Pirate Notes: Bucs close to another signing

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August 9, 2009

By JOHN PERROTTO The Tribune-Democrat Tue Dec 08, 2009, 01:48 PM EST

PITTSBURGH — The Pirates’ draft strategy is working out just the way they planned.

The Pirates selected Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez with the fourth overall pick and signed him for

$2.5 million, the recommended slot bonus by Major League Baseball. Their decision not to go overboard was based on the fact they felt they could sign some high-school pitchers to bonuses over the slot recommendation.

With word that right-hander Zach Von Rosenberg of Zachary, La., has agreed to terms on a contract with a $1.2 million signing bonus, pending a physical examination, the Pirates have now signed four high school pitchers to bonuses totaling $3.3 million.

“Zach fits what we’re looking for,” Pirates scouting director Greg Smith said Sunday. “He’s 6-4, 6-5, a big, physical guy with a good feel for pitching and room to keep growing as a pitcher. We were very excited to have the opportunity to draft him, and we would love to bring him into the organization.”

The Pirates previously signed eighth-rounder Colton Cain from Waxahachie, Texas for $1,125,000, fourth-rounder Zach Dodson of Medina Valley, Texas for $600,000 and seventh-rounder Turner Stevenson from Phoenix for $350,000. Cain and Dodson are left-handers and Stevenson is a right-hander.

“We don’t only need players in our organization, but we need good players and (Pirates chairman) Bob Nutting has given us the resources to sign these types of players,” Smith said. “When you look at the financial expectations of some of the players we’ve signed this year and last year, only the (big-market) teams like New York and Boston and some others can get involved. However, a lot of other teams just aren’t able to be involved, but we have been and that’s a tribute to Bob.”

The Pirates have signed their first

10 picks for a total of $7,886,900 and

21 of 50 overall. The signing deadline is midnight next Monday.

“We’re still talking to some of our picks and trying to get a few more signed,” Smith said. “Until you see exactly what you wind up getting, it’s hard to judge a draft class. To this point, though, we’re extremely happy.”

•••

Lefty update: General Manager Neal Huntington is sticking by his guns when it comes to the need for a left-handed reliever. While he would like to have a lefty in the bullpen, he does not think it is a necessity.

“I would prefer to have a left-handed relief pitcher who is a good pitcher rather than a left-handed relief pitcher who is just left-handed,” Huntington said Sunday before a 7-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park as the Pirates were swept in a three-game series. “I know a lot of people feel the lack of a left-handed reliever is the biggest reason we’ve been losing lately but I feel having a left-handed reliever, who does nothing more than come in to face one left-handed hitter, is a waste of a roster spot.”

Manager John Russell said Saturday he feels the Pirates need to get a viable lefty in the bullpen at some point. However, Huntington believes rookie right-handers Jesse Chavez and Evan Meek are effective in relief against left-handed hitters.

Huntington, though, would not rule out the idea of left-hander Phil Dumatrait going to the bullpen when he is activated from the disabled list. Dumatrait is working as a starter at Class AAA Indianapolis on an injury rehabilitation assignment after undergoing shoulder surgery last August.

•••

Morris update: Class A Lynchburg right-hander Bryan Morris remains under a Pirates-imposed suspension for unprofessional conduct. He was rated as the organization’s fifth-best prospect by Baseball America coming into this season but is 2-6 with a 5.91 ERA in

10 starts.

“He’ll be back at some point but we don’t have a timetable,” Huntington said.

“We’ve tried to use the time constructively to work on a few mechanical things with Bryan.”

•••

Up next: The Pirates are off today, then open a three-game series and six-game road trip at 8:40 p.m. Tuesday when they face the Colorado Rockies in Denver.

Ross Ohlendorf (9-8, 4.29) is scheduled to start for the Pirates against Josh Fogg (0-1, 1.93). Ohlendorf has won two of his last three decisions.

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