Welcome Abe.
As a hobby bassist, I only recently got into pedals with my first and only purchase, a Zoom B3. I can see the advantages as you put them. Then I got a gift of a SBMM Ray34 with upgrades. Included were a Nordstrand pickup and a John East preamp, the three band one with mid sweep and the Bass/Treble modelled on the classic Stingray two band.
As a newcomer to anything MM, I am seriously impressed. I might even try to get a classic Ray since I'm enjoying this one so much. Funds don't allow for that however so it's a nice dream to hold.
As I haven't yet got used to using a three stop pedal, I favour the onboard amp despite having to keep batteries fresh. If I was gigging though, I might go the other way and run everything flat through the pedal.