Report: Cain To Sign With Buccos

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on their website Thursday that Texas baseball commit Colton Cain, a pitcher/first baseman from Waxahachie, is set to sign with the Pirates and forgo his Longhorn career. Besides outfielder Everett Williams, who is still unsigned, Cain stood since the major league draft as the most likely Texas commit to turn pro, especially considering Pittsburgh's strong desire to continue rebuilding their farm system.

Cain will become the second Longhorn commit to sign with the Pirates after Robbie Grossman signed in a similar situation last year after receiving a well-above slot bonus. As a Pirates fan in my early years, seeing the demise of the franchise has been frustrating and the Dave Littlefield years saw numerous terrible decisions, but it's equally frustrating for me as a Longhorn fan to see the Pirates stealing players who could contribute to a national championship at Texas.

Speaking of which, Cain would have filled major needs for the Longhorns as a potential candidate to replace Brandon Belt, who hasn't signed with the Giants yet but probably will, and as a left-hander out of the bullpen to help replace Austin Wood. Will losing Cain keep the Longhorns from winning a national championship? Probably not, but he certainly could have helped.

(h/t Bucs Dugout)

[Update]It's official now, Cain is reportedly $1.15 million richer. Good luck to him in the Pirates system, though it certainly hurts.

almost 3 years ago Wescott Eberts (GoBR) 11 comments 0 recs |

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Comments

Colton Cain

I agree 100% on Cain being a good 1st baseman in 2010, definitely assuming Belt will sign. GOBR, do you think Walsh can play first? I could see Moldenhauer, but 5’10" first basemen are somewhat rare. My worst case scenario would be David Hernandez (I hope not) moving over to first with his .270 average, 2 homers and 25 RBI.

by Longhorn90 on Aug 7, 2009 2:37 PM CDT reply actions

I don't see Hernandez playing anywhere.

But I do think Walsh probably has the inside track assigning that both Belt and Cain do sign. For Cain, I think he’s missing out on an opportunity to do a lot of hitting — the Pirates are going to make him a pitcher and unless he remains as a starter, all that ability at the plate could just go to waste. Sad.

by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Aug 7, 2009 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't see Moldenhauer there either because of his height, as you mention.

by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Aug 7, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions

David Hernandez

David isnt an option to play anywhere next year. He signed a free agent deal with the Rockies after the end of the season.

by pitchingguru on Aug 9, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Good catch

That certainly would hurt his chances in the 1B race

by 40AS on Aug 9, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions

No real shocker there

Although would’ve been great to get him on campus. Kevin Keyes is just about the only player on the team with the 1B prototypical size but I’d doubt he gets moved. 1B will be the most interesting competition to follow in the offseason now.

by 40AS on Aug 7, 2009 4:12 PM CDT reply actions

I think so

partly because you expect so much production at the plate from the corner positions. I think second base will be interesting to watch as the battle develops between recently-signed Noah Perio and Jordan Etier — hopefully one or the other can fill one of the top two spots in the order, although now that I think about it, Brandon Loy will probably slot into that second spot with his ability to get a bunt down.

Is it weird that I’m almost as excited and willing to talk about Texas baseball as I am about football? Key word there — almost.

by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Aug 7, 2009 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions

We had a brilliant year

I think many will brush this year aside. I hope not, but that’s what I foresee.

"From the waist down, Earl Campbell has the biggest legs I have ever seen on a running back." -John Madden

by run Bevo run on Aug 7, 2009 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions

By comparison

The Pirates paid their 7th rounder $350,000 and last year’s 8th rounder got $900,000…the Pirates are obnoxious, again.

by 40AS on Aug 9, 2009 11:05 AM CDT reply actions

Round 1, Pick 29

That’s a pick that’s slotted for a $1.125 million bonus. That speaks to Colton’s talent but also the absurdity of the way Pittsburgh is running their system.

by 40AS on Aug 9, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Some services rated Cain about that highly.

The Pirates are putting a great emphasis on improving their farm system and signing guys like Cain is a big step in that direction. After saving money on the major-league team and not having to pay Sanchez a lot of money at the top of the draft, paying Cain is hardly something I would consider absurd. Dave Littlefield whole existence is absurd, not Neil Huntington’s moves heading the Pirates. I hate it as a Longhorn fan, but as a Pirates fan, it’s exactly what they have to do — pay above-slot money for above-slot players.

by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Aug 9, 2009 11:55 PM CDT up reply actions