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Showing posts from February, 2024

Season storyline: Quinn Priester rejoins Pirates

Quinn Priester makes MLB return Former top prospect called up to majors following injury to Marco Gonzales   The Pittsburgh Pirates’ rotation to start the year he been a welcome surprise. Between Martin Perez holding a 2.55 earned run average (ERA) and Jared Jones setting the baseball world on fire to start his career, the rotation has kept them in most games this season. After Marco Gonzales landed on the injured list because of a left forearm muscle strain, Quinn Priester will be the next man up to continue the success. Priester’s first major league stint was not what Pirates’ fans had been hoping for. The former top prospect had lost some of his velocity and his good breaking stuff was not enough to make up for a fastball that was too hittable. The strikeouts were also not enough to make up for how hard he was getting hit in 2023. Albeit in a small sample size, Priester may be on the verge of a resurgence after working on those problems. After being drafted at ...

Pirates extend Mitch Keller through 2028 season

Pirates, Mitch Keller agree on five year, $77 million extension By Aidan Treu   The Pirates and starting pitcher Mitch Keller agreed to an extension through the 2028 season this morning.  It has been a big year for Mitch Keller.  Just under a full year ago, he was named an Opening Day starter for the first time. He went on to have arguably the best season of his career. In 2023, the starter went 13-9 and pitched to the tune of a 3.80 fielding independent pitching (FIP) and 105 earned run average+ (ERA+). His 210 strikeouts were by far the most of his career. Jeff Passan broke the news earlier today, announcing Keller will be locked up with no options until he is 32. The right-handed pitcher was also announced as Pittsburgh's Opening Day starter this week. It will be the first time since 2015-2016 that the Pirates will have the same Opening Day starting pitcher for at least two years in a row. Keller's career has been defined by hardships after breaking into ...

Senior Bowl takeaways part 2: Three players the Steelers should be looking into

Three players stand out as potential fits for Steelers at Senior Bowl By Aidan Treu   A quarterback and two offensive lineman showed during the week of practice and culminating Feb. 3 Reese's Senior Bowl game in Mobile, Ala. why Steelers' scouts should be paying attention. South Carolina University quarterback Spencer Rattler Rattler raised his draft stock as much as anyone else during the week of practices and the game. The former five-star recruit has had an up-and-down collegiate career, but his performance during the Senior Bowl turned some heads. The 6-foot-1 signal caller displayed his oft-discussed arm talent during practices, showing his ability to drive the ball outside the numbers and hit receivers with good velocity on his throws. The Senior Bowl game showed he will take what is given to him but he isn’t afraid to take shots. Three of his four completions were check-downs, but all three went for good yardage. His touchdown throw to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint...

Senior Bowl takeaways part 1: The Game

National team takes down American team 16-7 on the back of four turnovers Spencer Rattler took home MVP after the college football showcase in Hancock Whitney Stadium of Mobile, Ala. By Aidan Treu   The Reese’s Senior Bowl started fast with an impressive drive orchestrated by the American team, however was quite the opposite of a tone-setter. Not only did it include one of just two touchdowns scored by either side in the whole game, but the American team would not score a single point the rest of the way. South Carolina University quarterback Spencer Rattler had the stateliest performance of any offensive player just a few plays into the game. Before he could get started though, Texas Christian University running back Emani Bailey got five straight touches, gaining chunk yardage on the first four. Then Rattler got to work. It did not take long until the American team’s starting QB found University of Georgia wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint on a fade route against press ...

Prospect highlight: Amarius Mims

University of Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims has the size, athleticism and talent to shore up the Steelers’ right side for years to come By Aidan Treu   The University of Georgia's Amarius Mims should be in strong consideration for the Steelers at pick 20 come April 25. The 6’7”, 340-pound monster guarding the edge is the physical prototype of a dominant force in a zone running scheme. His lateral quickness is raved about, both in the run game and when covering stunts in the pass rush. Despite being taller and heavier than many other offensive tackles, he excels at working edge rushers upfield to maintain a clean pocket and allow for his quarterback to make comfortable throws. Mims has little to no wasted weight. His size allows for him to compete physically with larger edge rushers and overpower undersized ones, although he has been vulnerable to inside pass-rush moves. As a very tall player, he can at times play too tall and allow for edge defenders to get leverage...