Mailbag: Where might the Pirates add, Konnor Griffin's improvement and more

Off day, flight to Phoenix ... perfect time for a mailbag. Lots of great questions, too. Thank you. Tried to get to as many as possible. If you have a question for a future mailbag, I’m at Jason.Mackey@pirates.com.

winningseason24 (@winningseason24): What position does [Pirates general manager] Ben Cherington address first to improve if the Bucs are winning by mid-June?

Jason Mackey: This seemed to be the most popular ask of the week, along with where Konnor Griffin hits in the order. But I picked this because I. think there’s a little more meat to the question.

Right now, an extra arm or two would be my choice. Maybe that’s a starter or a reliever. I wouldn’t have any issue with both. There’s also information we need to gain in the form of Jared Jones’ return, how that impacts Carmen Mlodzinski, what becomes of Wilber Dotel and more.

But if you go around the diamond — again, we can’t really assume injury — and the options are minimal. That's a good thing. Catcher would be about the only one at this point. Maybe another bat if Marcell Ozuna doesn't pick it up.(I think he will.)

I gave some consideration to third base. However, as I type this, Nick Gonzales is hitting .328 with a .752 OPS. Should that continue, he deserves to play every day.

Reasonable Pirates Fan (@ReasonableBucs): Do you think Konnor Griffin stays where he’s at in the lineup, or do you think he moves at all?

Jason Mackey: Have a few thoughts on this, starting with a slight surprise that this is a thing.

I’m fine with how they’ve brought Griffin along. If anything, they’ve allowed him to grow in a reduced role. I think it’s far better than batting him leadoff or second and demanding a ton. I think less pressure has helped.

That said, he’s hitting .405 with a 1.139 OPS over his past 10. It’s reasonable to think they should move him up, and I think we’re probably getting close to that. Wouldn’t mind seeing a bump up to No. 6, then see how he responds.

You could have him lead off and move Oneil Cruz, though I think I’d rather take a half-step first before doing that.

It's also not the end of the world. Offense has been pretty darn good.

Dylan F. Nasse (@Dylfreakinnasse): At this rate, what is a realistic timeline for Seth Hernandez to make it to the Majors?

Jason Mackey: Next year? Assuming there’s a season, of course.

Should this continue, Hernandez could easily finish in Double-A. If he does that, he probably starts there again in 2027, makes it to Triple-A and conceivably puts himself in a position to make his MLB debut.

Do I think that’s going to happen? No, I don’t. I think it’s probably a little too aggressive, a little too optimistic. I think more likely is 2028. Maybe I should have started there.

But ability-wise, Hernandez is far beyond Low-A. His issue is building volume. It’s a little different than Paul Skenes in that respect.

Jake Bauer (@jakepbauer): Will Jhostynxon Garcia have a role on the big league club at any point this year? Do you think he’ll be a favorite to earn a spot in the lineup next year?

Jason Mackey: This isn’t going to be a sexy answer, Jake. But I don’t know. I promise there’s a reason behind why I’m saying that.

Garcia made a great impression on the Pirates during Spring Training. They really liked his defense, and obviously his bat was solid. But once he got to Triple-A, he struggled.

Should Garcia hit at Triple-A, sure, he’ll put himself in position. I also have a tough time seeing them promote him to take the Billy Cook role. Garcia needs to play.

With Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, Ryan O’Hearn and Jake Mangum entrenched as their top four outfielders, this year and next year, there’s not really a clear path to playing time, hence my answer.

But if he hits and something changes …

Jill Balmer (@MSPgal58): Is it fair Braxton Ashcraft can pitch a gem like he did Sunday and not get the win?

Jason Mackey: No, Jill. It is definitely not fair. I had that same thought.

McMacN (@McManN1): Does our skipper have too quick a trigger on pitching changes, particularly with the starters?

Jason Mackey: I think he’s made moves where he’s pulled a starter too soon. I didn't like that quick hook to Mitch Keller early on. I also think the game has changed. Example from Sunday: The Pirates preferred matching up with Gregory Soto over Ashcraft going a fourth time through.

Are they wrong? Isn’t that why they signed Soto?

I get the disagreement, though. I have them sometimes, as well, and I’ve gone back and forth with Kelly on it. Ultimately my decision means nothing. His matters. He’s weighing not only what’s going on with the starter but also taking a deep dive into the remainder of the game.

The depth of that would probably surprise you. He’s looking at upcoming hitters, the type of stuff they hit and struggle with and how Pirates pitchers can best neutralize that. Handedness obviously plays a big part. It’s a lot more about betting odds than it is gut feel. And as much as someone of us might hate this idea, it’s hardly unique to the Pirates.

Warren (@WarrenTMcC): With Jared Jones currently on a rehab assignment, when does he return and how do you envision the starting five whenever he’s ready?

Jason Mackey: Safe bet would be early June. More aggressive, late May. But either way, he’s looking like the Jared Jones of old. Very encouraging.

Whenever he’s ready, assuming nothing else changes, I'd imagine Paul Skenes, Keller, Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler and Jones, with Carmen Mlodzinski functioning as a piggyback or long man out of the ‘pen.

You’re going to have innings concerns with Ashcraft and Chandler, so I also wouldn’t hate keeping six or even taking another look at Dotel. My point: I don’t think it’s going to be a traditional five-man rotation. They’ll have to get a little creative.

nafscub (@nafscub): If MLB required insiders to rotate through all 30 teams one year at a time, which team would you cover in 2027? Which would you put off until year 30? Why?

Jason Mackey: This is good. Thank you for the unique and very thoughtful question.

It’s not the least bit practical, but if we’re doing fanciful questions — and we are — then my answer is easy: Giants. Grateful Dead Mecca. My favorite place on the planet.

Others that would be up high: Nationals, Cardinals (I like St. Louis, which is one of the best baseball cities in America), Cubs and Padres.

Last might be the Rockies. Not a big Denver fan. Team is struggling. Phillies would also be a kick-the-can candidate for obvious reasons.

Can’t say I’d be in a hurry to cover the White Sox or Angels, but at least I could enjoy the surroundings.

QueenMargaret (@HRHMag13): Is the bouncy house still in the locker room?

Jason Mackey: It is not. Actually that night it was deflated and in a crumpled mess. Given how the Cardinals series went, figured we weren’t going to see that thing again. Little different than the success they experienced with the cone.

Juice (@juice9533): How’s Chuck in Uniontown? Haven’t heard much from him lately.

Jason Mackey: He’s doing great, as far as I know. Talked to him last week on Bucco Talk. Hope to hear from him again Saturday. Would certainly like to get him back to PNC Park this season. What a goodman.

BiggusJakeus (@BiggusJakeus): What do the Pirates need to see Rafael Flores Jr. hit in Triple-A this year before they call him up? Or Endy?

Jason Mackey: There’s no firm number I can give you on this. But I can outline the catching situation.

They’re paying Joey Bart. That contract is guaranteed. I understand the numbers are lower than anyone — including him — would like. But I also believe they’re going to let him work out of it. As they should.

Secondly, given how he has hit, if they make a move, I would think Endy is actually ahead of Flores. I could be wrong, but he offers more defensive value. Rodriguez has also been the better hitter in Triple-A.

I know this is a frustrating thing for fans. Got a bunch of questions on it. But I expect them to ride it out more with Bart and Henry Davis for that matter. Davis is a 1-1 pick who has actually been pretty valuable with his defense.

There will be a time and place for a Triple-A catcher, assuming those guys hit, but I don’t get the sense they’re close to making a move at the Major League level.

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.