Monday’s “First Call” features some optimism for a late-round Steelers draft choice. Also, a tough recruiting loss for Pitt basketball, and a look at the Pirates’ upcoming series at PNC Park. Plus, former Pirate Andrew McCutchen is starting to get things right at home plate.
Sure would be nice
On Thursday, we posted a “Breakfast With Benz” column about the lack of depth at outside linebacker for the Steelers. The opportunity for playing time is part of the reason why the sixth-round selection of Quincy Roche seems to be getting some buzz nationally.
Over the weekend, Draft Wire (USA Today) listed Roche as the Steelers’ best “sleeper pick” of the 2021 selection process. And CBS Sports listed him on a rundown of potential “instant impact” Day 3 starters.
“There’s an opportunity for Roche to make a name for himself early in the NFL. And he has the game to do it,” said CBS’ Chris Trapasso. “Pittsburgh got him on the bargain rack in the sixth round. He likely fell because of his smaller stature on a subpar workout at the Miami pro day, but the former Temple and Miami star has a developed arsenal of pass-rushing moves and plays much bendier around the corner than his measured athleticism would indicate.”
Trapasso says that Roche has the make up to be “a classic, stand-up rush linebacker” in Pittsburgh.
That’s good. Because — with Bud Dupree having departed for Tennessee in free agency — beyond T.J. Watt and Roche, all the Steelers have are relatively unproven players in last year’s top backup Alex Highsmith and journeyman Cassius Marsh.
Hopefully, both outlets are right. But honestly, I’d call getting Najee Harris 24 picks into the first round the biggest steal of the Steelers draft.
Swing and a miss
The Pitt Panthers basketball team took a big swing at trying to land one of the top big men in the country.
But IMG Academy five-star center Efton Reid announced on Twitter that he was going to attend LSU instead.
Before all else I wanna thank God for everything that he has done for me and all that he is going to do for me.I want to thank my Circle for giving me the support and guidance during this journey. All I got to say is I’m Ready to get to Work ‼️‼️‼️#bootup pic.twitter.com/M5yzs0eTxf
— Efton (@efton15) May 9, 2021
Reid is widely considered one of the top five centers and top 25 overall players in the class of 2021. The Panthers and Tigers were on Reid’s list of final schools along with the likes of Florida State, Ohio State, North Carolina and Virginia.
Cutch punch
Former Pirate Andrew McCutchen is on a heater. And he needs it.
The Phillies outfielder hit this home run on the first pitch of the game Sunday against the Atlanta Braves.
Making Petrina proud. 🥰#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/zeRUrqGNIS
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 9, 2021
Philadelphia went on to win 6-1. McCutchen is now 10 for his last 25. His batting average has jumped from .176 to .227.
At 18-17, the Phillies are now a game back of the National League East-leading Mets (16-13). New York has won five in a row.
Seeing red
If the Pirates (14-19) are going to climb their way out of last place in the NL Central, this week would be a good time to start.
The Cincinnati Reds (15-16) are coming to town for a three-game set starting Monday night. They are the fourth-place team in the division, just two games in front of the Pirates. Tyler Mahle is slated to open the series against the Pirates’ Mitch Keller.
Cincy swept the Pirates during a three-game series last month, outscoring the Bucs 30-8 along the way. The Reds have split their last two series at a game apiece against the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. They took two of three games in their previous two series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
