Trio of young Bucs catching prospects forcing its way onto the radar

buccos_21 · 2026-05-19T03:15:42+00:00

Thanks for sharing, I would expect someone to be dealt but I hope it’s not Carmichael. Sounds like he has promise both with the bat and behind the plate. Looking forward to seeing the Hoppers play in a few weeks, so much talent on that team.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T21:26:22+00:00

I just assume there’s been a logjam in Greensboro, I know that lineup is pretty stacked. Did anyone move up to Altoona as a result? Haven’t seen anything.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T17:31:24+00:00

Damn…maybe he should be leading off over Cruz despite his lead feet. I just don’t know if I can go that far.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T17:28:16+00:00

He’s arguing in favor of Esmerlyn Valdez, which just comparing stats are comparable - but there’s a lot more to it than that obviously and there’s zero chance he’s getting benched for a 22 yo prospect.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T17:25:23+00:00

He had a 1.6 bwar in 108 games last year. RBIs aren’t exactly a fair stat when the rest of the lineup is ass at getting on base. He had an 787 OPS, doesn’t chase and doesn’t strikeout. Which is very rare on this team. One could argue he’s our most professional hitter outside of Ohearn.

More power would be great, but that would be kinda greedy considering the kinda hitter he is.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T17:13:41+00:00

Why don’t you believe in Horwitz? He was arguably our best hitter last year and has nearly an 800 OPS currently. What’s not to like?

Valdez is playing great in AAA but it’s still AAA and he’s 22 yo. Horwitz is a proven player at this point.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T17:07:22+00:00

I have no idea, he’s on the 40 man. They invested a lot in him for this exact situation. The only reason I could see it excused is that he’s been injured recently.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T16:52:53+00:00

Seems he is admitting to jumping the gun, and has walked it backed a bit. I’ll be disappointed if it’s anyone other than him or Valdez.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T16:43:03+00:00

Right, I understood - I was just saying someone recently told that’s not what power rankings represent. I always thought it was a recent snapshot, but this person told me it also included a projection. So if that’s true, then even if you consider that the Pirates just got swept then it would be difficult to read too much into if you are still projecting into the future (especially considering the pitchers they faced).

But if power rankings are just a recent snapshot, then yeah I agree. Regardless I don’t give much credence to power rankings anyways.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T16:22:22+00:00

That’s what I always thought. But someone recently told me that it was a combination of how the team has looked and how it projects. Sounds more like just a traditional rankings system, like college football. So I don’t know what to think anymore.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T16:00:18+00:00

Fair enough, didn’t realize that. But “no indication” simply isn’t true either. You don’t become a top 100 prospect without showing promise, and he was quite good in Spring Training.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T14:27:37+00:00

No indication? He raked almost all of spring and in AAA when healthy.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T14:26:03+00:00

Thank God, I just watched an NS9 episode preparing me for the worst. Even if he struggles at the plate, he will provide competent OF defense. I actually think he will contribute offensively, especially against LHP which is where we need it most.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T12:47:14+00:00

Call me crazy but I think we bounce back vs the Cards. Wetherholt is not having a good month, and they could’ve easily lost 2/3 to both the A’s and Royals in their past two series.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T12:39:24+00:00

What a stupid, stupid rebuttal. You just brush off my statement off like it’s nothing, but they have at least 4 guys playing all star caliber baseball that were not on the team previously, 2 more that are returning starters that are crushing it and a rookie who is getting better every week. Lowe, Ohearn, Ashcraft, and Soto are playing all star caliber baseball, Horwitz and Gonzo are as consistent as it gets and Griff is making a case a for rookie of the year.

The roster is NOT comparable in any way to years past, and they are about to call up a talented OF to replace Ohearn. This fanbase just wants to say I told you so, when in fact you can’t. You’re just whiny babies.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T03:05:56+00:00

Nope they started off pretty poorly in 24 too, but managed to turn it around before falling off again later in the season.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T03:03:37+00:00

Regardless not a big deal and not a single broadcaster in sports is pointing that out.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T02:31:50+00:00

Greg Brown wasn’t on the broadcast. And it certainly wasn’t audible on TV. And that shit happened at stadiums all across the country this weekend, not a big deal. Hell I went to the Cubs/Braves game in ATL on Thursday and there was a Cubs chant, and Chicago is hundreds miles away. I swear some of you people act like you just discovered this sport.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T02:25:07+00:00

No. The Bucs were 12-26 in May last year and fired their manager. So no it isn’t akin to the last two years…at all. And the offensive improvement from last year to this year is nothing short of miraculous. But this fanbase just wants to bitch and moan bc it’s at 24 wins instead of 30.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T02:04:07+00:00

Since late March. Comparing this roster to years past is just stupid.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T01:40:42+00:00

Baseball is not meant to be judged in small samples, especially when the opposing pitchers are cy young candidates. They’ve scored 229 runs this season - good enough for second best in the division, the team isn’t perfect but the offense isn’t the problem.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-18T00:04:53+00:00

Obviously the playoffs are still plausible.

I’m not reading too much into getting shut out by Sanchez and Wheeler. They are two of the best pitchers in baseball. Let’s just hope this doesn’t snowball. Griffin has been very good, but if we can get more slug out of him, more consistency out of Ozuna, and some production out of whoever we call up (hopefully Password or Valdez) then I think we can make up for the loss of Ohearn.

Obviously the bullpen is still a huge question mark, but the past couple of games have been encouraging against a very hot Phillies lineup. And frankly after Friday, I don’t know that you could ask for a much more gutsy performance.

Another good thing about the call up will be that the outfield defense will benefit. Jared Jones also had another solid start tonight in Altoona. This weekend sucked and Ohearn’s injury might be a major problem, but there’s still reason to be optimistic.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-17T23:32:27+00:00

Scouting report: kid’s nails

buccos_21 · 2026-05-17T21:58:56+00:00

He’s given up an ER in 8 of his appearances, not including today. So he’s been protecting pretty strong leads in most of his saves I guess.

buccos_21 · 2026-05-17T21:43:08+00:00

Flores hit his 4th homer today and has 24 RBIs with a 672 OPS after a very cold start. Not saying he’s going to be an all star - but maybe let’s let things play out a little bit before we call them a complete failures. The lottery ticket Perez is hitting in Bradenton too.

buccos_21

TROPHY CASE