Bucs In The Basement

Craig goes solo on this one to talk about the positives, negatives, and possible surprises of the first couple months of the Pirates 2024 season; before going down the rabbit hole of the reliever woes, how bullpens are built and some decisions that may need to be made regarding a few struggling players.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small bu...

Craig is joined by Eric Garfield (aka @Eric_Birdland on X and @eric_birdland22 on Instagram) to discuss how some Pirates Prospects have been performing down in the FCL and Bradenton, which leads to a discussion concerning the possible disconnect in development as players make their way up through the Pirates Minor League System.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store...

Craig is joined once again by John "Rock" Wehner-former Pirates player and current color analyst at SportsNet Pittsburgh-to discuss the players that could come up from Indianapolis, who they could replace, a couple of guys that have added a spark to the ballclub, the balance of defense versus offense in the lineup, and the pitching core that has been carrying the team all season, especially with t...

Craig addresses the Jon Nunnally Narrative for what will hopefully be the last time by running Pirates Fans through his history as a hitting coach both at the Minor and Major League Levels for four different organizations; including his time with Pittsburgh.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small businesses vouched for by us! Craig Toth previou...

Craig welcomes in-for the first time-Charlie Franson (@cfransoniv) from the Bucco Fever Podcast (@BuccoFeverPod) to discuss Paul Skenes' MLB Debut, the roster moves that were recently announced and those that could possibly be on the way, the struggling bullpen, and what could be done to address the underperformance from certain players thus far this season.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Buc...

Craig welcomes Jack McMullen (@jack_mcmullen11) from the @indyindians and @JustBB_Media back to the podcast to discuss the promotion of the Pirates #1 Overall Prospect-and the Top Pitching Prospect in MLB-Paul Skenes; as well as some hitting prospects that could potentially help generate some offense for the Big League Club; including Nick Gonzales, who was promoted after we recorded the show.  Bo...

Craig and Chris talk about what has always been the timeline for Paul Skenes, why you shouldn't just push Bailey Falter to the bullpen, the actual developmental mistake that was made concerning Henry Davis and a conspiracy theory as to why Nick Gonzales is still down in Indianapolis. UPDATE: Probably why we aren’t news breakers…we had a source, we dropped a show, the source changed his tune early...

Craig is joined by Eric Garfield (aka @Eric_Birdland on X and @eric_birdland22 on Instagram) to discuss his observations from the Pirates Extended Spring Training, as well as the players he is looking forward to watching when the Florida Complex League Season opens on Saturday May 4th.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small businesses vouched f...

Craig and Chris discuss the unrealistic expectations that exist for two of Pirates core players, bad signings during the off-season, a misallocation of funds and how projections don't always match reality.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small businesses vouched for by us! Craig Toth previously covered the Pirates for Inside The Bucs Basement,...

Craig takes time to discuss the hitting and pitching philosophies of the Pirates-as well as how they are disseminated throughout the system-before diving into the inexact science of protecting pitchers from injury-or at least how the Pirates brass approaches things-before finishing up with the Top 5 Pirates Prospect Performers over the past week or so.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In T...

Craig and Chris discuss the possible reasons for the slide the Pirates have been on during the past week, a potentially impending decision concerning Henry Davis, some players that could defy the platoon lineup decisions to help jumpstart the offense, and the Jared Jones Pitch Count Narrative.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small businesses v...

Craig and Chris work their way through some things that have not been going right for your Pittsburgh Pirates; including Ke'Bryan Hayes approach at the plate, the bullpen struggles, and poor defensive performance. Towards the end of the show they also address how the team could address the current void in the starting rotation brought on by Marco Gonzales' stint on the IL.  Bought to you by VOUCH....

Craig goes behind the box scores to breakdown how Minor League stats can look better than they actually are, talks about the Home Opener in Altoona and brings you his Top 5 Pirates Prospect Performers of the week.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small businesses vouched for by us! Craig Toth previously covered the Pirates for Inside The Bucs B...

Craig and Chris sit down to discuss the Pirates continued hot start to season, the reasons to be optimistic and to temper-at least the individual-expectations and the story behind Keller's cutter usage and decreased velocity; which leads them down the rabbit hole of increased pitching injuries.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small businesses...

Craig sits down to discuss the prospect assignments that took place prior to the Minor League Opening Day, the affects it had on his Pirates Prospect Fantasy Team, fans reactions to a certain player starting in Greensboro and the potential reasoning behind this move.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small businesses vouched for by us! Craig Tot...

Craig and Chris sit down to discuss the Pirates hot start to 2024, the possible reasons why it is more sustainable than the 20-8 record they had in 2023, how the bats and starting pitching regressing to the mean isn't necessarily a bad thing and the JT Brubaker Trade.    Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small businesses vouched for by us! Craig...

Craig welcomes in-for the first time-Andy Durham, long time broadcaster for the Greensboro Grasshoppers to discuss the coaching staff changes, the unveiling of a new logo, Pirates Prospects he is looking forward to seeing at First National Bank Field this year and of course, Bat Dogs. Afterwards, Craig brings you his Top 5 Pirates Prospect Performers from the Indianapolis Indians Opening Weekend. ...

Craig and Chris breakdown the roster decisions that were made leading up to Opening Day, the reasoning behind these decisions, where the hole(s) still exist on the 26-man and how things could play out for your Pirates; especially to start the season.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small businesses vouched for by us! Craig Toth previously cove...

NEW EPISODE OF YOUR FAVORITE #Pirates @MiLB PODCAST! Craig is joined by Thomas Zinzarella from the @The_Marauders to discuss the Low-A squad's upcoming season, as well as his journey from Providence to Bradenton. #LetsGoBucs #MiLBNewsAndBrews  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small businesses vouched for by us! Craig Toth previously covered the...

Craig and Chris talk candidly about the two most recent signings by the Pirates-Michael A. Taylor and Domingo German-before working their way through the Opening Day starting rotation.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the  Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store  to support great small businesses vouched for by us! Craig Toth previously covered the Pirates for Inside The Bucs Basement, but now simply joins...

Craig sits down to talk about everything he saw down in Bradenton-during his Spring Training Trip-from the Minor League point of view; with an unexpected glimpse of some MLB players mixed in.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store to support great small businesses vouched for by us! Craig Toth previously covered the Pirates for Inside The Bucs Basement, and is still a...

Craig and Chris talk about everything that has been going on during the Pirates Spring Training; including the storylines you probably should ignore.  Bought to you by VOUCH. Visit the Bucs In The Basement VOUCH Store to support great small businesses vouched for by us! Craig Toth previously covered the Pirates for Inside The Bucs Basement, but now simply joins his buddy Chris at a 9-foot homemade...

Craig is joined by Anthony Murphy (@_Murphy88) and Jeff Reed (@NolaJeff) from bucsondeck.substack.com and co-authors of the Draft Nation 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Guide to complete the Inaugural Pirates Prospect Fantasy Draft. #LetsGoBucs #MiLBNewsAndBrews Craig Toth previously covered the Pirates for Inside The Bucs Basement, and is still a huge Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Fan; especia...

Craig and Chris sit down to talk about the news that Paul Skenes will be starting the year in the Minors, the Current Catcher Situation, why they would still add another pitcher, and the value of Mitch Keller's Extension.  Brought to you by  ShopYinzz.com ! Craig Toth previously covered the Pirates for Inside The Bucs Basement, but now simply joins his buddy Chris at a 9-foot homemade oak bar ever...

Craig is joined by Jon Mozes (@spelledwithaZ) from the Altoona Curve to discuss the Double-A squad's upcoming season; including, some staffing changes that have been made, what should be a formidable rotation, position players to keep an eye on and a couple of Opening Day Starters that could find their way up to the MLB Club. #LetsGoBucs #MiLBNewsAndBrews Craig Toth previously covered the Pirates...