Anthony Murphy
@anthonymurphy.bsky.social
Owner/Lead Writer: Bucs on Deck
Minor league contributor: DKPittsburghSports
Pirates correspondent: Baseball America
Minor league contributor: DKPittsburghSports
Pirates correspondent: Baseball America
Pinned
Bucs on Deck: Pirates Top 25 Prospects for 2025
The top 25 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization
bucsondeck.substack.com
New BoD: Check out our Top 25 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates system with full-player write-ups, including 2024 recaps, scouting reports, and an outlook for the 2025 season. Read about the top prospects in the Pirates' system here: bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...
Title at the bottom says Prime 9 because weh I originally submitted it, I only had nine topics, last minute I actually added two more, but had already submitted and it generated the link for it. Probably a way to change it, but, ehhh
New BoD: My season recap of the 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates presented as our weekly 10 Observations feature. I talk about Paul Skenes' Cy Young season, the other young arms, the offensive woes, plus much more. Read it all here: bucsondeck.substack.com/p/prime-9-re...
Prime 9: Recapping the Pittsburgh Pirates 2025 season
My final thoughts on the Pirates 2025 season
bucsondeck.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Title at the bottom says Prime 9 because weh I originally submitted it, I only had nine topics, last minute I actually added two more, but had already submitted and it generated the link for it. Probably a way to change it, but, ehhh
New BoD: My season recap of the 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates presented as our weekly 10 Observations feature. I talk about Paul Skenes' Cy Young season, the other young arms, the offensive woes, plus much more. Read it all here: bucsondeck.substack.com/p/prime-9-re...
Prime 9: Recapping the Pittsburgh Pirates 2025 season
My final thoughts on the Pirates 2025 season
bucsondeck.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 5:49 PM
New BoD: My season recap of the 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates presented as our weekly 10 Observations feature. I talk about Paul Skenes' Cy Young season, the other young arms, the offensive woes, plus much more. Read it all here: bucsondeck.substack.com/p/prime-9-re...
Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates system for 8/26:
AAA: Nick Dombkowski
AA: Wilber Dotel
A+: Connor Wietgrefe
A: Reinold Navarro
AAA: Nick Dombkowski
AA: Wilber Dotel
A+: Connor Wietgrefe
A: Reinold Navarro
August 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates system for 8/26:
AAA: Nick Dombkowski
AA: Wilber Dotel
A+: Connor Wietgrefe
A: Reinold Navarro
AAA: Nick Dombkowski
AA: Wilber Dotel
A+: Connor Wietgrefe
A: Reinold Navarro
The Bridge League down at the Complex is in full swing, and I was able to take in a Pirates' game. Here are my observations/standout players from the game, which included Raymond Mola, two deep sleeper prospects to watch in 2026, and 2025 draft picks, maybe? bucsondeck.substack.com/p/pirates-br...
Pirates' Bridge League Observations: Andres Silvera, Dariel Francia, Raymond Mola
Some looks at the Bridge League for the Pirates with a potential look at some recent draft picks.
bucsondeck.substack.com
August 10, 2025 at 9:58 PM
The Bridge League down at the Complex is in full swing, and I was able to take in a Pirates' game. Here are my observations/standout players from the game, which included Raymond Mola, two deep sleeper prospects to watch in 2026, and 2025 draft picks, maybe? bucsondeck.substack.com/p/pirates-br...
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a trade, sending Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for a reliever and prospect. Read more on the trade here on Bucs on Deck:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/pittsburgh...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/pittsburgh...
Pittsburgh Pirates trade Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds
Hayes heads to Reds for prospect and reliever
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:31 PM
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a trade, sending Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for a reliever and prospect. Read more on the trade here on Bucs on Deck:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/pittsburgh...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/pittsburgh...
New BoD: Our latest 10 Observations feature is out, with a final look at the 2025 MLB Draft for the Pirates, plus thoughts on Tony Blanco Jr., Reinold Navarro's fastball, and two FCL outfielders. Read more on the Pittsburgh Pirates organization here:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/10-observa...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/10-observa...
10 Observations: Final draft thoughts, FCL outfielders, Tony Blanco Jr.
Look around the system over the past week
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 21, 2025 at 9:09 PM
New BoD: Our latest 10 Observations feature is out, with a final look at the 2025 MLB Draft for the Pirates, plus thoughts on Tony Blanco Jr., Reinold Navarro's fastball, and two FCL outfielders. Read more on the Pittsburgh Pirates organization here:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/10-observa...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/10-observa...
Still time to get 30% off a yearly subscription when you become a paid member. Get access to this article, other player features, video breakdowns, and our Top 30 prospects in the Pirates' system:
The 2024 season was tough for Shalin Polanco, who repeated Single-A Bradenton. This offseason, he did some looking inwards and came to the realization he needed to approach the game differently mentally. Read more on the still just 21-year-old Polanco
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/shalin-pol...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/shalin-pol...
Shalin Polanco learning new mindset from failure
Polanco growing and learning from rough experiences
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 18, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Still time to get 30% off a yearly subscription when you become a paid member. Get access to this article, other player features, video breakdowns, and our Top 30 prospects in the Pirates' system:
The 2024 season was tough for Shalin Polanco, who repeated Single-A Bradenton. This offseason, he did some looking inwards and came to the realization he needed to approach the game differently mentally. Read more on the still just 21-year-old Polanco
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/shalin-pol...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/shalin-pol...
Shalin Polanco learning new mindset from failure
Polanco growing and learning from rough experiences
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The 2024 season was tough for Shalin Polanco, who repeated Single-A Bradenton. This offseason, he did some looking inwards and came to the realization he needed to approach the game differently mentally. Read more on the still just 21-year-old Polanco
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/shalin-pol...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/shalin-pol...
New BoD: The Pittsburgh Pirates took a giant swing and gambled on upside and tools. With the crapshoot that is the draft, you can't really ask for much more. My final look at the 2025 MLB Draft for the Pirates here:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
MLB Draft 2025: Pirates swing for the fences looking for tools, upside
Deep dive on the Pittsburgh Pirates 2025 draft class
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 16, 2025 at 3:22 PM
New BoD: The Pittsburgh Pirates took a giant swing and gambled on upside and tools. With the crapshoot that is the draft, you can't really ask for much more. My final look at the 2025 MLB Draft for the Pirates here:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
New BoD: I recap day two of the 2025 MLB Draft for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who go college hitter heavy, with a mix of a couple of intriguing prep arms. Read up on each pick the Pirates made on day two here:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
MLB Draft 2025: Pirates go college heavy in day two
Pirates draft eight college hitters on day two of the draft
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 15, 2025 at 2:34 PM
New BoD: I recap day two of the 2025 MLB Draft for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who go college hitter heavy, with a mix of a couple of intriguing prep arms. Read up on each pick the Pirates made on day two here:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
New BoD: The Pittsburgh Pirates made four selections on Day One of the MLB Draft. I break down each pick and then my overall thoughts on the new prospects in the Pirates' system:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...
Bucs on Deck: Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Midseason Update
Top 30 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 14, 2025 at 12:07 PM
New BoD: The Pittsburgh Pirates made four selections on Day One of the MLB Draft. I break down each pick and then my overall thoughts on the new prospects in the Pirates' system:
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...
New BoD: It's Draft day! Today, we have a complete breakdown, including where you can watch, what the mocks are saying, staff picks, and a recap on all our draft content, all in one place. Check it out before the Pittsburgh Pirates pick at 1.6
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...
Bucs on Deck 2025 Draft Preview
Complete look at the 2025 MLB Draft
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 13, 2025 at 3:23 PM
New BoD: It's Draft day! Today, we have a complete breakdown, including where you can watch, what the mocks are saying, staff picks, and a recap on all our draft content, all in one place. Check it out before the Pittsburgh Pirates pick at 1.6
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...
New BoD: Continuing our draft coverage, we take a look at nearly 20 pitchers that should fall outside the first round that could fit in with the Pirates. Dug deep to find some late-round intriguing names, plus some prep names to target. Read more here
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
MLB Draft 2025: Pitchers to watch outside the first round
Intriguing 2025 draft eligible pitchers
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
New BoD: Continuing our draft coverage, we take a look at nearly 20 pitchers that should fall outside the first round that could fit in with the Pirates. Dug deep to find some late-round intriguing names, plus some prep names to target. Read more here
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
Decided to keep running the 30% off yearly subscriptions through the draft so now you get access to our top 30 midseason update, but also this and all other draft-related content, player features, and video breakdowns
Averages less than $3/month for year
bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe
Averages less than $3/month for year
bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe
July 10, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Decided to keep running the 30% off yearly subscriptions through the draft so now you get access to our top 30 midseason update, but also this and all other draft-related content, player features, and video breakdowns
Averages less than $3/month for year
bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe
Averages less than $3/month for year
bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe
The 2025 MLB draft is close, and I take a look at some of the options that the Pittsburgh Pirates have while making the sixth overall pick on Sunday. I break down eight potential names plus my own 'big board' for the Pirates' first pick this year. bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
MLB Draft 2025: Who will be available for the Pittsburgh Pirates?
Exploring the options at the sixth overall pick for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The 2025 MLB draft is close, and I take a look at some of the options that the Pittsburgh Pirates have while making the sixth overall pick on Sunday. I break down eight potential names plus my own 'big board' for the Pirates' first pick this year. bucsondeck.substack.com/p/mlb-draft-...
New BoD: Jesus Castillo made a drastic change at the plate this year, he went from a switch hitter to just hitting right handed. That's allowed him to gain confidence, which has led to some late-game success at the plate. Read more on Castillo here: bucsondeck.substack.com/p/jesus-cast...
Jesus Castillo gaining confidence after making swing change
Castillo went from switch-hitting to only hitting right-handed going into 2025
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 4, 2025 at 6:18 PM
New BoD: Jesus Castillo made a drastic change at the plate this year, he went from a switch hitter to just hitting right handed. That's allowed him to gain confidence, which has led to some late-game success at the plate. Read more on Castillo here: bucsondeck.substack.com/p/jesus-cast...
Good time to say that we are still running a special on Bucs on Deck. Get a 30% discount on a yearly subscription when you become a paid member.
Get access to this, video breakdowns, and our Top 30 list that comes with full scouting reports on each player.
bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe
Get access to this, video breakdowns, and our Top 30 list that comes with full scouting reports on each player.
bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe
July 3, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Good time to say that we are still running a special on Bucs on Deck. Get a 30% discount on a yearly subscription when you become a paid member.
Get access to this, video breakdowns, and our Top 30 list that comes with full scouting reports on each player.
bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe
Get access to this, video breakdowns, and our Top 30 list that comes with full scouting reports on each player.
bucsondeck.substack.com/subscribe
Duce Gourson was the Pirates' 9th-round pick in the 2024 draft. He was the first from that class to reach Greensboro, and then also the first to reach Altoona this season. He did that due to his consistent 'professional at-bats.' Read more on the UCLA product bucsondeck.substack.com/p/profession...
'Professional at-bats' paved way to quick rise to Altoona for Duce Gourson
Ninth-round pick in 2024 becomes first from class to reach Double-A
bucsondeck.substack.com
July 3, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Duce Gourson was the Pirates' 9th-round pick in the 2024 draft. He was the first from that class to reach Greensboro, and then also the first to reach Altoona this season. He did that due to his consistent 'professional at-bats.' Read more on the UCLA product bucsondeck.substack.com/p/profession...
We did our midseason update on the Top 30 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates system on Bucs on Deck. The article has full scouting reports plus updates on the 2025 season for each player. Get a 30% discount on a yearly subscription when you sign up today bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...
Bucs on Deck: Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Midseason Update
Top 30 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization
bucsondeck.substack.com
June 27, 2025 at 6:40 PM
We did our midseason update on the Top 30 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates system on Bucs on Deck. The article has full scouting reports plus updates on the 2025 season for each player. Get a 30% discount on a yearly subscription when you sign up today bucsondeck.substack.com/p/bucs-on-de...
Probably pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/21 (according to the MiLB app).
AAA: Sean Sullivan
AA: Blake Townsend
A+: Antwone Kelly
A: Victor Cabreja
AAA: Sean Sullivan
AA: Blake Townsend
A+: Antwone Kelly
A: Victor Cabreja
June 21, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Probably pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/21 (according to the MiLB app).
AAA: Sean Sullivan
AA: Blake Townsend
A+: Antwone Kelly
A: Victor Cabreja
AAA: Sean Sullivan
AA: Blake Townsend
A+: Antwone Kelly
A: Victor Cabreja
Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/11 (according to the MiLB app)
AAA - Bubba Chandler
AA - Wilber Dotel
A+ - Khristian Curtis
A - Matt Ager
AAA - Bubba Chandler
AA - Wilber Dotel
A+ - Khristian Curtis
A - Matt Ager
June 11, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/11 (according to the MiLB app)
AAA - Bubba Chandler
AA - Wilber Dotel
A+ - Khristian Curtis
A - Matt Ager
AAA - Bubba Chandler
AA - Wilber Dotel
A+ - Khristian Curtis
A - Matt Ager
Our weekly top-performers in the Pittsburgh Pirates' system for last week are out, and Konnor Griffin closed out his time in Bradenton with a strong performance. Who else played well? Find out here bucsondeck.substack.com/p/minor-leag...
Minor-league top performers: Griffin has strong final week in Bradenton
Griffin has strong week before promotion to Greensboro
bucsondeck.substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Our weekly top-performers in the Pittsburgh Pirates' system for last week are out, and Konnor Griffin closed out his time in Bradenton with a strong performance. Who else played well? Find out here bucsondeck.substack.com/p/minor-leag...
Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/10 (according to the MiLB app)
AAA: Carmen Mlodzinski
AA: Blake Townsend
A+: Antwone Kelly
A: Victor Cabreja
AAA: Carmen Mlodzinski
AA: Blake Townsend
A+: Antwone Kelly
A: Victor Cabreja
June 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/10 (according to the MiLB app)
AAA: Carmen Mlodzinski
AA: Blake Townsend
A+: Antwone Kelly
A: Victor Cabreja
AAA: Carmen Mlodzinski
AA: Blake Townsend
A+: Antwone Kelly
A: Victor Cabreja
Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/6 (according to the MiLB app)
AAA: Hunter Barco
AA: Cy Nielson
A+: Connor Wietgrefe
A: Peyton Stumbo
AAA: Hunter Barco
AA: Cy Nielson
A+: Connor Wietgrefe
A: Peyton Stumbo
June 6, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Probable pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 6/6 (according to the MiLB app)
AAA: Hunter Barco
AA: Cy Nielson
A+: Connor Wietgrefe
A: Peyton Stumbo
AAA: Hunter Barco
AA: Cy Nielson
A+: Connor Wietgrefe
A: Peyton Stumbo
Reposted by Anthony Murphy
The Pacers take 2-0 series lead with 114-109 road win!
Tyrese Haliburton: 14 PTS, 11 AST
Myles Turner: 16 PTS, 3 REB, 2 BLK
Game 3 at Indiana: Sun, 5/25 at 8:00pm/et on TNT.
Tyrese Haliburton: 14 PTS, 11 AST
Myles Turner: 16 PTS, 3 REB, 2 BLK
Game 3 at Indiana: Sun, 5/25 at 8:00pm/et on TNT.
May 24, 2025 at 3:26 AM
The Pacers take 2-0 series lead with 114-109 road win!
Tyrese Haliburton: 14 PTS, 11 AST
Myles Turner: 16 PTS, 3 REB, 2 BLK
Game 3 at Indiana: Sun, 5/25 at 8:00pm/et on TNT.
Tyrese Haliburton: 14 PTS, 11 AST
Myles Turner: 16 PTS, 3 REB, 2 BLK
Game 3 at Indiana: Sun, 5/25 at 8:00pm/et on TNT.