeing how guys talk about it, that it's a pretty big deal in their eyes. So, really interested in talking to him kind of

18:37getting his thoughts on how the experience went. Obviously, I mean, you wanted to probably be there a little, a little suit, you know, a little later than he did. You know, you probably would rather be there than here at this point just because that means he's still playing in the tournament. But yeah, really interested in talking with Spencer and being able to see how that experience was formed. Really quick before, before we let you go, because DK and I have talked about it on the show, I don't think we've talked to you about it. Based on the Olympics, where do you stand on that? How hard do you pound the drum to see something like that? I would love to see it. I mean, I think that you see these guys representing their country in the WBC. I think it's going to be even, you know, it's going to be magnified in the Olympics setting. You know, I think it'd be great for the sport. I think, you know, it'd be great for fans and for the players to be able to compete in something like that, where they can, you know, I mean, and not, yeah, I'm not downplaying the WBC, but, you know, if you're competing in the Olympics, like that's a whole

19:39different story. It's a different level. Yeah, it's different. I think the big thing is just how it would work, you know, in regards to baseball, like, you know, is it going to be mid season? Like the NHL does it? Is it going to be, you know, during spring training? Like the WBC is not like, it's just, I don't, I don't know how they would, well, I guess it would be during the summer, right? The Olympics. Yeah, it would have to be the summer Olympics, yeah. So yeah, I, I guess I'm a spoke there, but yeah, I mean, I don't know how they would kind of go about it. Like it would be, I think it'd be tough for, you know, managers and, and, you know, players alike to kind of go through that and just go, you know, pitching, like, how are you going to get pitchers, you know, ready for the Olympics, and that's in the middle of a, a growing season, and two teams want to deal with it when they're in a playoff hunt mid season. A lot of components to it, but I'd be off for it. Really quick. Before we let you go, the lineup just dropped for today. So I'm going to go ahead and say it on the show. The lineup tonight against the Braves at

20:40Leacom Park in Braydenton, leading off Spencer Horowitz at first base, Ryan O'Hern, batting second at Wright Field, Brian Reynolds, batting third, playing left, Marcello Zona, hitting clean up as the DH, Jared triolos at shortstop batten fifth, Nick York is that second batting sixth, Billy Cook is batting seventh in, in center field, and Manuel Valdez is batting eighth at third base, and then rounding up the order is Henry Davis pine plate with Bob and Chandler on the mound. So no Brandon Lau in the lineup for tonight. Again, I don't think you look at that and you're like our pets heads are falling off or anything like that, but you just it's just another thing to kind of monitor attention to. We'll see. We'll see what that's up. We'll talk to Don Kelly. What's that? Ask him to show us where he is. Where are you Jose? Where are you exactly? So right now I'm beyond the Pirates Bullpen. Right on the boardwalk, it's in Wright Field. So you can see beautiful Leacom parts behind me here. I'll step out of the shot.

21:43Very beautiful. Beautiful Leacom right behind me. So yeah. And yeah, I mean with Brandon Lau, you know, we'll obviously talk to Don Ekelia post game and kind of get some more updates on him. And you know, good to see Spencer Horowitz back in the lineup. And you know, I wouldn't intergar to allow. They play in Port Charlotte on Sunday against the Tampa Bay race. So, you know, maybe hold him out for a few days. Maybe get him ready to go back to Port Charlotte and get him get him traveling and and facing his former team. Just just a thought. Maybe, you know, the nice little homecoming if he's, if he's healthy. That'd be pretty cool. All right. Jose, thank you so much for joining in from from Bradenton taking time out of your day to help kind of co-host the show for us. And for for right now, we're going to hop over to our penguins show, talk about penguins versus Golden Knights going on tonight in Vegas. But we'll be right back here tomorrow to round out the week for double shot of pirates, same time three o'clock. Catch you guys next time.

23:07The map's app that came with your phone? It's fine. If you enjoy waiting and guessing and inefficient routes or you could use map quest. Map quest is back with live directions. Real-time traffic and faster routes. It moves when you move. Best of all, no prints are needed, no paper, no more misturns. Just you and the app. Get there fast with map quest. Download the map quest app on the app store or visit mapquest.com. Map quest. Still getting you there.