Buccos Cove

So far, Yoshi Tsutsugo has been one of the best Pirates pick-ups of the season, hitting five home runs, including a walk-off home run yesterday. We look at what has made him more successful and how he is earning his way into next season's plans. If there is one thing the Pittsburgh Pirates have been lacking this season, it is a true power threat. Bryan Reynolds has emerged with 21 home runs this season setting a career-high, but there is no one in the lineup that when they come to the plate they strike fear into their opponents. The closest thing they have to that is still in the Minor Leagues in the form of Mason Martin, who has struggled mightily as of late. So, when the Pirates had two on and one out in the ninth inning while being down 3-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday, no one was really getting their hopes up. However, stepping to the plate was a guy who in 12 games with the Pirates had four home runs and was hitting over .300 in his first 26 at-bats. That g...

Late season free agent signings are rate, but the Pirates added to their 26-man roster last night. They signed Yoshi Tsutsugo to a Major League contract and designated John Nogowski for assignment. The Pittsburgh Pirates' first base position has been one that has been on a carousel all season long. Ever since Colin Moran's first stint on the Injured List in late May, we have seen Phillip Evans, Erik Gonzalez, and even Ben Gamel take on the position, but no one was able to stick. Evans is down in the Minor Leagues, Gonzalez has been DFA'd, and Gamel is currently on the Injured List. The Pirates thought they had found something when they claimed John Nogowski off waivers, as he was fast out the gate with a batting average of .345 on July 17th. However, since then he has gone downhill, hitting .094 in August and seeing his average drop to .233 on the season. It was the beginning of the end for Nogowski, as he was Designated for Assignment to make room for the newes...