Episode 298 - Spring Training Day Three ft. Billy Cook and Duce Gourson

0:00The average cost of a D-Wine Virginia is $11,352.47. Drinking and driving costs more than your drinks. Learn more at What'sTheDamage.org. Brought to you by Virginia DMV. Mmm, one iced coffee. 99 cents, please. For real? No way. Mmm, ah. Mmm, one iced coffee. 99 cents, please. For real? No way. Mmm, ah. What a deal. Your new morning groove. Ice coffee from McDonald's. Any size for just 99 cents to 11 a.m. Pricing participation may vary. Can I be combined with any other offer? Buh, buh, buh, buh, buh. Episode 298 of Bucko Banter. Today we talk with Billy Cook. Do Scorson. We're going to review the Tyler Callahan trade and review today's game against the Cardinals. You're listening to the Bucko Banter podcast. Brought to you by the Just Baseball Media Network. Q-Music.

1:20Welcome back to another episode of Bucko Banter. They've had some fun conversations with Billy Cook. Do Scorson and there was a trade last night. Yeah, let's talk about the trade Tyler Callahan from the Reds for right handed pitcher Kyle Nicholas. A little bit of a surprise. Yeah, I wasn't expecting that. You know, Kyle Nicholas is not here right now. He's with team Italy, so he caught the news. Well, he's, I think, what in Houston? That's where they're right in the US pool. So sad to see him go. I like Kyle Nicholas and I've always been a big believer in him. I think the stuff is legit. But they add another left handed bat in Tyler Callahan. And we've heard that this is a guy they wanted for some quite some time, so. Yeah, they wanted him in the key brine. Hey, straight apparently. This is someone who they've had their eye on. Didn't work out then. At the end of the day, I think this is depth for depth, right? Like, since an ad is going to get a pitcher that could have some, some promise. And then we got a left handed bat that Don Kelly said, it's going to play a little bit of everywhere. And it's press conference day.

2:21Alex Sumpfast says he's going to play third base. Said, yeah, but he's also going to play some outfield. He could play some other positions in the infield first base second. So you're getting more depth that this team already has. And I think that was the key today. Like you look at Billy Cook, who baits some nice plays in the outfield. They have guys that can come up throughout the year and fill in a spot if somebody gets injured. And I mean, that's just something that they haven't had and what forever. Yeah, I mean, you're looking at Billy Cook as like the sixth, seventh outfielder. If you're listening all the outfielders that's wise. Like last year, he was the top guy coming out of AAA. So really relying on him last this year. But he's actually looked, we talked to him today. And he looks a lot more comfortable with the play. He's made a little bit of an adjustment with his swing, hitting the ball hard. So that's good to see, man. That's a good problem to have. But back to Tyler Callahan real quick. This is a 2019 third round pick out of a high school in Jacksonville, Florida. All right, you can play a little bit of everywhere. And you know, the Pirates love their utility players. And actually last year, May of 2025, he fractured his left forearm

3:23running into the outfield wall. So he can play an outfield corner, can play third base, can play second base. And I think, you know, you were in on the Donnie Kelly press conference. I think they're expecting him to play a little bit of everywhere. Yeah, and I think the emphasis was a left handed bat in the lineup. So you could definitely see Trio getting a little bit of a platoon. I still think they go with tree. Is there every day option? But this just gives them more to work with when it comes to restructuring a lineup. And you know, if he needs a day off, you put a power bat in that lineup that could have potential to hit 10 plus home runs at the big league level. Yeah, this is a guy that I've always thought of. The scouting report was he's above average raw power. But the power numbers haven't really translated home run wise. Like he hasn't had a double digit home run season, but his average is like, I was told last night he sells out for power. I don't know if that's true. Three last year in a small sample size in triple A 303 410 OBP 938 OPS, four homers, 12 RBI, six stolen bases in 2024 across double A, and triple A 276 359 788 OPS nine homers, 22 stolen bases.

4:28Like this guy has more speed than I expected. It's going to run run the bases a little bit and, you know, produce a little bit of power and speed. I'd love to see him that left handed swing, put some balls over the Clemente wall. But I think in terms of Kyle Nicholas, they have belief in a lot of their young bullpen arms. Like Brandon Bedouard is going to be in Pittsburgh this year. Yeah, at some point, if not opening day, you're on Ramirez is still here. They've got, I know Ryan Harbor went down with an injury, but they've got guys coming up that, that they believe in. And that's, that's abundantly clear. No, a Murdoch, Christopher Vanski, to name a few aunts, one Kelly could potentially contribute this year in leverage innings. I just don't think Nicholas was going to contribute to this bullpen. At least right away, he wasn't going to make the opening day roster. In the reality is, like you mentioned, the stuff is nasty. Maybe the best stuff on the team, just pure stuff wise, but the control issues. Yeah. I mean, I think he said to himself, like he's, he's throwing the ball and it goes where it goes.

5:28And like, guys like that, they have that kind of stuff. You can somewhat rely on that unless you're just totally missing the zone, right? You have zero command of words going. So it's a shame really liked how, but I think this makes it seem better. I also think they have a little bit of that from the left side this year with Mason Montgomery. He's a guy that has insane stuff, but I think it's going to be a little bit up and down here. And there you're going to see it outing where he comes in one inning, three K's looks unhittable. And then you're going to be outing where you might walk a couple guys. So, you know, I like the options they have coming out of the pen this year, but wish Kyle nothing but the best in Cincinnati unless it's against us, of course. And, you know, I think he's going to promise in career and baseball. Yeah. Well, let's talk about Billy Cook real quick, because we had him on the show today for the second time. Hitting the ball hard this spring, as you mentioned, the defense plus arm. He looks really, really good out there, even Donnie Kelly in the press conference, which we have posted up on Instagram and Twitter as you can go check it out for yourself. He's really, really loves the glove in the outfield with Billy Cook brings also a plus human being.

6:32He joined the show. Here's the interview. Joining us today on Bucco Banner for the second time on the show, Billy Cook. Billy, how's it going, man? Great guys. How are you? Good. Good. How's spring training going so far? It's your second big league camp with the Pirates. How's it been? It's been fun. It's been really fun. Great group of guys. I'm glad we come to the field every day. You know, detail, change of the culture and everything. Everybody's caught in and I like how we're playing, but I also like the clubhouse that we got and how guys are interacting and everything. So it's exciting. Billy, you look really comfortable at the plate hitting the ball hard. Is there any adjustments that you made this off season to the swing? Yeah. Just trying to stay on my back side a little more last year. Maybe just a little like jumpy and lunge and when things aren't going great, even this spring, that's typically what's happening. So working on just staying back and the hits will come, but just trying to hit the ball hard and when I swing, get that aggressive swing off. And if I can't, then probably just shouldn't swing, right? Right. How's the depth been this year? I mean, obviously, plus defender in the outfield. What does that look like going into the season? How do you work on your craft every year to become the better defender?

7:36Basically, just starting out, maintaining what you have, right? And so my arm is a plus arm and so making sure that's healthy and strong and making throws before the game has a warm up, I'll usually air it out and make sure I'm ready to pull down when needed in the game, making sure you're seeing athletic, you know, in the weight room, making sure everything is quick twitch, so you can go make those plays and stuff. And then really just being confident in your reads and take that first step and know that that first step is probably the right one because he'd done it a million times and then go from there. Billy, is there a different message this year from the coaching staff? Donnie Kelly, it seems like it's very loose in the clubhouse when we're in there. We notice a difference. What has that been like here in this second spring training with the Pirates? Yeah, it's been great. The message has just basically been, it's bigger than you, you know, and everybody I said has taken that to heart and you can see it with guys picking each other up. Everybody's kind of, you know, on that team aspect and not, you know, spring, it's an individual spring everyone wants to perform,

8:37but focusing on that team and how can the team win? How can you help everybody, not just yourself? And so that's kind of probably what you felt and I felt it too. And it makes me excited for the year because if we can continue that all season, I think we're going to like where we end up. Probably you did the most Pittsburgh thing you could possibly do to consider yourself a injured this off season. You're opposing on Mount Washington, congratulations, man. How's that been and how's the off season been generally for you? It's been great. She will come out here every now and then, she's in school, so she still has, you know, her responsibilities back in Utah, but it's been great. And she loved Pittsburgh and the proposal was great, went really smooth. And then got to spend a little time with her and her family, you know, because I was rehabbing. And so couldn't do a lot of baseball for about a month. And so got some time there and it was great. Bill, you add some, we added some new guys to the team, right? I'll her and Jake Mangum, the past word. Have you guys been feeding off those guys coming from different organizations? They've won before.

9:37Yeah. I mean, they bring a lot to the table and I think they are bringing stuff and then they're also willing to learn, you know? One big thing is learning about Pittsburgh and the culture and the people and the fans. And so they're excited, especially like Jake can be allowed, you know, a little different coming from Tampa. I think, you know, no offense to the Tampa fans, but the Pittsburgh fans are a lot more invested. It seems like in their love and that. And so getting them bought in on that and then seeing what they can teach us with the playoff experience, the series experience and all the good stuff that we're looking to accomplish. Crit and a winning culture. Guys that have been there before. Exactly. Awesome, man. We appreciate you joining us again. Best love guys again, man. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks guys. Always enjoy talking to Billy Cook. This was the second time we had him on this show. And one thing that I, you know, noticed with his outflow death, I know there's a lot of discussion about Ohern and Reynolds in the corners and concerns about the defense out there. But they definitely have guys behind the three starting outfoters

10:38that can play defense and can play all three outflow spots. And I think that's going to go a long way this season. Yeah, talk about guys who can play a little bit of everywhere at New Scorson and Bigley Camp. He really came on through the scene last year out at UCLA. This is another guy where, hey, you could play some third base and, you know, pretty much anywhere in the infield, he could play outfield. If you ask him, one of the defense player of the year for the Pirates Minor League organization awards, they call it the Young Buck Awards. So we sat down with him today, talked about Bigley Camp and what he expects from himself. You asked him about the utility position. Is this new for him as you really done this? And it's something that he's kind of grabbing on the fly and saying, hey, this is something that is going to help me get to a big league roster. And it seems like he's willing to do whatever it takes to get there. Joining us now on Bucko Banger is Pirates infield prospect, do Scorson, do you see how you do it, man? I'm doing good. I'm doing good. How's Camp going so far? Everything's been good. It's been fun. It's been good because we've been winning. So everything's good.

11:39This is your second spring training. Talk about how the vibes are different this year. Do you feel it in the clubhouse? Absolutely. I just think everybody knows we can compete the win this year and everybody's walks to go out there and win every day. So even in spring training. How's it been going from level to level? Has there been any major adjustment that you've had to go from Greensboro to Altuna? And then do you see any adjustments or any obstacles at Bigley Camp that you've had to make adjustments for? I mean, yeah. But at the end of the day, I think it's honestly as a hitter. I think it's all about how you prepare for stuff. I think pitchers are going to obviously get better. But as long as you continue to get better as well, then you should be in a good position. What was the specific focus this offseason? Was it any different from past off seasons for you? Yeah, I mean, there was a couple of swing things that I tried to work through and implement in. But I think overall just getting in the gym and getting stronger and stuff was big for me. Defensively, what does your offseason look like?

12:40I mean, a lot of people talk about the work they put in in the cages, but defensively, how often are you working on your craft every week? Three to four days a week, probably out there. I wasn't throwing all those times, but I started throwing towards the end of the offseason stuff. But ground ball is like three to four times a week for sure. How about, you know, you're a guy that plays multiple positions, dude. Is that something that you've always done and what value does that bring to a team like this? Um, honestly, it's not something I've always done ever since pro ball I've done it. But I just think it brings versatility and options all the time. Awesome. Now we appreciate you joining us. Good luck to rest the camp. Thank you. Thanks, buddy. I appreciate it. I'm already do scores and awesome conversation with him. This is a guy was my pick to click this year in the farm system. I think he's got this is a guy who's going to rise up prospect list. And hey, we might even see him in Pittsburgh at some point. 100%. Let's talk about the game a little bit because the buyer snapped the six game win streak. Mitch Keller took the mountain today against the Cardinals. They lost three to two. Mitch went three innings, three hits, three K's gave up a home run

13:43to Nolan Gorman. And that ball was crushed, by the way. And then a legal Williams provided pretty much the only offense on the day. Showed a little bit of pop in the bat. Donnie Kelly also talked about how the legal looks a lot more comfortable. I think at any major league time last year, but really, really have an decent spring. Yeah, absolutely offensively to an only five hits total. Dustin May looked really good. I bet you the Cardinals are really hoping for a bounce back year from him because they're going to that guy's going to fetch them a bag at the trade deadline. But Ryan O'Hern two for two with a double. He's hitting 462 this spring so far. And the password stays off one for two at a single. He's hitting 533. So like what I see from those guys, those guys are going to be big contributors to this team this year. Outside of that, our guy Jane Moons, I mentioned it in our post game video. Closed it out, one hitting no hits, two K's. He's another bullpen arm from the left side to throw it's hard. Yeah. Fun day at the park, hot one. Brutally hot. He's surviving. I will probably find out tomorrow morning.

14:44I could see your neck is. It's right. It's going to be tan. It's going to be tan. All right, well, we got a couple more days here in spring training. I think we're going to go back to the complex again, get some content there. And we got a game tomorrow. They're away on Saturday and then a game Sunday. And then the wraps up the trip. So we'll keep you covered with all of our pirates content. Until next time, raise it. Raise it. The average cost of a D wine Virginia is $11,352.47, drinking and driving costs more than your drinks. Learn more at what's the damage not org brought to you by Virginia DMV. Warning, the following Zippercruder radio spot you are about to hear is going to be filled with F words. When you're hiring, we at Zippercruder know you can feel frustrated for Lauren even. Like your efforts are futile.

15:44And you can spend a fortune trying to find fabulous people, only to get flooded with candidates who are just fine. F***. Fortunately, Zippercruder figured out how to fix all that. And right now, you can try Zippercruder for free at zippercruder.com slash zip. With Zippercruder, you can forget your frustrations, because we find the right people for your roles fast, which is our absolute favorite F word. In fact, four out of five employers who post on Zippercruder get a quality candidate within the first day. Fantastic. So whether you need to hire four, 40, or 400 people, get ready to meet first rate talent. Just go to zippercruder.com slash zip to try Zippercruder for free. Don't forget that zippercruder.com slash zip. And finally, that zippercruder.com slash zip.