Kuhl Places

 

How is a career 4.33 ERA starter who's come in and out of the IL for Pittsburgh for 5 years suddenly working with a sub-3 ERA after 7 games in one of the toughest pitchers' parks in baseball?

I don't get it. Maybe this is some stuff Kuhl has been hiding all these years, maybe he was stuck hiding behind people like Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon and Ivan Nova, but...it's vexing to me. Last year, he was given the head of the rotation, the Opening Day start, and he only ended up starting 14 games with a 4.82 ERA before being passed over for the likes of Wil Crowe and J.T. Brubaker. 

I'm glad that he has this here in Denver, and now when they need him, but I wonder where all this was in Pittsburgh. It's a lot like Carlos Rodon suddenly springing to life last season. Maybe it's that late-20s stride a lot of pitchers can hit. Maybe there's no science to it. I don't know.

At the moment, though, Chad Kuhl and his outrageous start is one of the few good things to talk about as far as the Rockies are concerned. I mean, you can't really go wrong with a core of C.J. Cron, Charlie Blackmon, Ryan McMahon and Connor Joe, and having Austin Gomber and Kyle Freeland in good shape always helps, but this team is teetering on the brink of .500 and below the Diamondbacks in the standings. Maybe you can make the case that the series with Philly turned the tide for the Rockies and pointed out most of their flaws, but it's a point I am too humble to make.

The main issue with the Rockies is that the bullpen is godawful and only Daniel Bard and Tyler Kinley have really shown up from it. But there are smaller issues, like the heart of the lineup, Kris Bryant, going down on an injury, bad defense, the number of blowouts, and the complete lack of control coming from German Marquez. Any sign of promise this team had in April seems to have vanished, and all they can do is hold onto success stories like Kuhl and Cron as if to say 'well at least it wasn't all bad'.

I do think the D-Backs are gonna drop back into 5th at some point, but I'm not sure if the Rockies will be a bottom feeder for the majority of the season.

Coming Tonight- The Orioles' new man above the marquee, just as I predicted in 2018.

2020 Topps Final Edition: Card #199-207

 Today, we reach the 200-card-marker of this set. I've been plugging these in since February, and now in early May we get to card 200. Not bad at all. Hope you guys are still enjoying the set. 

Here are the next 9 cards, including the hero card.

#199- Brandon Lowe ASG, Tampa Bay Rays

In a season where D.J. LeMahieu, Cesar Hernandez and Nick Madrigal all would have racked up votes, Brandon Lowe would have been the starting 2nd baseman of the AL team if the 2020 All Star Game had happened. Putting the 2020 season into context, it shouldn't be much of a shocker- Lowe had an incredible sophomore season, being among the chief difference-makers for the Rays, and leading them to a World Series. While Lowe's numbers have been a bit more human so far, he's still healthy and relatively reliable right now in a slightly thinner roster climate.

Card #200- Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies fans had been waiting a few years for Alec Bohm to hit the majors, especially after his impressive minor league numbers in Lehigh Valley and Reading. Midway through the 2020 season, Bohm hit Philly, and in 44 games, hit .338 with 23 RBIs, finishing 2nd in the Rookie of the Year voting to Devin Williams. He established himself as a strong option at third almost immediately, and gave the fans confidence that is fraying now that Bohm seems resigned to hitting around .200 this year. 

Card #201- Chad Kuhl, Pittsburgh Pirates

Yeah, no Chad Kuhl card in 2020 Topps. I know. Kuhl missed 2019 with Tommy John surgery, returned to the rotation in 2020 as a strong enough option, pitched a 4.27 ERA in 9 starts with 44 Ks, and was one of the more consistent players for the Pirates last year. He was given a high ranking in the rotation this year, and he's currently on the IL. That is the exhilaration of Pirates baseball for you.

Card #202- Salvador Perez ASG, Kansas City Royals

As Salvador Perez continues to be one of the most consistently-excellent catchers in the game, the 2020 All Star Game would have been his seventh, as well as his triumphant return. The best part is that the year of injury did nothing to dull Perez' abilities, as 2020 was still a very strong year for him, with his 2.1 WAR being very much on par with other recent numbers. Perez has been doing well this season so far, and hopefully he'll get his ASG moment this year.

Card #203- Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins

One of the SEVERAL youngsters the Marlins called up during the 2020 season, Jesus Sanchez was called up specifically to aid the team after Starling Marte's injury. Sanchez took Marte's place, and only hit .040 with 11 strikeouts and 2 RBIs in that 10 game period. For those reasons, Sanchez is still currently in the minors. 

Card #204- Yency Almonte, Colorado Rockies

Yency Almonte might have been one of the Rockies' best bullpen pieces of a very forgettable year. Almonte appeared in 24 games, and hit a 2.93 ERA with 23 Ks and 3 wins. Almonte was used in middle relief as well as a final-out man, getting his first save as well last year. So far in 2021, his WAR is negating the entirety of his 2020 earnings in that category.

Card #205- Alex Kirilloff, Minnesota Twins

One of the more intriguing prospects heading into the 2020 season, Alex Kirilloff saw no major league playing time last year, but was added to the postseason roster before playing a single MLB regular season game. That says everything you need to know about how confident the Twins are in Kirilloff. Granted, Kirilloff only hit .250 in 4 postseason at-bats, but he still had a postseason hit before any of his 2021 regular season hits. He's currently a decent offensive piece for the Twins, and while the 2021 Topps rookie is a lot more practical, this one could have been cool.

Card #206- Mookie Betts ASG, Los Angeles Dodgers

Third 2020 ASG starter in this post. Lowe, Perez and Betts. For the first time, though, they wouldn't all be starting for the same team, as Betts would have taken an NL start in 2020 for the Dodgers. I don't think anyone would dispute Betts' starting outfield position in a supposed 2020 ASG, especially considering his red-hot numbers and high MVP vote-getting. 

Card #207- Robert Gsellman, New York Mets

Robert Gsellman haș been one of three indispensable Mets relief arms for the past few years. With him, Seth Lugo and Jeurys Familia, the Mets have just needed to build around the core. Gsellman had an alright 2020, being utilized in a starting role and finishing with a 9.64 ERA, but he's been returned to the 'pen for 2021 and is working on a lower, sub-4 ERA so far. 

Friday brings the next 9 cards in this set. A few important player omissions, a few amusing rookies, and a very big 'what could have been'.

Not Kuhl

 

Ten years ago I was in Pittsburgh and caught a game at PNC. It was the glittering instance where the Pirates, who had been bad for the last 18 years, were creeping towards 2nd place, thanks to Andrew McCutchen. They did end up losing that night, to the last-place Astros no less, but it was nice to see the beginnings of promise from the once dead lineup. 

Any trace of that 2011 promise is all but gone. The only remnant of the mid-2010s playoff teams is Gregory Polanco, and he hasn't hit for average since 2018. Everything else is a mixture of cheap contracts with nowhere else to go and the up-and-comers like Ke'Bryan Hayes and Mitch Keller waiting for a good team to be on. And as 2021 looks to be another buffering period in between interesting teams, there's really nothing left for the Pirates to do this year but...sort of exist.

Like...okay. The pitching staff...is looking very dire. A lot is riding on Mitch Keller to be ace-level when he hasn't pitched more than 11 games in a season, and just got to pitching well last year. You also have guys like Chad Kuhl and Steven Brault, who've always been meant to buttress a rotation but now have prime spots in it. And while Brault, I think, will pull something nice off, I don't know about Chad Kuhl because other than little glints in previous seasons, he's only really had the very okay 2017 season for us to base anything off of. 

The only major league deal the Pirates signed this year was Tyler Anderson. Think about that. Todd Frazier's a big deal, but that was a minor league deal. Tyler Anderson's whole thing is staying around a 4 ERA and doing well enough to be sort of noticed but not well enough to run a rotation. And that's probably what he's gonna do here, though with way less run support than in Colorado or SF. And then you have J.T. Brubaker, who, as alright as he's been with the Bucs, would be a bullpen arm in any other city. 

So...the rotation is middling but not something that breeds confidence. And as for the lineup...Anthony Alford, Kevin Newman and Jacob Stallings all have starting spots, handsomely. Even with the impressive pieces like Hayes and Reynolds, that is this team. Guys that are passable, that most people have never heard of, filling roles just to fill them. I'll note here that Alford's been having a great spring, so I could be wrong about his impact, but...it doesn't look good at all.

Look, if they hadn't made the Chris Archer deal, they'd still have an ace in Glasnow, a steady OF bat in Meadows, and they'd have already brought up Shane Baz. Or, alternatively, they'd have already traded Glasnow somewhere like they did Musgrove and they'd be struggling to hold onto Meadows. 

The bottom line- the Pirates will be lucky if they lose only 100 games this year. It saddens me that we're back at this era of Pirates baseball, but here we are again. Just without Jason Bay this time.

Coming Tonight: I guess I do have to post a Houston Astro, don't I?

Uncustomed Heroes of 2020: Pirates

 

After a decade of routinely being the worst team in baseball...and then a decade of competing...the Pirates are back....to, uh, being the worst team in baseball.

Yeah. The Bucs won 19 games this year, lost 41. Literally one player had a WAR over 1, and it's a guy who only played for 24 games [Ke'Bryan Hayes, if it's not obvious]. Everyone else, including marquee guys like Gregory Polanco had disappointing, underwhelming seasons. Polanco was once the youthful, speedy outfield bat, and this year he hit .153 with a club-leading 65 strikeouts. It's a season that has to make Pittsburgh fans wonder if he's worth the risk going forward.

2021 Prediction: Above-Mendoza-line number, but he's gonna be overshadowed by Reynolds and Hayes and will be on the bench by September.

Bryan Reynolds was poised for great things after his solid rookie year last year, and even he hit under .200, with a .189 average and 19 RBIs in 55 games, a poor sophomore statement. I do think Reynolds has a future of running this team, but he needs to put this season behind him as soon as he can.

2021 Prediction: Back to regular stats, but will do so in a way that stands out from the majority of the team. Not sure if it's too soon for trade talks, but it's an intriguing idea.

Adam Frazier at least had another strong year, covering the starting 2nd base position, and hitting .230 with a [sigh] CLUB LEADING 23 RBIs. He also led the team in hits with 48. For better or worse, Adam Frazier was one of the most consistent members of this team.

2021 Prediction: Another strong year, but I predict that Frazier will be one of many Pirates that changes hands at the deadline.

This statement says all you need to know about the Pirates this year- The Pirates' #1 starter and technical staff ace, Trevor Williams, who started a club-high 11 games....had a 2-8 record, a 6.18 ERA, and a 1.572 WHIP. And he has already been cut in preparation for the offseason. That says it all.

2021 Prediction: I do think someone will pick him up, but I don't know if his chances at a starting position or full roster longevity are especially high.

At the very least, the Pirates had some strong starters behind Williams and Joe Musgrove. Steven Brault may have been the best arm on the team, with a 3.38 ERA in 11 games, and 38 strikeouts. Brault has been pretty damn good when he's been healthy, and hopefully he'll continue the good work.

2021 Prediction: Doesn't make it to March before the Bucs trade him for prospects to a contender. He'll have a prime year. 

Chad Kuhl, after missing last year due to an injury, was back in full force for 2020. Kuhl had a 4.27 ERA in 9 starts, and 44 Ks. Not bad at all.

2021 Prediction: Will have an impressive start that, notice a theme here, will lead to opponents calling about his availability.

One of the bigger rotation surprises was J.T. Brubaker, a minor league regular for the Pirates who finally made his way to the majors, and started 9 games with a 4.94 ERA and 48 strikeouts, being the smallest name with the most surprising punch in Pittsburgh.

2021 Prediction: Similar numbers. In the Bucs rotations to follow, I expect Brubaker to be steadily mediocre.

Meanwhile, despite starting about as many games as he did in 2019, Mitch Keller still gave a mighty impression this year, with a 2.91 ERA and 16 Ks in 5 starts. The Pirates are convinced Keller is gonna be a powerful ace for them soon, and while I'm slightly less convinced, I'm taking any good stats this early as a good sign. 

2021 Prediction: Right as Keller starts having the breakthrough year the fans have been waiting for, he gets injured. 

Speaking of getting injured at the moment of a breakthrough, Phillip Evans, the former Mets prospect, was having a fantastic season at third, batting .359 with 9 RBIs in 11 games, some of the more impressive numbers of the early, barely-any-wins era of this team. Then, he gets injured in a scary collision and is out for the rest of the season. It's unfortunate, but...without it, Ke'Bryan Hayes never gets called up.

2021 Prediction: If he plays at all next season, it'll be off the bench.

Coming Tomorrow- Oh, what a mighty season the Rangers could have had if anything had gone according to plan...

Uncustomed Heroes of 2017: Pirates

In an era where the Cubs are strong, the Brewers are building, and the Cardinals are desperate to compete, there's really not a place for the Pirates in the grand scheme of things.

Dn't get me wrong, they're not at 2008 levels of effeteness, but 2017 was another step in the opposite direction, as a lot of the young stars they were banking on either slumped or got caught with steroids (...Starling...).

Gregory Polanco had a down season, marred with injuries and pressure once Marte left.

Jameson Taillon, despite some bad starts, seems to have a good hold on his mechanics, and could have a great season on the way, whether or not the Bucs hold onto Gerrit Cole.

David Freese, who was formerly one of my least favorite players, has become a pretty decent utility infielder in Pittsburgh, not being relied on to start as much, but giving veteran expertise and knowhow to a younger team, and coming in the clutch with some nice hits when he can.

Chad Kuhl, the other decent pitching rookie from 2016, had a decent enough sophomore season, having a nice record and strikeouts, but it doesn't mean much if the team's not effective at the plate.

Coming Tonight: A team that didn't seem to mind that they lacked a majority of the momentum that made them unbeatable last year.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2016: Pirates

The Pirates did not have a bad season...they just didn't show up when they needed to.

This was a nice team, one that didn't deserve to get a bit broken up in July, and the bats were a bit more potent than they'd been in a while, thanks to some bench players that made it big, such as John Jaso, coming up in a big way this year.

Hopefully they'll be able to compete in 2017, though the Cardinals' acquisition of Dexter Fowler will make this difficult.

Francisco Cervelli's 2016 season wasn't full, or as good as his 2015, but he's still a prime member of the team, and he still has a ton of promise, as a backstop and as a hitter.

David Freese used to be my ultimate least-favorite player, for just having this air of awfulness around him after the 2011 World Series. Now? I can take him or leave him, though I'd prefer not to. He had a decent season off the bench, and did better offensively than he did for Anaheim.

Chad Kuhl was one of the many rookie pitching call-ups the Pirates made, after it was becoming clear that their best arms would be lost to either trades or injuries. He did a nice job, and will likely be a bit better next year.

Sean Rodriguez, yet another bench player that got a ton of hits, did a pretty nice job, and will likely get a starting gig in Atlanta next year.

Coming Tomorrow- The Rangers had some amazing momentum over the course of the season, so here are a few of the guys worth thanking.