PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – An early look at the returns for the four recent trades with the Pirates sending experienced major leaguers for prospects. How has it turned out?
The Jameson Taillon trade is paying early major dividends, while the Joe Musgrove trade is advantage San Diego to start. Here is a look at the four deals.
Traded
Jameson Taillon
29-years-old and a tremendous leader and role model for the Pirates. His story is inspiring, but the second overall pick in 2010 had a pair of Tommy John surgeries. The strikeout numbers are up with the Yankees, but Taillon has allowed at least a home run in every game but one.
1-3, 5.40 ERA, 33.1-IP, 32 hits, 20 runs, 8 HR, 8 walks, 43 strikeouts, 1.20 WHIP
Return
RHP Miguel Yajure
The 23-year-old has now made a couple of spot starts in the majors and really impressed.
0-1, 3.86 ERA, 9.1-IP, 5 hits, 4 runs, 2 HR, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts, 0.86 WHIP
RHP Roansy Contreras
Has been outstanding in a pair of starts at AA Altoona, the 21-year-old pitched 132 innings in A ball in 2019.
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 11-IP, 5 hits, 2 walks, 22 strikeouts, 0.64 WHIP
OF Canaan Smith-Njigba
Off to a solid start as a stat-filler in AA Altoona, the 22-year-old is 6’, 240 pounds and hits from the left side. Drove in 74 runs with 11 HR in A ball in 2019
10g, 5 runs, 9 hits, 4-2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 7 BB, 7 K, 3 SB, .300. .421 OBP, .633 slug
SS Maikol Escotto
Another off to a quick start, the 18-year-old righty hitter has a hit in every game but the second one.
9g, 7 runs, 12 hits, 2B, 3B, 7 RBI, 7 walks, 10 strikeouts, .353, .463 on-base
Traded
Joe Musgrove
The first ever San Diego no-hitter got Musgrove off to a fantastic start and he’s been very good this year with an over 5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The 28-year-old will see his one-year contract at $4.45 million skyrocket in arbitration. He becomes a free agent in 2023
3-4, 2.86 ERA, 44-IP, 31 hits, 14 ER, 6 HR, 11 walks, 59 strikeouts, 0.95 WHIP
Return
RHP David Bednar
A Mars native, the 26-year-old was lights out in Spring Training and struggled a bit recently in the Pirates bullpen.
0-0, 3.31 ERA, 18g, 16.1-IP, 4 holds, 12 hits, 6 runs, 3 HR, 4 BB, 21 K, 0.98 WHIP
LHP Omar Cruz
The 22-year-old is at High A Greensboro, rebounding from a rough opening outing to go 4 hitless innings with 10 strikeouts in last start.
0-1, 6.00 ERA, 6-IP, hit, 4 runs, HR, 7 walks, 14 strikeouts, 1.33 WHIP
RHP Drake Fellows
Still going through rehab of an elbow injury that had started before the trade.
C Endy Rodriguez
It’s been a good start for the catcher/outfielder, but likely a catcher with the Pirates. The 20-year-old has a hit in every game but one in Low A Bradenton 10g, 7 runs, 13 hits, 3-2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 BB, 8 strikeouts, SB, .325, .413 OBP
OF Hudson Head
Slow start for the 20-year-old, 6’1”, 180 pound, lefty-hitter. His only hits are singles in Low A, hit .283 with a .383 OBP in 2019 rookie ball.
10g, 3 runs, 8 hits, 2 RBI, 4 walks, 17 strikeouts, 2 SB, .195, .283 on-base
Traded
Josh Bell
The Christmas present yanked from underneath the tree in the trade to the Nationals. After a horrid start, including a COVID pause, Bell now has 4 HR and 15 RBI in 27 games. His averaged climbed to .172. Bell is on a one-year, $6.35 million dollar contract and will be a free agent in 2023.
27g, 21 runs, 17 hits, 5-2B, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 8 BB, 30 K, .172, .239 OBP, .343 slug
Return
RHP Wil Crowe
Joining the rotation on April 25, the 26-year-old is getting an opportunity probably earlier than expected for this role.
0-2, 4.50 ERA, 20.2-IP, 18 hits, 10 runs, 2 HR, 10 walks, 17 K, 1.35 WHIP
RHP Eddy Yean
The 6’1”, 19-year-old gave up 5 runs in a third of an inning in his first start and has pitched two scoreless outings since at Low A Bradenton.
1-1, 8.44 ERA, 3g, 2 starts, 5.1-IP, 5 hits, 5 runs, HR, 5 BB, 3 strikeouts, 1.88 WHIP
Traded
Starling Marte
Marte has now been with a couple of teams, hitting .311 before Arizona traded him to the Marlins last year where he hit .245, but with 4 homers and 13 RBI in 28 games. Marte, out since April 18 with an oblique strain, was hitting .316 in 15 games as the 32-year-old becomes a free agent after the season.
15g, 15 runs, 18 hits, 2 doubles, 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 8 BB, 14 K, 3 SB, .316, .420 OBP
Return
Liover Peguero
Off to a hot start, now on the injured list, Peguero is a double-play combination with first round pick Nick Gonzales at High A Greensboro.
6g, 7 runs, 8 hits, double, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 6 K, 4 SB, .364, .417 OBP, .682 slug
Brennan Malone
Made his first appearance after missing the start of the season with a blister on his finger. He’s 6’4”, 205 pounds and 20-years-old with only 8 games of minor league experience to date.
1-2, 4.00, 8g, 3 starts, 9-IP, 4 hits, 4 R, 6-BB, 8-K, 1.11 WHIP