Pirates Spring Training LIVE From LECOM Park: Braxton Ashcraft Starts In Split Squad Matchup

0:00To tip off this NBA season on Fandoor, you can choose your own rewards, which means you can play your game any way you want. I get to choose my rewards? Hmm, nice. Yep, first up, a no sweat token. Miss your shot? No worries, you're covered. I choose that one. Or you can take a 50% profit boost and turn your wins into bigger wins. Okay, I like that. I choose that one. Hold on a sec. There's one more. A bet back token, so you can get a 2 over on your bet. I choose to think a bit more about what I'm going to choose. Wise choice. Play your game all season long with Fandoor. All customers choose your own reward right now in the Fandoor app. 21 plus in present in select states. 18 plus in Kentucky. Optin required. Rewards are nonwithdrawable. Restrictions apply, including bonus and token expiration. Leg requirement and max wage amount. See full terms at fandoor.com slash sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gamler.

1:00Instagram teen accounts default teens into automatic protections. For who can contact them and the content they can see. Explore teen accounts and all of our ongoing work to protect teens online at Instagram.com slash teen accounts. Few things are as uplifting as the greatest moments in sports. And nothing brings us together quite like Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games. From NBC Universal's iconic storytelling to the innovative technology across Xfinity and Peacock. Comcast brings the Olympic Games home to America, sharing every moment with millions. When Team USA steps onto the world stage, we're not just watching. We're cheering together. This winter, we're all on the same team. Comcast, proud partner of Team USA. Yo, yo, yo, welcome to the North Carolina podcast presented by Fandall.

2:00I'm your host, Anthony Denardo. With me, we have in the house, Nate. Oh, sorry. What's up, Nate? What's up, Denar? How are we doing today? I'm doing very, well, bittersweet, I guess is what I'm doing. It's a gorgeous day once again. All week, it's been really, really nice. We got baseball happening once again. But it's our last day here to watch this. So that's the bittersweet part of this. Yeah, it sucks. Last day here, last time seeing log baseball till they're back in Pittsburgh, at least. Right, right. For us, which by the way, the tailgate, April 18th, that's we'll all be back there for live baseball, Paul Schien's ball ahead day. We'll have some news coming out on how you can buy the tickets and all that very, very shortly. But that's, again, or a live tailgate is going to be Saturday at noon. So speaking of live baseball, great plug. You're a pro at this. Yeah, he also know lines for the ball ahead. Yeah, no lines. Everyone gets one. Right. So, but no, today we have a pretty interesting game. It's from the pirate side. It is a split squad. We'll talk about the other game that's happening in Dunedin here afterwards.

3:00But tonight, or I should say today, Braxton Ashcraft does take the mound here at Leacom. As far as the lineup, pretty much most of the mainstays, especially the heart of the order. They seem to be almost every day. You see, loud rentals or herring in the lineup. I feel like there's some differences. Mangum is not going to be here. It's going to be the need in economy and the need. And we'll talk about that. But for the most part, the guys that you probably mainly want to see is going to be here at Leacom today. Yeah. Of course, you got the heart of order. You got triolo, loud rentals or herring part. The top five are all mainstays in the lineup. Sure. And Manuel Valdez could be a bench bat who knows. Billy Cook, another one of those guys fighting for a roster spot. Alica Williams had the home run yesterday and the kind of the surprise of the lineup today. And left field Mitch Jebs going to get the starting nod. Yeah. Is this his first start of spring training at least at home? It could be. Don't quote me. I wasn't here last week for the whole time. I know he's gotten into games, but I don't think he's started. This could be. It's could be the first start. Yeah. Top of the order is just all guys that you're expecting to be on the, it will be on the opening day roster.

4:03Right. And are all mainstays. Of course, we were discussing Marcelo Zuna, no Marcelo Zuna today. Last time we saw him play was Monday, but he seems perfectly fine. He was walking around gave fist bumps out yesterday. Yeah. I didn't really have note, but. Right. So there's something of no right. He hasn't played since Monday. There was a game Tuesday, also against Colombia. Wednesday was an off day. They played yesterday. We're at today's a split squad. So it's really been an opportunity. He hasn't been a lineup. But again, this is a veteran we're talking of. It's almost like, let me think about. Couch. When Couch was a part of the past few years. But like there's times where Couch had like 13 played appearances. Like Marcelo Zuna kind of falls that line. Like he's not here. He doesn't really need the reps. He's the other guys do. So I'm not too worried about that, but again, he hasn't been in the lineup since. Monday. But again, let's let's go ahead and talk about. Braxton Ashcraft. I was giving up one on run in the five innings. He's coming off a year. He had 69 innings pitch. I think it was a 2.71 ERA. I mean, he's he's been looked at as a really solid prospect. He's got a lot of good stuff. Last year he put things together. It looked really, really good. You know, for a rotation. That's young. He's going to be a big part. Pretty important piece of this. So, you know, seeing him.

5:03Come to the amounts today. I'm excited. Yeah. I'm excited. Yeah. I'm a really big fan of Braxton Ashcraft. Maybe we'll try to get him on an interview for Postgame too. My goal for him today is to be efficient. That's kind of the story when I was talking to Ryan yesterday. Just if Mitch Keller can be efficient, he was getting stretched to go. Maybe four innings. Of course, Mitch allowed the lead off home. And I think a walk right after. So he got it out. Yeah. So I think the plan is today probably the same thing. Try to get four innings. Maybe five innings. Who knows who even with the splits? Who knows. Who knows. Who knows. Who knows. Who knows. Who knows. Who knows. Who knows. Who knows. Who knows. Who knows. Even with the split squad. Might have less relievers go in today for that too. But I think the plan for Ashcraft. At least three clean full innings and maybe try to get the fourth if you can do it. Yeah. Yeah. I think that's kind of the goal right now. They've been hit in three. So maybe try to get into the fourth. Maybe a full four. Oh, fish. And he is. Now I'll say this as well. You know, I know it's a split squad. We talked about the pirate's lineup. Ashcraft is pitching some decent guys you want to see on the pirate side. But it comes to the filly side.

6:04Nate. Attractive so what do you mean? What do you mean what you tell us it's a lot of I know you're dying to say so it's funny We're watching batting practice. I completely forgot this player was on the Phillies I'm like who's talking to leeka Williams. Who's who's going over to them? It's layover pick where oh he's batting fifth And adding fourth for the Phillies today tell us infamous Pittsburgh pirates trade deadline acquisition Brian De La Cruz are better known as BDLC. Yes, the best day La Cruz in the NL Central. Yes. Yes, but this should be interesting Like this is literally the Phillies we like to say the B team is over in Dunedin with Pirates. I wouldn't call that really the B team But today seems like with this line up the Phillies have like with auto camp and other names like that Might be the C or D team But it wouldn't shock me. It's spring trade. They could all like I was telling denaris like this team could literally somehow beat the pirates team today Like all their relievers or whatever tend to nothing. It good who knows and again. That's why the glory of spring training

7:06Stats don't truly matter But but again like for backstint ashcraft sake and what we're looking for it's not the most fearsome lineup So so again, I'm kind of interested to see what Braxton does see the efficiency see what his picks pitches Strike out numbers there. This guy's gonna strike out a lot of guys. He's got some really intriguing stuff So with this lineup, maybe we'll see a few strikeouts. I'm hoping to see that for sure But all to me again, how efficient he'll be especially with them. Yeah, it's funny the comments So I'm points out it's literally they're playing the iron picks the basically what is Valley iron pick and I do want to go back So Brian day of the cruise at least when we were here when he was with the braze Oh, we did a show he had home run so Hopefully, you know, he did the braves last year Maybe not so much this year against the Phillies. Maybe we won't see a home run from him, but you can see him Homer last time around We did as like the one homers. I see them. I've seen him play live once as I didn't do too many when he was with the I think you only hit two maybe Maybe that's what happens. We have like a negative point eight war negative one point. Well, whatever it was in those two months

8:07It's all for good fun. Right right right But anyway, so yeah, so that's the first squad That's what's happening to us again back to line up a little bit. Uh, it is kind of cool And you're seeing like Brian Reynolds. Yeah Brandon Lau Ron or her pretty much into every lineup and they're all seem to be taking BP together and we saw them a little bit today as well Yeah, not that much difference kind of stuff We've been saying over and over again, but again, I just got to emphasize some more. I mean Ryder herds a pretty put together dude, right? Yep. It's got some mass to him. It's pretty tall Ryan Reynolds kind of the same thing. I mean six two's got some massive You look at those guys and it's like all right those those guys need some home runs, right? But you know, I feel like the beat writers are asking Don Kelly all until all the time and we're talking about all times But like then you see Brandon Lau come up the path and again, it's them two The horses right going in the badicade and then it's been allowed and it's like this This one doesn't belong, but I feel like the baldest jumps off his bat better than the other two And he hits the home runs better than both of them right It's actually very impressive like he was hitting some BP him and Brian like they were all in homerun

9:12So Brian Reynolds it would be far out the right field I saw But Brandon Lau is really interesting to watch do BP because like you said he's definitely smaller than the typical home run hitter Like you wouldn't expect Brandon Lau if you're meeting him for the first time be like oh he's hit 31 home runs last last season Yeah, and like I don't want it to be a slight, but it's like yeah, like you can be sure like we saw as mentioned like and it's still extreme But like to Mars, you know, not at all, dude, but he's put together. He's very compact Right, that's that's not Brandon Lau, you know, I mean you look at him. It's like Are you a professional athlete? And I can not say that he's slight, but yeah, the way that ball jumps off his bat is I mean it's incredible And I'm excited to see we talk about it on it's not and it's not in live on Wednesday like that's the biggest trade Biggest move honestly of the offseason like yeah, you got a 31 home run bat And it's one of those things like let's see him put it together He's had a pretty solid spring in my opinion too. I would love to see him. It is and it's funny We made the joke him Brian Reynolds ran a herna combine one home run this spring the same amount as elika Williams this spring So like spring training stats don't matter, but like yeah elika Williams had some fun BP today

10:17I mean they have this offseason they're bringing all these guys little did they know they had elika just sitting right here Yeah, one of the power he was right here all the time which he's going to be playing today with Connor Griffin in the other game He didn't put one of the seats of BP as well for if we're talking about BP But let's get to the pitching side to the the bullpen. So get an ashcraft this starting Isaac Mattson would get in Mason Montgomery Brandon big wall bow burrows a Michael Darrell Hicks will all be pitching Again Mattson He's big part of this bullpen. Do you want to see him Montgomery expect to he's part of that trade acquisition talk about There's some really intriguing stuff So another day of seeing what he provides and we could bring to this team. Yeah, I'm excited It's like Mattson as well the panther guy you guys had him on the show a couple days ago I'm excited to see the middle part Mason Montgomery and Brandon mid draw Those are two dudes on the 40 man where it's like great Mason Montgomery I believe has a better shot at making this team. I would hope he makes the team He's he was the top lefty. They added besides Gregory Soto, right, but what also being a left. Yeah And we we talked about Kyle Nicholas getting moved away like traded off of that maybe that open spot for bid draw

11:23Yeah, be the outside looking in maybe open to get a spot on this roster on the major league side That is and I'm intrigued to see what he can do this spring because I might and he's had a pretty solid spring He's got some really interesting stuff as well So I'm hoping to like when we're when we're back here like watch his bullpen a little bit Maybe try to get him on as well. So who knows. Yeah, I'm excited to see what he can do against the Lehigh at Valley iron pigs There you go That's so funny. Yeah, but yeah, they got it in the chat for bringing that on So let's go ahead. We'll transition to uh the team that's out in the meeting facing the blue jays before we do a little work from our sponsors as well This episode is brought to you by iq bar our exclusive snack hydration and sponsor iq bar protein bars iq mix hydration mixes and iq jo mushroom coffees are the delicious Low sugar brain-in-body fuel you need to win your day The ultimate sampler pack is a great way for you to try all iq bar products and flavors You get nine iq bars eight iq mix sticks and four iq jo sticks all iq bar products are clean label certified an entirely free from gluten

12:28dairy soy GMOs in artificial ingredients with over 20,000 five star reviews and counting more people than ever are feeling their lifestyles With iq bars brain-in-body boosting bars hydration mixes and mushroom coffees the ultimate sampler pack Includes all three my personal favorites so far have been the almond butter chip and the iced tea lemonade hydration mix It's just really full of flavor. I love starting my day with it And I couldn't imagine starting my day with anything else other than iq bar products right now iq bar is offering our podcast listeners 20% off all iq bar products Including the ultimate sampler pack plus free shipping to get your 20% off text mlb to 64,000 that's mlb 6400 messaging data rates may apply see terms for details All right, so as mentioned the split squad today the other side is going through the need and to play the blue jays in that

13:29Game Bubba Chandler is going to start as well. So i mean today features two really pictures that you really want to see Guys to be in the rotation for sure, but the young or not a whole lot experience could be possibly a big part of this rotation The success for this team this year, but also two guys that have some really intriguing stuff obviously Bubba One of the top prospects in baseball Uh, he comes with the full pedigree of that, but i think it's a little bit different of course sample size is small Ashcalfs look really well. Bubba has struggled certainly with command Yeah, Bubba's had a interestingly like rocky spring training like starly isn't he hasn't had that many outings like I think this is only outing number three for him. Yep, so far he's one to one He's only pitched three innings that his ERA is 18 that might be inflated of course only three innings Only four k's a whip of 3.33 so you especially like You'll you guys will hear in the don kelly press conference after like you know our post game But someone I think was gorman asked about like as it wins it too early to maybe Start worrying about bobing like don kelly says said basically there is a point where this spring where you might start to get a little bit worried

14:32Which is a very fair argument, especially as of course manager of the team and fans have definitely expressed like some Maybe worries it really early, but it gets to a point maybe later this spring maybe next week time you if he's still struggling It might be like ooh as he ready to be that four or five starter or even the three starter would which basically How we've been talking like it seems like or key to your club and you're fighting for that five starter That would mean Bubba's either your three or four because you have Paul and Mitch your one and two Ashcraft's looking like the three starter right now in my opinion the way he pitched last year So I'm really intrigued to see how Bubba can bounce back because he's going up against Jose Barrios on the Blue Jays And he has some main stays in the Blue Jays line. We got Addison Barger in there. I'm David Schneider as well Junior. He's away with the Dominican Republic right now But it's going to be interesting to see how Bubba can bounce back. He's playing a pretty solid team over and over at the Toronto spring trading And they did just win a world series. So there's a little bit of win. I'm sorry, but they what they did appear at the world series I just true tough times for Canada in my mind. They won. Yeah in my heart. They won

15:33No, but uh, but yeah, that's like the night and day of these line-ups. Ashcraft has obviously a easier task in that sense But we're right. I mean don't Kelly did kind of mention like there is a point, but at this point of time There's not a word right now. I mean they are nowhere near that point of time They know how Bubba works You know what he has a player in a person that they're not worried So again, though you do want to start seeing that coming off your things especially as they go deeper into games You know what they're working on So there is that and then the line up there So most of the thumpers are in this one, but there are some players in that line up Of course, Mangal who's had a great great But then there's the person that everyone wants to see that I feel like We get to see once a week because he's always featured away Yeah, it's funny with like these split squads it gives a fans a option when you see both the line-ups Today you're getting more of the major lead guys If you want to be pay attention to your prospects, though Like or your guys like just sensing Garcia your griffins your andes your Raphael flores juniors those types You and tomorrow also you watch the other game right because this is what you got Jake Mangal

16:37Who's going to be basically the only guy in this lineup into a plane into needing That is the guy is going to be a mainstay probably of this pirate's team Then you got Griffin, Andy, Flores, Junior, Nick, York, Password, Dom and Exflectories fighting for a roster spot Permar, Nick, Camillo, and then Bubba pitching So I would say it's more of the young guns in Dunedin right now And it's like kind of those vets today But it's going to be interesting following what's going on with two games at once as well So I'm intrigued though like I brought up like Password He's the guy I'm watching this spring so I'm excited to see what he does against especially Jose Barrios A mainstay major league starter today in today's game So it's going to be interesting Yeah absolutely But again the talk though is Connor Griffin of course You know I wanted to see him over time Of course I'm not going to get that chance unfortunately But he is over there uh playing so So he has a decent split you know for a split I mean there's reasons to watch and pay attention to both games Obviously again Connor Griffin's the headline over in Dunedin But yeah so so there's the two obviously the pictures We have the pictures for that one The other notable pictures that are I would say there's more than two other relievers going for this

17:41But you have Noah Davis and the other Noah Murdoch And interestingly enough we can I forgot that we forgot to bring this up So some other guys on the bench over in the away game you got Merch Gray And why it's Sanford and then on the bench today You're adding here is Yordani and Johann Dela Santos both of them Jared Jones the hitter Yeah and then of course Cal and Moss He was interesting after the falter trade Never really heard of him and then he just starts hitting tanks with Greensboro And and he has I mean Cal and Moss has been interesting in that sense You know I know he's gonna see some Jared older like the age for the level but It's not the first time a guy's done that there's some interest um But yeah so it's again both games pretty decent lineup It's pretty good matchups here Certainly some guys you want to see some more of Obviously with the pitching side of things Um and outside of that this is our last day here So I'm trying to take in everything that we can See some good content if you're around stop and see us We got plenty of koozy stickers that we want to hit out sticker and give away today We'll do some short content also uh then we'll do our wrap up Um, but we also have a special announcement

18:43I feel we have two coming probably within the next few days but One really big special announcement that we'll come and drop tomorrow. Yep Maybe we'll throw some hints at it. Yep. Uh maybe you've already maybe seen some hints at it But we'll have a context we'll have a we'll have a big announcement coming I think you all will certainly enjoy and uh outside of that Let's go watch some baseball. Yeah, I'll be in Pittsburgh at this time tomorrow Not as totally a bad thing, but the weather is not the greatest, right? Yeah, I'm no one not I'll say I've told you guys I'm not one not really to enjoy heat. That's true But like it hasn't been that bad yesterday was hot. It was It was it was bad to say the word genes today's kind of humid because it poured yesterday out of nowhere But like still It's gonna be sad leaving. Well there it is. Yeah, so we will be back for one more wrap up Doug and I will be on later. Yep. Dougie fresh the man of the people. We'll see you guys then Make sure you like subscribe do all the good stuff as we always ask we love you all Bye-bye. See you guys

19:44All right that wraps up this episode of North Shore 9 Thanks so much for tuning in whether you're listening on the podcast or catching us on YouTube If you enjoyed the show Please give this video a thumbs up and don't forget to hit that subscribe button if you haven't already It really helps us grow and if you're listening on the podcast a quick review goes a long way And helping others find the show plus be sure to tell a friend about us There's always room for more here in the NS9 community And for those looking to support us a little more consider joining our patreon Become an MVP member and get exclusive perks while helping us continue to bring you more of the pirates content You love thanks again for all your support and let's go bucks You To tip off this NBA season on Fando, you can choose your own rewards.

20:56Which means you can play your game any way you want. I get to choose my rewards? Yep. Great! Now excuse me while I lock you in. All customers choose your own reward right now in the Fando will app. 21 plus in present in select states. 18 plus in Kentucky. Optin required. Rewards are nonwithdrawable. Restrictions apply, including bonus and token expiration. Make requirement and max wage or amount. See full terms at fandool.com slash sportsbook. Gambling problem call 1-800-Gamber. When it comes to what your family eats and drinks, you know your choices matter. You are the expert because you know what fits your life. And getting it right starts with good information. That's why America's beverage companies are sharing more information about our ingredients at GoodToNoFacts.org. No spin, no judgments, just the facts straight from the experts for more than 140 beverage ingredients. Visit GoodToNoFacts.org. LinkedIn Hiring Pro can't predict the future. But it can help you feel confident about future hires.

21:58Because hiring pro combines real time insights and candidate data from the LinkedIn network with the criteria you've set for your role to deliver you a list of top-fit candidates. Businesses who use LinkedIn are 24% less likely to reopen a role in the next 12 months. Hire right the first time with LinkedIn Hiring Pro. Post a free job today at LinkedIn.com slash Pandora. Few things are as uplifting as the greatest moments in sports. And nothing brings us together quite like Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games. From NBC Universal's iconic storytelling to the innovative technology across Xfinity and Peacock, Comcast brings the Olympic Games home to America, sharing every moment with millions. When Team USA steps onto the world stage, we're not just watching. We're cheering together. This winter, we're all on the same team. Comcast, proud partner of Team USA. Wherever your family is headed, every mile should feel like part of the adventure. With room for 7, the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee is built for your whole crew.

23:00Quick morning drop-offs, weekend tournaments and those unplanned sunset chases that bring everyone together. 4x4 capability keeps you confident through surprises, detours, and let's see where this goes moments. Because the laughter, the stories and the everyone talking at once rides are the ones that become. Family legends The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee Made for family adventures that matter. Jeep and a Jeep Ruler Register trademarked at SCA US LLC.