DK’s Daily Shot of Pirates: New hitting coach?

14 comments

1. Seriously, Matt Hague? Maybe those who can't do, teach?

2. Can't wait to see Da'wreck Shelton do his Raygun imitation again!! What other team would give this embarrassment six years!?

3. Good luck Matt Hague (you'll need it).

4. One thing for certain, he had to be the cheapest option.

5. Who knows ? He might be the next balin

6. Good luck to Hague. He will need it. When your GM brings in players like De La Cruz, a hitting coach has no chance. Like trying to make steak out of hamburger.

7. I'll take it. Hopefully he's not a total yes man and will implement his way of doing things. Cherrington can't fire him being the position Cherrington is in. He did get high marks from our friends N of the border. That in itself is an improvement over what we've had to deal with.
   GL to Mr Matt.

8. A Pirates connection! A Toronto Blue Jays connection! Even a New Hampshire connection! (I held my breath while I searched to find out if Matt Hague attended Amherst College at any point in time.)

   Does Pirates ownership or management EVER consider hiring a competent individual completely outside their "bubble" and sphere of influence? Or would that produce an overwhelming level of anxiety for them (and for any outside candidate mulling over the risks of being employed by this horrendous Pirates franchise)?

   From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

   "In Hague’s lone season in Toronto working alongside hitting coach Guillermo Martinez, the Blue Jays offense largely scuffled. Despite a roster that featured superstars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and Daulton Varsho on a regular basis, Toronto scored only six more runs than the Pirates in 2024, good for 23rd in MLB. The Blue Jays as a team smacked fewer homers than the Pirates, too."

   I just don't see a scenario where Hague will be left alone. In Cherington's eyes, Hague is likely viewed as the perfect hire to assume the role of continuing the implementation of Cherington's unproductive and embarrassing hitting philosophy.

   And Hague will also be the THIRD hitting coach under Derek Shelton.

   Priceless.

9. im not "joking" its totally bizarre that any player stands there looking at strike 3 ! im tired of hearing they got locked up ! from an early age I was taught to choke up and shorten up your stroke and protect the plate when you are down 2 strikes and especially down in the count .this group of pirates seem fine with striking out like that and striking out in general ! there is zero shame in their game regarding strike outs !

10. Fire Cherington

11. Can we have the Ray's play at PNC Park next year and the pirates play at some minor league park? We could watch a real organization for a year at least

12. Thank you DK, Wishing Matt Hague the best and a warm welcome. Let him work to do his best. Great show DK

13. I've said this all along, nothing matters if they don't change the "Process!"

14. A Trey Cabbage pickup last week & now this news . Yawn. Wake me up when The Yankees come in for the 2025 Opening Day series & the only bright spot will be Skenes (again)😆