Notes; ZIP Projections, Coaching Moves & '22 Staff, Keller to Japan, CBA

Yawn…c’mon negotiators, let’s get it on!

Notes:

• Dan Szymborski’s ZIP stat projections for the Bucs are posted on Fangraphs. While he finds highlight players few and far between, the comps between the current roster and historic players is an interesting read.
• Jason Mackey of the Post Gazette reports a welcome change in organizational pitching development. The Bucs have moved from cookie-cutter instruction to personalized the training. It’s a longish read but a good one.
• Speaking of pitching, Joel Hanrahan tweeted “After 5 years coaching with the Pirates I have decided to move on and look for other opportunities.” And by that, we assume he means MLB opportunities, which the FO apparently isn’t offering him. Hanny was the organization’s Danny Murtaugh coach of the year, given out to the top assistant in the Buccos’ minor league system. He spent four years (2009-12) as a two-time All Star back-ender in Pittsburgh with a slash of 10-8-82/2.59 with 265 K in 229-1/3 IP, appearing in 283 games before being traded to Boston for Mark Melancon. 

• Heberto Andrade, who had been with the Bucs since 2004 as a bullpen catcher, assistant coach, and welcoming figure for the Pirates Latino players, is leaving for a position with San Diego. Seems like the few remaining Neal Huntington field hires are flying the coop.
• After all the moves, Derek Shelton officially named his revamped coaching staff: Andy Haines was hired as the hitting coach after serving in the same capacity for Milwaukee. Mike Rabelo, who had been with the club since 2020, took over as the 3B coach while retaining his major league field coordinator job. Radley Haddad joined the gang as the game planning/strategy coach after spending the last five seasons with the New York Yankees. First base coach Tarrik Brock, bench coach Don Kelly, pitching coach Oscar Marin, assistant hitting coach Christian Marrero, bullpen coach Justin Meccage, coach Glenn Sherlock, bullpen catcher/coaching assistant Jordan Comadena and major league assistants Jeremy Bleich and Tim McKeithan all returned to Shelty’s fold.
• 28-year-old RHP Kyle Keller, who was removed from the Pirates 40-man roster in November and chose free agency, will pitch for the Hanshin Tigers of the Nippon League next season.  In 32 outings for the Bucs last year, KK posted a slash line of 1-1/6.48 with 36 K/33 IP and will be a candidate for closer in Japan. He had previously seen MLB time with the Angels in 2020 and the Marlins in 2019.
• The union and MLB have been talking, but about non-economic issues, so it looks like a drag-out that won’t get serious until camp approaches.