Bucs On Deck Podcast

The Pittsburgh Pirates mount a huge comeback that comes up short in extra innings. I break down the night, Bubba Chandler's struggles, and the revelation that Jake Mangum has been in July.Plus, I talk about Sammy Stafura and his insane run during July.Subscribe to the Bucs on Deck Substack for daily content on the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribeAlso, check out the YouTube channel for weekly uploads on the Pirates organization.www.youtube.com/@bucsondeck Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

Despite a strong outing from Jared Jones, the Pittsburgh Pirates still dropped their Friday night game against the Chicago Cubs. I break down Jones' latest outing and what is working for him.With the FCL season over for the Pirates' team, I break down some of the notable names and how they performed in 2026. Who stood out? Who came up short on expectations?Subscribe to the Bucs on Deck Substack for daily content on the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization.bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribeAlso, check out the YouTube channel where we upload weekly videos. www.youtube.com/@bucsondeck Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired a reliever! I break down who the Pirates got in Ron Marinaccio and what they could do to get him back to his early days with the Yankees.With the addition of Marinaccio, that means the end of Dennis Santana, who was DFA'd.They also signed four more of their draft picks, including second-round pick Aiden Ruiz. I go over my thoughts on each of the four picks and some more draft thoughts with the class coming together. Subscribe to the Bucs on Deck Substack for daily content on the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribeAlso, check out the YouTube channel where we upload videos on the Pirates organization.www.youtube.com/@bucsondeck Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

The Pittsburgh Pirates get fantastic pitching efforts from their starters, Mitch Keller and Bubba Chandler, in a doubleheader that they split against the New York Yankees.What worked for them? I take a look in this episode.We then shift to the Pirates signing Chris Rembert, one of their second-round picks from this year's draft. What makes him such an interesting prospect, and what could the Pirates do to unlock his potential?Subscribe to the Bucs on Deck Substack for daily content on the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribeAlso, check out the YouTube channel for weekly videos on the Pirates' organization. www.youtube.com/@bucsondeck Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

Tuesday’s game between the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates was postponed. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday.It’s not going to be the easiest day for the Pirates’ hitters, as they will have to face Max Fried and Gerrit Cole. The Pirates will have Mitch Keller and Bubba Chandler on the mound. The Pirates lost game one of the series, so they will have to sweep the doubleheader in order to win the set.Bucs On Deck is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Murf Gray has now played four games with the Altoona Curve; he has two home runs in that span. After falling behind 0-2, Gray worked his way back to a full count, and then crushed a pitch for a grand slam.He has 25 home runs on the season and has gone 3-for-14 in the four games he has played in Double-A.* RHP Michael Walsh assigned to Altoona Curve from Indianapolis Indians* Pittsburgh Pirates sent 1B Spencer Horwitz on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders* Indianapolis Indians sent OF Mitch Jebb on a rehab assignment ot Bradenton Marauders* Greensboro Grasshoppers sent 1B Tony Blanco Jr. on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders* RHP Dioris Martinez assigned to Bradenton Marauders from FCL Pirates* RHP Adolfo Oviedo assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Bradenton Marauders* RHP Brandon Cain assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Bradenton Marauders* RHP Victor Trejo assigned to Bradenton Marauders from FCL Pirates* Pittsburgh Pirates sent RHP Chris Devenski on a rehab assignment to FCL Pirates* Indianapolis Indians sent RHP Michael Darrell-Hicks on a rehab assignment to FCL PiratesTop Exit Velocity* Ronny Simon - IND - 111.4 mph - Single* Duce Gourson - IND - 107.7 mph - Lineout* Jhostynxon Garcia - IND - 104.6 mph - Flyout* Richard Ramirez - BRD - 103.1 mph - Double* Bralyn Brazoban - BRD - 101.6 mph - SingleTop Pitch Velocity* David Matoma - BRD - 99.5 mph* David Matoma - BRD - 98.6 mph* Gavin Adams - BRD - 98.4 mph * David Matoma - BRD - 98.2 mph* David Matoma - BRD - 98.2 mphMost Whiffs* Kyle Robinson - ALT - 12* Connor Wietgrefe - IND - 9* Reinold Navarro - BRD - 9* Roilan Portuondo - BRD - 8* Jack Anker - GBO - 7* Michael Walsh - GBO - 7Support the site by becoming a paid member and get access to all of our premium content, including our top prospect list with complete player write-ups and video breakdowns, which come out weekly.It will also give you access to my player feature articles from on-site trips.We have monthly and yearly plans available, with the latter averaging $4.16/month.Indianapolis Indians - 2 vs Lehigh Valley Ironpigs - 1GamedayTop Hitter - Ronny Simon: 2-4, RBI, SBTop Pitcher - Connor Wietgrefe: 5.2 IP, 5 H, R, BB, 4 KAltoona Curve - 8 vs Akron RubberDucks - 7GamedayTop Hitter - Lonnie White Jr.: 2-4, 2 R, BB, 2 HR, 2 RBITop Pitcher - Cy Nielson: 2 IP, H, 2 KGreensboro Grasshoppers - 6 vs Winston-Salem Dash - 1GamedayTop Hitter - Sammy Stafura: 3-4, R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SB, 2BTop Pitcher - Jack Anker: 5 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 KBradenton Marauders - 9 vs Dunedin Blue Jays - 10GamedayTop Hitter - Eddie King Jr.: 3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, HRTop Pitcher - Roilan Portuondo: 3.1 IP, 3 H, ER, 4 KFCL Pirates - 5 vs FCL Braves - 4GamedayTop Hitter - Armstrong Muhoozi: 2-5, RBITop Pitcher - Michael Darrell-Hicks: IP, H, 2 KDSL Pirates Black - 7 vs DSL Reds - 8GamedayTop Hitter - Dionis Leyba: 1-3, R, 4 RBI, BB, HRTop Pitcher - Jabes Martinez: 2 IP, H, R, KDSL Pirates Gold - 10 vs DSL Rojos - 4GamedayTop Hitter - Gilbert Ramirez: 2-4, R, 2 RBITop Pitcher - Marlon Quintana: 4 IP, H, R, 5 K Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

After the bullpen blew another late on Saturday, the Pittsburgh Pirates were able to bounce back to win on Sunday, taking their weekend series against the Cleveland Guardians.Paul Skenes made his first start coming out of the All-Star break, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven innings pitched. It was good enough to pick up his ninth win of the season.Jacob Gonzalez went 2-5 with a double and two runs scored. Getting a rare start in center field, Billy Cook went 3-4 with a triple, two runs scored, and a pair of RBI. Esmerlyn Valdez hit his 12th home run of the season, going 1-3 with two RBI and two walks.Bucs On Deck is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The Pirates will head to New York for three games against the Yankees. Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, and Mitch Keller are the probably pitchers for the series.Murf Gray and Duce Gourson wrapped up their first weekend at their new levels after getting promoted coming out of the All-Star break.Now in Double-A Altoona, Gray went 2-9 with a home run and three walks compared to two strikeouts. He played in all three games and was the designated hitter on Sunday.For Gourson, he played in two of the three games over the weekend, going 4-7 with four runs scored, a home run, one walk (no strikeouts) while also stealing a pair of bases. * Greensboro Grasshoppers sent 1B Tony Blanco Jr. on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders* Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Khristian Curtis to Indianapolis Indians* Altoona Curve placed LHP Dominic Perachi on the 7-day injured listTop Exit Velocity* Shawn Ross - IND - 111.4 mph - Home Run* Richard Ramirez - BRD - 107 mph - Single* Jacob Gonzalez - PIT - 106.1 mph - Lineout* Edgleen Perez - BRD - 105.9 mph - Groundout* Duce Gourson - IND - 105.2 mph - Home RunTop Pitch Velocity* Carlos Mateo - BRD - 102 mph* Carlos Mateo - BRD - 101.6 mph* Carlos Mateo - BRD - 101.1 mph* Carlos Mateo - BRD - 100.9 mph* Carlos Mateo - BRD - 100.8 mphMost Whiffs* Paul Skenes - PIT - 18* Irwin Ramirez - BRD - 10* Hung-Leng Chang - GBO - 10* Brandon Neeck - ALT - 9* Matt Ager - ALT - 8Support the site by becoming a paid member and get access to all of our premium content, including our top prospect list with complete player write-ups and video breakdowns, which come out weekly.It will also give access to my player feature articles from on-site trips.We have monthly and yearly plans available, with the latter averaging $4.16/month.Indianapolis Indians - 13 vs Columbus Clippers - 6GamedayTop Hitter - Shawn Ross: 2-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, HRTop Pitcher - Antwone Kelly: 4 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 KAltoona Curve - 6 vs Reading Fightin Phils - 10GamedayTop Hitter - Ivan Brethowr: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, HRTop Pitcher - Brandon Neeck: 2.1 IP, 5 KGreensboro Grasshoppers - 3 vs Hub City Spartanburgers - 7GamedayTop Hitter - Brian Sanchez: 2-4, 2 RBI, BB, 2BTop Pitcher - Kyle Larsen: 2 IP, BB, 3 KBradenton Marauders - 2 vs Tampa Tarpons - 7GamedayTop Hitter - Richard Ramirez: 2-3, R, RBI, BB, HRTop Pitcher - Brandon Cain: IP Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

Jared Jones had a perfect game going, and they removed him after six innings and 77 pitches. I'll go over the Pirates' decision and then what worked so well for Jones that night.Then, while recapping at the minor league games on Wednesday, I discuss a pair of hitters who are remaining hot for their respective teams.Subscribe to the Bucs on Deck Substack for daily content on the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization. bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribeAlso, check out the YouTube channel for videos on the Pirates' organization.www.youtube.com/@bucsondeck Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

Ryan O'Hearn had a historic night for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting three home runs and driving in 10 runs. I got over his fantastic game, as well as Paul Skenes picking up his first win since May.That, plus a minor league rundown with a spotlight on Bradenton catcher Richard Ramirez and his strong start to July. Check out the Bucs on Deck Substack for daily content on the Pittsburgh Pirates.bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribeAlso, check out the YouTube channel for weekly videos on the Pirates.www.youtube.com/@bucsondeck Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

It was another week where a Greensboro hitter put up big offensive numbers. Sammy Stafura was named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week, and I break down his week.Who were some of the other top performers from the previous week in the Pirates' system? I go over all of that as well as a rundown on the top 10 prospects in the Pirates system. Subscribe to the Bucs on Deck Substack for daily content on the entire Pittsburgh Pirates organization. bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribeAlso, check out the YouTube channel, where we upload videos on the Pirates every week. www.youtube.com/@bucsondeck Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

The Pittsburgh Pirates took two out of three this weekend against the Nationals, finishing with a winning record during their road trip. I talk about the games over the weekend and what stood out.Then I talk about Edward Florentino, how he's slowly starting to piece things together, and how his potential profile is changing right now.Finally, I preview the upcoming week with the draft on Sunday. Subscribe to the Bucs on Deck Substack for daily content on the entire Pittsburgh Pirates organization.bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribeCheck out the YouTube channel for videos on the Pirates' organization. Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe