Baseball America recently released their staff mock draft for the first 39 selections of the draft. Five of their writers, including Ben Badler, Carlos Collazo, JJ Cooper, Peter Flaherty, and Geoff Pontes, did their mock draft. The Pittsburgh Pirates have two selections in the first 39 picks. That includes the 9th overall pick and the 37th overall pick, with Pontes getting to choose the 9th pick and Badler taking the 37th pick. The two players they selected would build upon the biggest strength of the organization, but many fans probably wouldn’t like it as it ignores the weakest part of the system.

Pontes has right-handed pitcher Trey Yesavage trading in his East Carolina Pirates uniform for a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. Yesavage has had a great season, working to a 2.09 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 4.96 K:BB ratio through 86 frames. Yesavage has struck out a staggering 41.7% of the batters he’s faced to pair with a strong 8.4% walk rate. He’s also only allowed four home runs this season.

Yesavage throws four pitches, all sitting at an above-average level or better. He isn’t like the Pirates’ last first-round pick pitcher, Paul Skenes, as he only sits 93-95 MPH, but it plays as an above-average pitch already because of its carry. His two breaking pitches include a slider and a curveball. Of the two, the former is the better. It’s a mid-80s offering with good lateral movement, according to MLB Pipeline. But his curveball is still a good pitch. His splitter gives him a plus off-speed offering.

Yesavage keeps his arm short in his wind-up and delivers the ball from an overhead arm slot. He is also from Pennsylvania, Pottstown to be specific. This arm slot also helps his fastball get good vertical movement through the zone. He will turn 21 soon after the draft and is considered a top-12 draft prospect by most outlets.

Kuhns is also a PA pitcher, hailing from the historic town of Gettysburg. He is a projectable arm as he stands at 6’3”, 177-LBS. The lanky right-hander can hit the mid-90s. Along with some projectability, he has a quick arm that should help him add velo as he ages. But his curveball is a fun pitch to watch. Kuhns’ breaking offering can hit 3000 RPM. He also can spin his slider well.

Now, it’s still only a mock draft. Nothing is set in stone, so take it for what you will. But if the Pirates truly went this direction with their picks (or even just took one pitcher with their first two picks), you’d almost have to assume they would deal from within the system at the trade deadline for controllable position players. Either way, this would add to a system that has arguably the most pitching depth among any team. However, we shall see how the Pirates draft come July.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The first FDA-approved pill to treat postpartum depression was approved a few months ago, and it’s already helping moms in the Pittsburgh area.

About one in eight women who have given birth experience symptoms of postpartum depression.

An Allegheny Health Network doctor told KDKA-TV that the medication allows them to receive treatment at home with their baby and family by their side.

If you’re feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed after giving birth, you don’t have to tackle it by yourself.

“If you are at all feeling distressed or this is feeling hard, that’s okay there are resources to help,” said Dr.  Ewurama Sackey, medical director at AHN Women’s Behavioral Health. 

She said the first pill for postpartum depression, Zurzuvae (Zuranolone), is giving moms new hope. The medication is taken at nighttime for 14 days. About 10 or 15 of her patients have taken it so far.

“One patient told me she feels more like herself, so she feels more like herself than she had even during her pregnancy, so she feels back to herself prior to pregnancy,” Dr. Sackey said.

Before this medication, women could take anti-depressants, which take longer to work, or get the similar neuro-steroid, Brexanolone, which requires an IV injection and a stay in the hospital for a few days.

“You can’t be at home or your family or your baby, and so this medication is much different in that you can have the supports at home, you can continue to foster attachment with your family, with your baby,” Dr. Sackey said.

Dr. Sackey said Zurzuvae’s side effects can include feeling tired, dizzy, or lightheaded and if severe, the dose can be decreased.

She’s seen the benefits of using it for both mild/moderate and more severe PPD.

She said fast-acting prescription drug helps improve mood during a critical time when hormones are fluctuating.

“We want to help people get better as soon as possible. We know that after giving birth, people are at the highest risk versus anywhere in their reproductive lives for the risk of suicide,” Dr. Sackey said.

PPD symptoms can be similar to depression like low mood and isolation.

“But also, things related to your baby like thinking, ‘I’m not a good mom or parent, this baby doesn’t like me, I’m not good enough, I will never be good enough, this isn’t for me,’” Dr. Sackey said.

Dr. Sackey said that it’s critically important to talk to your doctors about what can best help you.

If it’s taking this medication, the real work happens after that.

“Medication alone is not going to cure or help all of PPD. It’s really important that people engage in therapy, and that does take a longer amount of time,” she said. “This is for the family, this is for their future and so we’re here for you, we support you and we care about you,” she added.