06/22 NOTEBOOK

- I missed the game tonight. I was out celebrating the girlfriend's new job. We went to The Sharp Edge Bistro in Sewickley. Let me just start by saying, I never plan on visiting that place again. For starters, the hostess was sleeping!! Or just laying her head down. It doesn't matter, either way, bad first impression. Next, they employ a wait staff made up of zombies. They had no emotions, didn't know any specials, didn't TELL you any specials, and looked like they hated their lives. Bad service seems typical in Sewickley as I got it at Monticello's (of all places!) in Sewickley a few years ago. The beers were probably 5x more expensive than any other place I've ever been to. Don't get me wrong, they have all kinds of beers that other places don't have and the mystery brew at $3.75 was a bargain (IPA of some sort tonight, score!), but when you charge me $4.50 for a Yeungling, then you're overpriced. I'll stick with The Bottleshop Cafe, even though their wait staff is pretty poor too.

- Anyways, I was able to follow comments on twitter and saw that the Pirates optioned 2B Aki Iwamura to Triple A Indy. He is scheduled to report on Friday. My sources tell me that he enjoyed the sushi at Jimmy Wan's so much that he knew he had to make it back to Pittsburgh for that wonderful sushi!

- In all seriousness, I hope Aki can get healthy and get back together. His first 3 years in the leage he had a WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 2.2, 1.5, and 1.2. In Pittsburgh? -1.1. The Pirates will not be able to get much for someone hitting .182/.292/.267 this year, but hopefully he can build his stock somewhat and/or be insurance in case something would happen to Neil Walker, Andy Laroche, or Pedro Alvarez (*knock on wood*).

- Dejan Kovacevic is reporting Bradenton Marauders Catcher and top prospect Tony Sanchez was hit in the face by a pitch and was taken to to the hospital. DK wrote, according to Neal Huntington "there are two small fractures in the left jaw, the doctors think. But then again, there might not be, he added. It's a fluid thing". Many Pirates fans have been wondering what else Sanchez has to prove at High A, so I hope Sanchez can get back soon and continue his ascent in the system.

- Hayden Penn had another solid start in Triple A Indianapolis going 6 innings, striking out 9, walking 3, and letting in one unearned run. Penn has not allowed an earned run in his last 3 starts, striking out 18 over 18 innings. I'd say the only cause for concern would be the 7 walks in that span. With Ross Ohlendorf struggling, Zach Duke injured, and Charlie Morton still not back on track, Penn could get a look in Pittsburgh again.

- Altoona Lefty Daniel Moskos nabbed another save tonight for the Curve. "Moskie" is having an incredible year for the Curve and a promotion has to be iminent. Over 31 innings he has struck out 30, walked 9, and has an opponent batting average of .191. He also hasn't given up a home run all year. I'm hoping to see him in Indianapolis within the next few weeks. I really don't know what else he has to show at Double A.

- Don't look now but 1B Calvin Anderson is batting a line of .285/.356/.439! Over his last 10 games he has 12 hits, 3 home runs, 3 walks, and 9 strikeouts. He has 8 home runs and 13 doubles over 65 games. He's probably the closest thing to a power hitter the Pirates have in the system besides Matt Clement, so I'll definately be keeping an eye on the 6'7 monster.

- Dovydas Neverauskas made his debut for the GCL Pirates today going 2 1/3 innings allowing 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. He was the first Lithuanian player to ever sign with a major league team. Check out this interview from a year ago.

Former #1 Pick/Scapegoat Still Going Strong

Danny Moskos.

What comes to mind when you think of that name?

For most Pirates fans it was the tipping point of the lack of spending. Dave Littlefield and company passed on superstar catcher Matt Weiters because of his initial contract demands and because he was represented by none other than Scott Boras.

I remember the exact moment I was when I found out the Pirates passed on Matt Weiters and even wrote a blog about it (on Myspace haha) about how I actually would've preferred Jason Heyward or even Rick Porcello over Matt Weiters.

While Moskos isn't even in the same stratosphere as Heyward, one of the top prospects in all of baseball, or Porcello, #5 starter for the Tigers, he has quietly had a good year in AA. It seems like the fans using him as the scapegoat have become less and less and Moskos may finally be feeling comfortable in the Pirates system.

Moskos was taken 4th overall and was billed as a guy who can throw 91-94 with a major league quality slider as his strikeout pitch and would quickly reach Pittsburgh. Most draft experts, at the time, argued that Moskos was taken as a signability (there's that word again) pick and because he would sign for what MLB slotted for that pick.

In Moskos' first full year in the system he had pretty bad numbers. The Pirates used him as a starter for a good portion of the year, but it took it's toll on his arm and they eventually stuck him in the pen. Moskos accumulated a 7-7 record in 20 starts and 9 appearances with an abysmal 5.59 ERA giving up 73 earned runs, almost as many as his 78 strikeouts!

This season "Moskie", his author name on his blog, again started out poorly, but has turned it on recently. In his last 10 starts he is 6-3 with a 3.47 ERA striking out 35. If not for a 2.2 inning 5 run game on Aug 8, Moskos would be sporting a 2.82 ERA in that time. For the year he is 10-9 with a 3.78 ERA. Moskos, however, continues to let runs in as he has let in 55 ER to his 62 Ks.

Moskos has been starting for most his Pirates career, but Neal Huntington appears to be doing this to stretch out his pitchers' arms. Once Moskos reaches the higher levels, look for his role to be more clearly defined.

While it appears Moskos is still atleast one year, probably two, from Pittsburgh, don't count him out of the Pittsburgh future plans. If Moskos continues to shine, very quietly I might add, he may actually surpass some of the skeptics and be a solid guy out of the bullpen. The Pirates have a dearth of lefty help in their system, so Moskos could be counted on down the road.