Bucs On Deck Podcast

We recap the 2024 Winter Meetings, which included the big trade the Pirates made to acquire Spencer Horwitz in exchange for three pitchers, one of which was Luis Ortiz. Then we talk about some early candidates the Pirates could take with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 draft. Finally, we talk about the Rule 5 draft and what still needs to be done in the offseason. Bucs On Deck is a reader-suppo...

After taking a break for the holidays, Nola and Murphy are back to talk about the upcoming Winter Meetings. Should the Pirates take anyone? Are there any early favorites for the 2025 draft? We also talk about the offseason to this point, how it impacts the Pirates, and if a Salary Cap would help create parity. Subscribe to the site for all the latest updates on the Pirates’ organization. Become a...

In our latest podcast episode, we discuss Paul Skenes winning the Rookie of the Year award and his actual chances of winning the Cy Young despite being a finalist. We then move over to the recently concluded Arizona Fall League and our takeaways from the Pirates players who participated. Finally, we look at Baseball America’s recent Top 10 update for the Pirates system that also included a look at...

In our latest podcast episode, the offseason is officially underway, with the pending free agents officially hitting the market. We lead off our conversation with the addition of Trey Cabbage through waivers. What kind of fit can he provide and how the Pirates could be shifting focus on who they bring into the system? Then, we take a look at the free agent class and who makes sense for the Pirates...

In our latest podcast episode, we discuss the upcoming offseason for the Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as the important dates to follow, and there is no better person to bring on than Ethan Hullihen. Listen to Nola, Murphy, and Ethan talk about what the important dates are this offseason, including the Rule 5 and Draft Lottery. This site is 100% reader-supported, with no revenue coming from ads. If...

In our latest podcast episode, we talk about the World Series matchup between the Yankees and Dodgers, with a prediction of the winner. We then talk about the Arizona Fall League, now two weeks in. Who has stood out? Finally, we talk about various Winter Leagues underway, and after the Endy Rodriguez injury last year, is sending players still worth it? Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck...

In the latest podcast episode, we discuss the Arizona Fall League, which has since kicked off. We take a look at the nine prospects the Pittsburgh Pirates sent to Arizona, including Termarr Johnson. We then wrap up the show with a few players from around the league who will be playing, not from the Pirates’ organization. This site is 100% reader-supported, with no revenue coming from ads. If you e...

In our latest podcast episode, Nola and I discuss some of the top performers of the 2024 season. We also discuss some disappointing seasons, one thing to watch the last week of the season, and some early off-season storylines. Bucs On Deck is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Bucs On Deck at buc...

With the season winding down and only one affiliate left playing, Nola and Murphy discuss some potential names the Pirates could send to the Arizona Fall League, which begins in October. They then look back at the site’s original top 25 prospect list and give some reactions after the entire season. They also look at their predictions on breakout and players to watch going into the year. Bucs On De...

Murphy and Nola are back with another podcast episode. This week, they discuss some pitching help the Greensboro Grasshoppers have received from late-season additions through promotions. Could Carlson Reed jump straight to Double-A to begin 2025? Is Garrett McMillan a legit relief prospect? They discuss both there. They then talk about the Pirates ‘moving on’ from Junior Vizcaino as the Director o...

Nola and Murphy are back with another podcast episode with plenty to discuss. They lead off with the news that Oneil Cruz will shift to the outfield. How does that impact the rest of the season and beyond? They then shift to Henry Davis, who returns to Pittsburgh after Joey Bart lands on the injured list. Is this make-or-break time for the former first-overall pick? How has he looked in Triple-A,...

Development isn’t linear, and sometimes, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to prospects. So, Nola and Murphy take a look at some players who, in the box score, are having down years but are still high on. They then look at some of the 2024 draft picks who have made their debuts and what has stood out about them. Six draft picks have made their official pro debuts; who has done well? T...

Another podcast episode with Nola and Murphy talking about the Triple-A debut of Bubba Chandler, what went well, and what to expect for the rest of the season. They then shift to the pending Top 25 prospects update, and who is the top-hitting prospect in the system—Termarr Johnson or Konnor Griffin? Finally, they discuss the Pirates’ recent collapse and how deep the troubles go. Can the season be...

In the latest Bucs on Deck podcast, Nola and Murphy discuss some recent system promotions, including Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington's move to Triple-A. They then discuss the suddenly interesting Indianapolis Indians' playoff chances and, finally, some debuts down in Bradenton last week. This site is 100% reader-supported, with no revenue coming from ads. If you enjoy our work, consider becom...

The 2024 Trade Deadline has come and gone. We recap all the moves that the Pittsburgh Pirates made. Who did they get? Which prospects did they give up? How much better did they get as a team? We answer all of those questions tonight. This site is 100% reader-supported, with no revenue coming from ads. If you enjoy our work, consider becoming a paid member today. You will not only help the site gro...

In our latest podcast episode, we recap the Pirates' 2024 draft and examine other teams that we thought had strong drafts. We also looked at some things we are watching coming back from the break in the Pirates’ system. Subscribe to the site to get all of your updates sent directly to your email. Also, consider becoming a paid member to support the site while gaining access to our top prospects li...

Murphy and Nola have Corey Schrader of Steel City Pirates on to talk about the 2024 draft. Before they get into things, they discuss the 2023 draft one year later and the decision to take Paul Skenes over Dylan Crews. They then dive into the draft, who some of the top players are, and what the Pirates may do with the ninth overall pick. They then each give three players they really like after the...

In the latest BoD podcast episode, Murphy and Nola discuss potential trades for the Pirates, who might be the best trade piece, and whether anyone is untouchable. They then discuss the latest Baseball America mock draft, who the Pirates take, and what direction they would take if they were in charge of the draft. Also, with MLB Pipeline updating their top 100, they discuss the Pirates who moved up...

With Mike Burrows beginning his rehab this past week, we talk about what we saw from him early on and what we expect for the rest of the year. We also discuss whether he could make his major league debut this year and how he compares to Braxton Ashcraft, another top pitching prospect. Then, we react to FanGraphs releasing their Pirates’ top prospect list. What stood out? Finally, we go over some o...

With the first half of the minor league season getting ready to come to an end, we decided to take a look at some standouts, surprises, and disappointments in the Pirates’ system so far. We took a look at a top-performing hitter and pitcher at each level, as well as someone who is struggling. Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

As we get ready to unveil the site’s updated top 25 list, we go over some of the biggest risers and fallers. Who are some of the new names on the list? Who made the biggest jump on the list? We go over that, as well as some players who slipped and why they did. We wrap up with a preview of the upcoming games this week. Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe

With the NCAA Baseball Tournament hitting the Super Regionals stage, we discuss which draft-eligible player has stood out so far. We also discuss Braxton Ashcraft, not only his performance but also the best way to use him for the rest of the season. Nola wraps up the episode with his weekly preview. Both A Ball teams will face an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Can the system rebound from...

The offenses in the Pirates system are starting to heat up, with Murphy and Nola talking about some of the highlights over the last week. Completely coincidently, a good amount of them are first basemen or could potentially play the position. They then shift to the upcoming NCAA tournament and some draft-eligible names to keep an eye on. Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/s...

In our latest podcast episode, we discuss our thoughts on Paul Skenes two starts into his major league career. We then shift into talking about the future and who might take over as the number one prospect as we get ready to update our site's Top 25 list. Support the site by becoming a paid member, and get access to all of our premium content, including our Top 25 list with complete player write-u...

Murphy recaps his trip to Bradenton, who stood out? Finally healthy, we are starting to see what kind of player Solomon Maguire can be, and it has Murphy very excited for his future. Plus, Nola gives his weekly preview, and they both give something they are watching in the upcoming series of games. Get full access to Bucs On Deck at bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe