It is no secret the Pirates have struggled to hit the ball over the first 12 games of the shortened MLB season. They currently have the second-lowest batting average in all of baseball at .189, second only to the Cleveland Indians. While Jason believes the Pirate bats can turn it around, he admits that it may come to late to make an impact for the spiraling club.
"It looks very bad, and I'm not going to sit here and defend it and say it's okay because it's not," he said. "But these guys have done this over a stretch of time. Josh Bell has produced, Brian Reynolds has produced, Kevin Newman has. Granted they haven't done it for multiple season. but still, it is in there somewhere. I worry is this going to come over the final 20 games of the season? Are they finally going to figure it out?"
Jason also discussed young pitcher J.T. Brubaker, who will be making his first career start today against the Minnesota Twins. Brubaker has impressed Jason thus far in limited action out of the bullpen this season, and could consistently be a part of the rotation sooner rather than later.
"He absolutely can be a part of their roation," Jason said. "You look at guys for next year and beyond who might be in this rotation, it's absolutely a possibility that J.T. Brubaker could be there."
With the Pirates continuing to lose games and the MLB trade deadline approaching, Jason highlighted starting pitcher Derek Holland as a player the club could eventually move.
"He's had two strong starts, and if he continues to pitch this way, I think he would be an attractive piece."
Listen to the entire conversation with Jason Mackey below.