Nate Schwartz, Slug Magazine Journalist Profile

Articles

José Soriano is Quietly an Angels Pitching Success

1 week ago | pitcherlist.com | Nate Schwartz

+ A high velocity groundballer is always an intriguing profile. There’s an eerie feeling when you learn about a pitcher in Los Angeles, for reasons that could not be further apart. For pitchers who call Chavez Ravine their home, the player development pipeline is one of the best in baseball, but it comes with immense injury risk. For those who reside in Anaheim, the Angels hold the longest active postseason drought and don’t seem close to breaking it.
There’s Still Hope for Ryne Nelson

2 weeks ago | pitcherlist.com | Nate Schwartz

+ Can the Diamondbacks get a big lift on the pitching front? The run prevention in Arizona has not gone according to plan this season. After posting the 4th-worst ERA in baseball last year, the Diamondbacks signed Corbin Burnes to give their league-leading offense a much-needed counterpart. Two months into the season, Burnes and others are down with Tommy John Surgery, while promising arms like Zac Gallen and Brandon Pfaadt have regressed substantially.
Pasquatch Sighting: Vinnie Pasquantino is Turning the Corner

3 weeks ago | pitcherlist.com | Nate Schwartz

+ It's important to stay true to your roots. There’s nothing like a sports nickname that gets taken too far. Vinnie Pasquantino, or the “Pasquatch” as some may know him, burst into the big leagues with a strong 2022, so much so that the Royals had a man in a Sasquatch costume make appearances whenever he gets on base.
Ryan Pepiot is Still Tinkering

1 month ago | pitcherlist.com | Nate Schwartz

+ The Rays pitcher is trying to reinvent himself, but at what cost? The perception of Ryan Pepiot’s 2025 depends on where you look. On the surface, a 3.55 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 20.0% strikeout rate is mostly underwhelming for the 27-year-old who posted a 3.60 ERA and 26.3% strikeout rate last year. Even though the ERA looks good, estimators all suggest Pepiot is getting very lucky to start the year. Looking through the box scores, there’s only one abysmal start.
Lawrence Butler has Lost His Way

1 month ago | pitcherlist.com | Nate Schwartz

+ More hittable pitches doesn't always result in success. After an exciting breakout season in 2024, Lawrence Butler picked up where he left off to start 2025. Fresh off signing a seven-year, $65.5M extension with the Athletics in March, Butler had a 138 wRC+ through April 23rd, pacing ahead of his 2024 130 wRC+. He added four home runs and five stolen bases, putting him in the early running for a 30/30 season.
City of Coos Bay accepts $35,000 grant for wildfire staffing, proclaims Wildfire Awareness Month

1 month ago | theworldlink.com | Nate Schwartz

At the Coos Bay City Council meeting on May 5, 2025, the City proclaimed May as Wildfire Awareness Month. Coincidentally, during that same meeting they accepted a $35,000 grant from the Oregon State Fire Marshal to assist with staffing during fire season. Summer months can put a strain on staffing for a multitude of reasons. Student firefighters are away on summer break, with career members of fire department staff taking personal vacation time.
Pitchers Are Not Adequately Terrified of Aaron Judge

1 month ago | pitcherlist.com | Nate Schwartz

+ The best hitter on the planet is not respected by his peers. Do I really need to introduce Aaron Judge? The Yankees’ superstar is tearing the cover off the ball this year at a level we didn’t think was possible. His .414/.500/.783 slashline leads baseball across all categories, giving him an OPS that is .232 higher than the next closest player, Shohei Ohtani. That’s the difference between 2nd and 42nd (Maikel Garcia, for reference).
Reedsport comes together to celebrate BubsFest with help from Make-A-Wish

1 month ago | theworldlink.com | Nate Schwartz

April 29 marked World Wish Day, an annual celebration of the first Make-A-Wish ever granted by the organization, but in Reedsport it went by a different name this year: BubsFest. Local teen Brian ‘Bubs’ Reynolds could have wished for anything, but he chose to turn his special day into one the whole community could celebrate with him.
Is Matthew Liberatore on the Verge of a Breakout?

2 months ago | pitcherlist.com | Nate Schwartz

+ The Cardinals are in need of a pitcher like this. Asking if a player is on the verge of a breakout is the quintessential question when it comes to analysis. Understanding why someone believes a player is ready for an unexpected performance boost is what elevates a good team to a great team, or even transforms the long-term perspective of a current team’s structure.
Low-income housing development breaks ground, first of its kind in 40 years

2 months ago | theworldlink.com | Nate Schwartz

On a rainy Thursday afternoon in North Bend, representatives from a number of organizations gathered for the groundbreaking on the North Bend Family Housing project at the site of the former Bangor School. Led by the North Bend City/Coos Curry Housing Authority (NBC/CCHA), this is the first low-income housing development of its size in 40 years.