PBN Around the Horn: Can Playoffs in the Minors Breed a Winning Culture?

Welcome to the PBN Around the Horn. Here you’ll find news and notes from across Major League Baseball, your Pittsburgh Pirates, and around the Sports Now network.

Monday is a scheduled off day for the Pirates so let’s get into a topic that’s on many people’s noggins. Since the minor leagues are having some sort of a playoff this year, does this spark a “winning culture” early in these young Pirates’ prospects? The simple answer is yes, but why?

Obviously, winning can provide more opportunities for at-bats and innings pitched, but it’s what’s under the surface that starts a culture. Winning builds camaraderie, confidence, and a sense of oneness. Now winning in High-A doesn’t translate to the majors, but it could provide a glimpse into the future. 

UPDATE (1:58 p.m.) Pirates prospect Endy Rodriguez has won Low-A Southeast Player of the Week for Bradenton. During that week, Rodriguez hit .387 with an OPS of 1.135.

Congrats to our very own Endy Rodríguez, Low-A Southeast Player of the Week for the week of September 6-12!

He hit .387 with 2 HR and 9 RBI and posted a 1.135 OPS during the week! 👊 pic.twitter.com/X0M4IvK1Z9

— Bradenton Marauders (@The_Marauders) September 13, 2021

Pittsburgh Baseball Now Notes

Injury updates on Brubaker, Brault, and Chavis 

Wilson gets bit by the home run bug in a 6-2 loss

David Bednar is experiencing right side discomfort

Pirates Prospects Notes

John Dreker is back and was better than ever for us prospect fans. On Sunday, there were three dominant pitching performances and more. John gives us all the details on the prospect watch.

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