Anthony Murphy

Pittsburgh Pirates trade Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds Hayes heads to Reds for prospect and reliever

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a trade, sending Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for a reliever and prospect. Read more on the trade here on Bucs on Deck:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/pittsburgh...

10 Observations: Final draft thoughts, FCL outfielders, Tony Blanco Jr. Look around the system over the past week

New BoD: Our latest 10 Observations feature is out, with a final look at the 2025 MLB Draft for the Pirates, plus thoughts on Tony Blanco Jr., Reinold Navarro's fastball, and two FCL outfielders. Read more on the Pittsburgh Pirates organization here:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/10-observa...

Still time to get 30% off a yearly subscription when you become a paid member. Get access to this article, other player features, video breakdowns, and our Top 30 prospects in the Pirates' system:

Shalin Polanco learning new mindset from failure Polanco growing and learning from rough experiences

The 2024 season was tough for Shalin Polanco, who repeated Single-A Bradenton. This offseason, he did some looking inwards and came to the realization he needed to approach the game differently mentally. Read more on the still just 21-year-old Polanco
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/shalin-pol...

MLB Draft 2025: Pirates swing for the fences looking for tools, upside Deep dive on the Pittsburgh Pirates 2025 draft class

New BoD: The Pittsburgh Pirates took a giant swing and gambled on upside and tools. With the crapshoot that is the draft, you can't really ask for much more. My final look at the 2025 MLB Draft for the Pirates here:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...

MLB Draft 2025: Pirates go college heavy in day two Pirates draft eight college hitters on day two of the draft

New BoD: I recap day two of the 2025 MLB Draft for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who go college hitter heavy, with a mix of a couple of intriguing prep arms. Read up on each pick the Pirates made on day two here:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...

Bucs on Deck: Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Midseason Update Top 30 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization

New BoD: The Pittsburgh Pirates made four selections on Day One of the MLB Draft. I break down each pick and then my overall thoughts on the new prospects in the Pirates' system:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...

Bucs on Deck 2025 Draft Preview Complete look at the 2025 MLB Draft

New BoD: It's Draft day! Today, we have a complete breakdown, including where you can watch, what the mocks are saying, staff picks, and a recap on all our draft content, all in one place. Check it out before the Pittsburgh Pirates pick at 1.6
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...

MLB Draft 2025: Pitchers to watch outside the first round Intriguing 2025 draft eligible pitchers

New BoD: Continuing our draft coverage, we take a look at nearly 20 pitchers that should fall outside the first round that could fit in with the Pirates. Dug deep to find some late-round intriguing names, plus some prep names to target. Read more here
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...

Decided to keep running the 30% off yearly subscriptions through the draft so now you get access to our top 30 midseason update, but also this and all other draft-related content, player features, and video breakdowns

Averages less than $3/month for year
bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

MLB Draft 2025: Who will be available for the Pittsburgh Pirates? Exploring the options at the sixth overall pick for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 2025 MLB draft is close, and I take a look at some of the options that the Pittsburgh Pirates have while making the sixth overall pick on Sunday. I break down eight potential names plus my own 'big board' for the Pirates' first pick this year. bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...

Jesus Castillo gaining confidence after making swing change Castillo went from switch-hitting to only hitting right-handed going into 2025

New BoD: Jesus Castillo made a drastic change at the plate this year, he went from a switch hitter to just hitting right handed. That's allowed him to gain confidence, which has led to some late-game success at the plate. Read more on Castillo here: bucsondeck.substack.com/p/jesus-cast...

Good time to say that we are still running a special on Bucs on Deck. Get a 30% discount on a yearly subscription when you become a paid member.

Get access to this, video breakdowns, and our Top 30 list that comes with full scouting reports on each player.

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'Professional at-bats' paved way to quick rise to Altoona for Duce Gourson Ninth-round pick in 2024 becomes first from class to reach Double-A

Duce Gourson was the Pirates' 9th-round pick in the 2024 draft. He was the first from that class to reach Greensboro, and then also the first to reach Altoona this season. He did that due to his consistent 'professional at-bats.' Read more on the UCLA product bucsondeck.substack.com/p/profession...

Bucs on Deck: Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Midseason Update Top 30 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization

We did our midseason update on the Top 30 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates system on Bucs on Deck. The article has full scouting reports plus updates on the 2025 season for each player. Get a 30% discount on a yearly subscription when you sign up today bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...

Probably pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/21 (according to the MiLB app).

AAA: Sean Sullivan

AA: Blake Townsend

A+: Antwone Kelly

A: Victor Cabreja

Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/11 (according to the MiLB app)

AAA - Bubba Chandler

AA - Wilber Dotel

A+ - Khristian Curtis

A - Matt Ager

Minor-league top performers: Griffin has strong final week in Bradenton Griffin has strong week before promotion to Greensboro

Our weekly top-performers in the Pittsburgh Pirates' system for last week are out, and Konnor Griffin closed out his time in Bradenton with a strong performance. Who else played well? Find out here bucsondeck.substack.com/p/minor-leag...

Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/10 (according to the MiLB app)

AAA: Carmen Mlodzinski

AA: Blake Townsend

A+: Antwone Kelly

A: Victor Cabreja

Antwone Kelly is listed as the starter today so if that’s the case it should be him again on Sunday

Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/6 (according to the MiLB app)

AAA: Hunter Barco

AA: Cy Nielson

A+: Connor Wietgrefe

A: Peyton Stumbo

The Pacers take 2-0 series lead with 114-109 road win!

Tyrese Haliburton: 14 PTS, 11 AST
Myles Turner: 16 PTS, 3 REB, 2 BLK

Game 3 at Indiana: Sun, 5/25 at 8:00pm/et on TNT.

Konnor Griffin flashes strength, hitting prowess in opposite field home run Griffin breaks down April 30 opposite field home run

At the end of April, Konnor Griffin hit an impressive opposite-field home run off a breaking ball. While I was in Bradenton, I talked to him about it and his approach at the plate. Read more here: bucsondeck.substack.com/p/konnor-gri...

Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 5/22:

AAA: Thomas Harrington

AAA: TBD

AA: Alessandro Ercolani

A+: Antwone Kelly

A: Clevari Tejada

Offseason adjustments paying off for Javier Rivas Javier Rivas has been one of the highlights in Pirates' system early in 2025

New BoD: One of the hottest names in the Pirates system right now is shortstop Javier Rivas. I had a chance to talk to him while in Greensboro, and he broke down why one little change at the plate is paying off big time. Read more on Rivas here: bucsondeck.substack.com/p/offseason-...

That is so awesome. I’ll have to read more on that later today. Thank you so much for choosing my Substack to follow along. Hope you enjoy!

Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 5/21

AAA: Braxton Ashcraft

AA: Alessandro Ercolani

A+: Connor Oliver

A: Carlos Castillo

Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ system for 5/18 (according to the MiLB app):

AAA: Bubba Chandler

AA: Jarod Bayless

A+: Connor Wietgrefe

A: Matt Ager

Bradenton Trip Recap: There are some intriguing hitters in the lower levels The system could be looked at in a completely different light by the end of the season.

I spent a little over a week in Florida checking out the FCL and the Bradenton Marauders. My main takeaway from that time there? The Pirates have some intriguing hitters, and a potential star in the making. Read my analysis of the Pirates' lower levels here: bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bradenton-...

Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 5/16:

AAA: Thomas Harrington

AA: Wilber Dotel

A+: Antwone Kelly

A: Clevari Tejada