Tuesday, March 26, 2013
by Tom Singer / MLB.com
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Believing they will be season-long contenders who can benefit from the efforts and voices of experience, the Pirates keep stocking up on veterans, such as infielders John McDonald and Brandon Inge.
If Felix Pie does not join the crowd, it won't be for lack of trying. The fleet outfielder, who packs surprising power in a lithe frame, has spent weeks impressing manager Clint Hurdle.
"He has had a very good camp," Hurdle said of the 28-year-old, lefty-swinging Dominican. "He's battled through some adversity with teams that put a lot of expectations on him, and he has found a comfort zone as far as playing the game with his strengths.
"You can put him anywhere in the outfield and he can get the ball. He can steal a base, the bat has shown up, and there hasn't been a lot of give against left-handed pitching. So he's playing as good a ball as I've ever seen him play."
Pie has certainly gotten a chance to state his case. His start in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays marked his 27th Grapefruit League appearance, the most of anyone on the team. He went 1-for-2, bumping his average up to .318. His 15 hits include six for extra bases -- three doubles, two homers and a triple.
Posted on March 26, 2013 at 06:38 PM.
Sanchez Settles After Early Runs in Final Spring Start
| Pittsburgh Pirates at Toronto Blue Jays | ||||||||||||
| Mar 26, 2013 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Pittsburgh (12-17-1) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| Toronto (13-16) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | X | 6 | 10 | 1 |
| W: Romero, R (1-1, 6.23) L: Sanchez, J (1-2, 5.50) S: Hinshaw | ||||||||||||
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Rajai Davis and Adam Lind each homered as the Blue Jays defeated the Pirates, 6-3, on Tuesday afternoon at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.
The Blue Jays got to Pittsburgh left-hander Jonathan Sanchez early for three runs in the first inning. J.P. Arencibia came to the plate with two men on and delivered an RBI single to right field for Toronto's first run, temporarily tying the score at 1 after the Pirates put up a run in the top of the first.
Utility man Mark DeRosa followed Arencibia with a sacrifice fly to right, and Adam Lind added an RBI double to cap the three-run inning. Sanchez was then able to settle down, with a solo home run from Davis in the fourth the only other blemish in his 4 2/3 frames.
Sanchez came back out for the fifth before departing with two outs. The 30-year-old was charged with all four runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking just one. Sanchez's start came just hours after he was informed by the Pirates that he will be on the Opening Day roster, slated to be the fourth starter in their rotation.
Toronto added another run in the sixth on a solo home run to right field by Lind. It was Lind's second homer of the Grapefruit League season and his seventh RBI in 20 games.
Left-hander Ricky Romero got the call for Toronto and had a somewhat rocky start despite some soft-hit balls early in the game. The Pirates' first-inning run came after Starling Marte led off with a soft single to right. Marte stole second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a RBI groundout by Gaby Sanchez.
Garret Jones led off the second with a double and Romero walked the next batter, but he escaped the inning unscathed. The Pirates put up a run an inning later via a Michael McKenry single, and another in the fourth, although it was unearned.
Jonathan Sanchez hit a two-out double off his counterpart, Romero, and advanced to third on a fielding error at first by Lind. He scored when Romero picked Marte off first base, but the Blue Jays could not tag the 24-year-old outfielder for the third out before Sanchez touched home plate.
The 28-year-old Romero was removed from the game with one out in the fifth. He allowed three runs -- two earned -- on six hits and three walks, throwing 44 of his 75 pitches for strikes.
Up next: A.J. Burnett returns to the Grapefruit League mound Wednesday as the Pirates conclude the home portion of their spring schedule with a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Twins that will be available on pirates.com via an exclusive webcast. The Bucs' Opening Day starter last faced big leaguers on March 9, then began stretching out his arm in Minor League games, most recently throwing 101 pitches against Yankees Triple-A players on Friday.
Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage talks about prospects Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon as well as staff ace A.J. Burnett.
by Tom Singer / MLB.com
PITTSBURGH -- Executives leave their offices and employees leave their cubicles. Their kids get a hall pass out of school. Nuns leave the convent -- without leaving the prayer beads behind.
They stream from all directions to come together at a mecca. It could be Great American Ball Park, Target Field or Yankee Stadium. In Pittsburgh, it will be PNC Park, the window to a new season of hope through which they will all peer.
The overture to a six-month production. Opening Day, the first day of the rest of your baseball life. To Clint Hurdle, who on Monday will experience it for the 24th big league time, the "Opening" does not signify the first of 162.
"It's the opening of a present," says Hurdle, the manager convinced that the Pirates' present will be a gift to the city. "I go back to my first Christmas as a child -- when I first realized you get a present, with the bow and the packaging and then you tear it open. That's like the baseball season. You get to open up a package and start to feel around for what's inside.
"For me, it's another humbling opportunity to be involved in a game that I love. The responsibility you have to the uniform and to the city you're representing ... it's all of that for me. It's special. It's never watered down or incidental. I always embrace that day. It only happens once."
Hurdle's genuine "only once" happened in 1978.
He was that generation's Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, an uber talent taken as a 17-year-old in the first round of the 1975 First-Year Player Draft who adorned the cover of Sports Illustrated's 1978 Spring Training issue. Following a prodigious Major League debut the previous September -- a two-run homer run in his second at-bat, .308 average for nine games -- he was destined for the Opening Day lineup of the defending American League West champion Kansas City Royals.
Spring Training, thus, was a six-week buzz.
"Every day was a rush, with the anticipation of making the team and starting the season on the Major League level," Hurdle recalls. "I'd had my appetite whetted in a significant way the previous season, with the September callup. I had a taste of the venues, the talent, the game. And springtime was the daily realization of getting close to a dream coming true."
One major problem, and it arose only a few days prior to the April 8 opener: John Mayberry, the All-Star first baseman, was dealt to Toronto and the Royals wanted Hurdle, the outfielder, to play first.
"I'd never played there before, so I got a crash course in first base," Hurdle says. "All that rush and comfort zone got rearranged, because now I was playing a position I'd never played before. But when you're 20, you think you're bulletproof and can do anything.
"So I worked at it, did as much practice as I could. I was still a little bit uncomfortable, but ..."
... It all went away when he stood on the top step of the visitors' dugout at Cleveland Stadium and surveyed the 52,000 fans ready to open their presents.
"That's a day that I bounce back to on every Opening Day ... making that trip, getting dressed in the locker room, seeing my name in the lineup, running out of that dugout," Hurdle says.
It is good to remember when you were on top of the world, because Hurdle soon became a face in the crowd. His playing career fell a few orbits shy of the anticipated heights, and he morphed into a journeyman who managed to play more than 78 games in only two of his 10 seasons.
But, oh, what a crowd. Oh, what a journey.
And that first, unexpected step still serves him well. Being thrown into a new position taught Hurdle the value of tolerance, patience and versatility -- lessons he makes good, daily use of in his role as manager. Hurdle did not become the forebear of Harper. Instead, he became a baseball everyman, which now serves him better.
His empathy with the players under his helm is evident at every turn. The Pirates approached the end of Spring Training facing numerous difficult roster decisions that might've been easier to make with a few extra days to make them. But even though they break camp three days before the final roster has to be submitted, Hurdle insisted that it be set before the team departed Florida.
General manager Neal Huntington explained:
"We set the rosters earlier than we'd like to, but we don't want to bring anyone to Pittsburgh, only to tell them they're not making the club. Clint has been through that, and he doesn't want to subject anyone else to it."
Hurdle has seen, felt and dealt with it all. He knows that managers who operate on a totalitarian level may succeed briefly, but rarely have a long run of success. Now, with two seasons in and his contract recently extended, he is comfortable enough, and committed to Pittsburgh enough, to give his players a more vocal role in setting the team's rudder.
He likely is the only one of the 30 Major League managers who will hold twice-monthly meetings with a focus group of players chosen by teammates.
"I do have a pretty good feeling, and understanding of, the club and the personnel involved," Hurdle said. "I've watched these men, and thought this would be another great opportunity for them to take ownership of everything they do in a significant way.
"Some look at a manager as someone who can fix everything, someone who is in charge with all the weapons and tools. One thing I shared with the players is, yes, I need help. It's just another opportunity for our guys to invest themselves more in what we're doing here."
For certain, Leo Durocher and Billy Martin are rolling over in their graves. They probably never considered Opening Day as something with a bow on it, either.
by Tom Singer / MLB.com
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Neal Huntington often says, as the general manager of any Major League Baseball team with limited resources might, that the Pirates' success greatly depends on hitting big on small risks.
The Bucs hope to have done just that with left-hander Jonathan Sanchez -- a veteran with a considerable history, but poor recent track record, who came to camp as a long shot and left with a spot in Pittsburgh's starting rotation.
Sanchez was called into manager Clint Hurdle's office early Tuesday morning and heard the words -- "Congratulations. You're on the team." -- he had worked for since early February.
"I came here and all I did is work hard and do my best," said the 30-year-old native of Puerto Rico. "You've gotta have faith."
The Pirates also made a commitment to Brandon Inge, another veteran who was invited to camp on a Minor League contract. Inge is likely to open the season on the disabled list as he continues to recover from a sore right shoulder blade, where he was hit by a pitch on March 14.
For the moment, "commitment" is the operative word, since neither was placed immediately on the 40-man roster -- moves that do not have to be made until the roster must be submitted prior to the season's first game, scheduled for Sunday at 8:05 p.m. ET, when Houston plays Texas.
Sanchez's Major League contract is for $1,375,000. Inge's deal calls for $1 million.
Sanchez started the spring living up to his reputation for having control issues, issuing eight walks in his first 5 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and seven runs. He walked only one and gave up only three hits in his past two starts, however, firing eight shutout innings. Sanchez went 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA for the World Series champion Giants in 2010 -- a year after he threw a no-hitter -- but went a combined 1-9 with a 8.07 ERA in 15 starts last season between Colorado and Kansas City.
He will open the season as the Pirates' No. 4 starter, behind A.J. Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez and James McDonald, putting him in line to make his first start on April 7 in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
Inge went 6-for-37 in 13 Grapefruit League games, appearing at both third and first base, although he was limited due to shoulder issues -- first from completing rehab for a September surgery, then for taking a pitch off his shoulder blade. He has been shut down for now to let his shoulder blade heal.
by Tom Singer / MLB.com
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- As someone trying to make a team on a non-roster invitation, Brandon Inge has had a worst-case scenario Spring Training.
For openers, his participation was delayed, as the Pirates knew it would be, as he wrapped up rehabilitating his throwing shoulder from September surgery. Then, midway through the Grapefruit League schedule, he took a pitch off his right shoulder blade. The pain was enough to require X-rays five days ago, which were negative.
The pain hasn't miraculously gone away. But with the Bucs facing a Tuesday morning decision on his status -- make him official by adding him to the roster, or release him -- Inge had no choice but to play Monday night. All night, all over the infield, first and third base.
"It's pretty painful," Inge said after a 1-for-5 night that, on close observation, improved with each at-bat. "But I'm trying to give them a good shot [at evaluating me]. I'm giving it my best. But it is hard to do. It's painful, but ..."
Despite a poor spring on the surface -- 6-for-37 (.162) with no RBIs, awkward moments adapting to first base -- Inge has a booster in Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, who sounded still willing to take a chance on the versatile veteran.
"In a perfect world," Hurdle said after the Bucs' 6-2 loss to the Rays, "you would've liked to have had him on the field more in different places, and get him more at-bats. A lot of the reasons we brought him here are still relevant. You're dealing with a guy who'd come off the bench, and the question is, do you still have time for him to get right once the season starts? I think you would. But you want to make sure, and we're still having those conversations."
Inge struck out against Tampa Bay southpaw Matt Moore his first two times up, lined out to right in at-bat No. 3, rolled a single up the middle on his next chance and ended his evening by pulling a hard liner, but right at the third baseman.
In the field, Inge couldn't handle shortstop Clint Barmes' rather routine throw on a two-out grounder by Shelley Duncan in the bottom of the fourth, drawing an error on the play.
by Tom Singer / MLB.com
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- For four innings Monday night, Kyle McPherson had a pretty good hold on a berth in the Pirates' starting rotation. Then the righty lost his grip, and the makeup of that rotation remained a mystery wrapped in suspense.
A strong start by McPherson unraveled into a five-inning, five-run, three-homer stint in the Bucs' 6-2 loss to the Rays.
If general manager Neal Huntington wanted to see something conclusive from McPherson -- good or bad -- before making a decision on Jonathan Sanchez, who has to be either released or added to the roster Tuesday morning, he did not get it.
"The game plan was to go out there, be aggressive, and it was working," McPherson said. "Then I failed to execute a couple of pitches, and things just snowballed."
McPherson started out giving a textbook example of the value of first-pitch strikes, something always being preached but not always practiced by pitchers lacking confidence in their stuff. He started off his first 10 batters with strikes and, not coincidentally, took a two-hitter into the fourth inning.
Until then, his only misstep was a hung breaking pitch on an 0-and-2 count in the second inning to Shelley Duncan, who deposited it on the lawn beyond the left-field fence for a solo homer.
When McPherson started falling behind, though, the Rays started figuring him out. Two-run homers in the fifth by Ben Zobrist and Evan Longoria erased his 2-1 lead. Complicit in that undoing was his own defense, which was not erratic, just misfortunate. Zobrist's home run ball actually bounced over the fence off right fielder Jose Tabata's glove, and Longoria's shot followed a hot smash by Matt Joyce which second baseman Neil Walker could only knock down, not field cleanly.
"At this level, you can't fall behind, or give them too much to hit. They make you pay," said McPherson, who conceded having been stunned by Zobrist's go-ahead homer -- twice.
"I was surprised the ball went that far. I thought I got in there pretty good on that pitch. Strong guy," McPherson said. "At first, I thought [Tabata] actually had it and came down with it. But then I saw it rolling on top of the net, and I was like, 'That's not coming back.'"
Monday, March 25, 2013
Posted on March 25, 2013 at 10:33 PM.
McPherson Allows Three Homers in Loss to Rays
| Pittsburgh Pirates at Tampa Bay Rays | ||||||||||||
| Mar 25, 2013 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Pittsburgh (12-16-1) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
| Tampa Bay (15-14) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 6 | 9 | 2 |
| W: Gomes, B (2-0, 1.74) L: McPherson, K (0-3, 8.46) | ||||||||||||
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The Rays cracked three home runs and defeated the Pirates, 6-2, on Monday night at Charlotte Sports Park.
Matt Moore made his fifth appearance of the spring. The 23-year-old left-hander has struggled with his command in spurts all spring, and Monday night was no exception.
Moore walked two and gave up a single as the Pirates loaded the bases in the first. He managed to escape the jam, but he threw 25 pitches, of which just 13 went for strikes.
"To find that overall feel for the heater from the get-go was a little tough tonight," said Moore, regarding his command.
That doesn't mean he is getting nervous about his control, however. "I'm pretty competitive," he said. "I feel like it's not so much like you can just turn it on. But when the time comes around and I'm battling in those moments where I have runners in scoring position, it's better when it's going like that."
Russell Martin did not let Moore escape the second. After Kyle McPherson and Jose Tabata strung together back-to-back singles with two outs, the Pirates catcher smoked a ground-rule double to left that drove home McPherson for a 1-0 Pirates lead.
Moore issued a leadoff walk to Gaby Sanchez to start the third. Sanchez moved to second on a wild pitch before Josh Harrison brought him home on a single to left.
Moore allowed two runs on six hits and five walks, while striking out three in 4 2/3 innings before getting lifted after 106 pitches.
McPherson, who is competing for a spot at the back end of the Pirates' rotation, surrendered a solo home run to Shelley Duncan in the second. For Duncan, the blast was his fifth of the spring.
Ben Zobrist put the Rays ahead with a two-run homer with two outs in the fifth off of McPherson. But he didn't leave the yard without a little help from Pirates right fielder Tabata, who may have knocked the ball over the fence as he tried to make a leaping grab.
Matt Joyce followed with a single before Evan Longoria hit his first homer of the spring, driving a 2-0 McPherson offering deep onto the berm past the left-field fence for a 5-2 Rays lead.
"It's good to get [the first home run] out of the way," said Longoria. "I had a couple of good at-bats today where I hit the ball on the barrel, and really that's just been my focus, is having good at-bats. The balls that are in the zone, barreling them up."
McPherson allowed five runs on seven hits -- including the three homers -- and one walk. He struck out two in his five innings of work.
In the sixth, Brandon Jennings drove in James Loney with a single up the middle.
Up Next for the Pirates: Pittsburgh travels to Dunedin on Tuesday to meet the Blue Jays in a 1:05 p.m. ET game, and it could be the formal unveiling of Jonathan Sanchez as the club's No. 4 starter. The veteran lefty is the tentatively-scheduled starter, even though the club faces a morning decision on whether to add him to the roster or grant him his release. Sanchez has been in camp on a Minor League contract, and has thrown eight scoreless innings in his last two starts.
by Tom Singer / MLB.com
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Fans who want the ultimate sneak preview of the 2013 Pirates will have that chance in a free public workout at PNC Park the day before the season opener.
The '13 Bucs are scheduled -- weather permitting -- to work out at the yard from 1 to 3 p.m. ET on Sunday. Opening Day is scheduled for Monday, April 1, in a 1:35 p.m. tilt against the Chicago Cubs.
Free parking will also be available for fans, in Lots Four (along Mazeroski Way) and Six (directly across from PNC Park on General Robinson Street). Fans then will be able to enter the ballpark through the Legacy Square Gates, in the left-field area, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Also open for fans' convenience will be the Federal Street Grill concession area (behind section 115).
Pirates infielder Gaby Sanchez talks about his fresh start in Pittsburgh and the adjustment process of moving from first to third base
Sunday, March 24, 2013
by John Dreker / Pirates Prospects
The sixth weekend of college baseball wrapped up today, with weather canceling many games across the country, including top ranked North Carolina. Just a reminder, the Pirates pick #9 and #14 in this year’s June amateur draft, so for the duration of the college season, leading up to draft day, we are following the players closely that are ranked in that range. This year’s draft will be held June 6-8.
San Diego’s Kris Bryant went 1-for-4 today, but the one hit was a big one. In the sixth inning, he hit a two-out bases loaded double that cleared the bases and broke a 5-5 tie. Bryant was also walked intentionally in the fifth inning.
North Carolina opened up their weekend yesterday with a doubleheader against Boston College, but that was all the two teams could get in as today’s game was canceled due to weather. Colin Moran went 3-for-8 yesterday, with two walks.
From Friday night, Chris Anderson, the RHP from Jacksonville, has been getting some mentions in the Pirates draft range. This weekend against USC Upstate, he threw 8.1 scoreless innings, allowing eight hits, one walk and he struck out ten batters. He is now 4-1, 0.96 in six starts, with 60 strikeouts in 47 innings and a .177 BAA.
Austin Kubitza from Rice has also got some first round mention, though he likely won’t be considered when the Pirates pick. The 2010 draft pick of Pittsburgh, is 3-1, 1.41 in six starts, with 56 strikeouts in 38.1 innings. His stats actually looked much better before this weekend when he faced Southern Miss. Kubitza gave up eight runs(three earned) in 5.1 innings, with seven hits and three walks allowed, striking out three.
DJ Peterson from New Mexico went 1-for-7 in a doubleheader today, drawing two walks. While he has spent some time at third base this year and in the past, he played first base in both games today and that will likely be his position in the pros.
Aaron Judge and Fresno State had their Sunday doubleheader postponed due to weather.
Austin Wilson from Stanford still hasn’t returned to action yet. It was said on Feb 26th that he could return in 2-4 weeks, but there has been no word on his progress recently. He has played just one game this season, leaving late in that game due to a muscle strain below his elbow.
Pepperdine’s Aaron Brown continued his full-time move to the mound today and again, the results were not that good, though he did pick up the win. In five innings, he allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks. He was able to strike out a season high seven batters. Brown was drafted by the Pirates in 2011 as an outfielder. He was followed on the mound by a 2012 draft pick of the Pirates, Jackson McClelland. The big right-hander began the year in the starting rotation and had good overall results, but has been moved to relief. McClelland pitched a scoreless inning, allowing a single and he recorded one strike out.
Brandon Thomas, the unsigned fourth round pick of the Pirates last year, went 3-for-15 this weekend against Florida State. He was really hitting the ball well prior to this weekend, moving his way up the draft charts as a senior. Despite the poor series, he is still batting .441 through 23 games, with a 1.100 OPS.
Mock Drafts
Two sources recently came out with their mock drafts. Minor League Ball, which is run by John Sickels, and a website called My MLB Draft, which continuously updates the draft class throughout the off-season and regular season. While I will stress that it is still early in the process(draft starts in 74 days), it is a good indication of the players in the area right now where the Pirates will pick.
Minor League Ball has the Pirates picking two Prep players, RHP Kohl Stewart and 1B Dominic Smith. You can read more about Smith on the link under his name. Stewart missed time due to a shoulder strain stemming from a football injury in December. He is still working his way to full strength, but early reports on him have been great. Keith Law has a recap here(subscription required) of his start on March 14th. He was clocked at 96 MPH, showing a plus slider.
My MLB Draft also has the Pirates selecting two Prep players, though not the same ones. They have Pirates taking LHP Trey Ball with the #9 pick and shortstop JP Crawford with the #14 pick. Information on each player can be found in the links under their names.
by Tim Williams / Pirates Prospects
The players being tracked for the 2013 draft are below, along with information about where the Pirates pick, and a look at how each of the players below would fit into the Pirates’ system.
The Picks
The Pirates pick twice in the first round this year. The first pick is number nine overall, which is their compensation pick for not signing Mark Appel last year. Under the old CBA, a compensation pick wouldn’t have been protected. Under the new CBA, a compensation pick is protected, meaning if the Pirates don’t sign the number nine pick this year, they’d get one more compensation pick in the 2014 draft.
The second pick the Pirates have is the 14th overall pick, which is their regular pick in the draft.
We only focus on potential first round candidates for the draft profiles, since it would be impossible to accurately follow players who could land with the Pirates in the later rounds. As far as those picks, the second round pick is number 50 overall. The third round pick is number 87, the 4th round pick is 119th overall, and add 30 picks for every round after that.
The 2013 Draft Prospects
Based on previous experiences, it’s best to start small with the draft profiles. The pre-season rankings can see some drastic changes. This time last year Carlos Correa, Albert Almora, and Max Fried were rated as mid-first round picks. Correa went first overall, and Almora and Fried went top seven. Deven Marrero came in to the 2012 season as a consensus top five pick, and ended up falling to 24th overall. Chris Beck was a top ten pitching prospect and fell to the second round. In short, nothing is set in stone and a lot can happen between now and the draft.
To get the initial list, I looked at several national rankings and picked out all of the players who ended up in the 9-14 range on multiple lists. That ended up being mostly hitters, which works out well for the Pirates, since they have a pitching heavy system. They had a few hitting prospects emerge in 2012, and a few breakout candidates in 2013, but adding more hitting wouldn’t hurt. Below are the links to the profiles for each draft prospect we’ll be tracking this year. As the year goes on we always add more players, mostly when they’re linked to the Pirates or when their stock improves to the point where they could be considered where the Pirates are picking. After the links to the profiles I’ll break down the names and how they could fit into the system.
Trey Ball, LHP/OF, Prep
Kris Bryant, 3B, San Diego
Jonathon Crawford, RHP, Florida
J.P. Crawford, SS, Prep
Reese McGuire, C, Prep
Oscar Mercado, SS, Prep
Colin Moran, 3B, North Carolina
Dominic Smith, 1B/OF, Prep
Austin Wilson, OF, Stanford
Replacing Pedro Alvarez
Looking at things realistically, Pedro Alvarez is a Scott Boras client. That means he’ll be leaving via free agency when he’s eligible, which will be following the 2016 season. A college hitter in this draft could arrive in the majors by 2014-2015, and probably won’t be fully adjusted until 2016. The Pirates don’t have to draft for need, as a lot can happen between now and then to get a third base replacement. That is something they’re going to have to start focusing on now.
This draft has two college third basemen who rank around where the Pirates are picking. Kris Bryant from San Diego seems a lot like Alvarez, almost an Alvarez-lite. He’s got plus to plus-plus power, and a plus arm, but might have to move to first base or right field and is prone to strikeouts. Colin Moran from North Carolina is a strong fielder at third base, and a great hitter, but doesn’t have the power that Bryant has. Moran is also a left-hander, which fits PNC Park better, unlike Bryant who is a right-hander.
The Pirates don’t have any depth at third base in their system. There are a few raw talents in the very low levels, but there’s no replacement for Alvarez on the horizon. There’s also no one who could move him over to first base in the short term. If Bryant or Moran are available when the Pirates pick, they’d both certainly look good from both a talent and a system need standpoint. If one of them were to arrive early, they could push Alvarez over to first base.
Shortstop is the Hardest Position to Fill
The Pirates had a breakout shortstop prospect in their system last year in Alen Hanson. The only problem is that there’s not a consensus opinion that Hanson can stick at short. More people are leaning that direction now than they were prior to his 2012 season, so that’s a positive sign. However, shortstop is the hardest position to fill, and sticking at shortstop through the upper levels is far from a guarantee.
The 2013 draft group has two prep shortstops who both have the defensive skills to stick at the position. J.P. Crawford looks like the top choice, with a plus arm and a strong glove. Oscar Mercado also has the defensive skills to stick at short, but an inconsistent bat. In the last two years we’ve seen shortstop prospects soar to the top of the draft, with Carlos Correa last year and Francisco Lindor in 2011. You could also add Manny Machado to that list in 2010. Because shortstop is such a hard position to fill, there’s value in adding a guy who projects to stick at the position.
The situation with Crawford and Mercado is tricky for the Pirates. They need to be good enough to be taken in the 9-14 range, but if they go too far they could soar past the Pirates and go in the top eight picks. If one of them is there when the Pirates pick, and if that player has lived up to the billing, then the Pirates would be smart to go with the shortstop prospect. Alen Hanson is a great prospect, but relying on one player to fill your long-term shortstop needs is not a good strategy. If you end up with two shortstops, that’s a luxury that all 30 teams would like to have.
Adding to the Catching Depth
In the last year the Pirates have added some lower level catching depth. They drafted Wyatt Mathisen in the second round of the 2012 draft, and international prospect Jin-De Jhang has gotten a lot of attention for his hitting abilities and his work behind the plate. Both guys profile as potential two-way catchers, although neither is a guarantee to stick at the position.
Much like shortstop, it’s hard to stick behind the plate as you move up to the higher levels. Just look at Neil Walker as a recent example for the Pirates. With Jhang it’s an issue of maintaining his weight. Mathisen hasn’t had much experience behind the plate, but also is a risk of outgrowing the position physically. So while the Pirates have some lower level depth, adding to that depth wouldn’t be a bad idea, and would only increase the chances of landing a two-way starting catcher down the line.
Reese McGuire looks like a great potential pick for the Pirates. He’s a power hitting left-handed catcher with a plus arm. He fits the system need for power hitters, adds to the lower level catching depth, and the left-handed power fits in at PNC Park. Even better, if he does have to move from behind the plate — or if Mathisen or Jhang stick — he could be an option at third base, which solves the Alvarez problem.
There’s a chance that McGuire could be there when the Pirates pick. Right now he’s ranked in the 13-14 range. He’s one of my early personal favorites from this draft, for the reasons listed above.
Draft For Talent, Not Need
So far the focus has been on system need, which is pretty much the only thing you can focus on this far out. We don’t know yet which players will perform to expectations, which players will fade, and which players currently ranked in the late first round will jump to the Pirates’ range. There are some players on the above list who play a position where the Pirates are well stocked — outfield and pitching.
The Pirates have some strong pitchers at the top of their system, and a lot of depth below that. They’ve also added some top outfield prospects with the emergence of Gregory Polanco and the drafting of Josh Bell. You don’t draft for need, you draft based on talent, which is why we’re following the pitchers and outfielders despite the system strengths.
On the outfield side, Austin Wilson is the big name. He was a top prospect out of high school in 2010, was drafted by St. Louis, but ended up going to Stanford. Wilson has the potential to be a power hitting right-fielder. The problem is that he’s a strong candidate to go before the Pirates get to pick. If he is there when the Pirates pick ninth, he’d provide a lot of value.
Dominic Smith is a prep outfielder with a lot of power potential and good hitting skills. Trey Ball is another prep outfielder who profiles as a two-way player. He’s got the potential to be a five-tool outfielder, but is also a left-handed pitcher who can throw 89-92 with a tall projectable frame and loose arm action.
On the pitching side, Jonathon Crawford is a college pitcher with a plus fastball and a plus slider. He does come with concerns about his delivery. Pirates fans are used to guys like Jameson Taillon and Gerrit Cole at the top of the draft, which might lower the appeal for Crawford. He’s a pitcher with two plus pitches, which is good value in the middle of the first round.
If one of these guys ends up being the best player available, the Pirates can’t afford to pass on them because of system need. Austin Wilson and Trey Ball would top my list from this group, although both could be at risk to go off the board before the Pirates even pick.
by David Heck, Special to CBS Local Sports
Starling Marte, Outfielder, Pittsburgh Pirates
2012 season: 47 G, 167 AB, .257 BA, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 12 SB, .737 OPS
When potential star players get called up, there’s always a temptation to compare them to other star players. Often times, though, such comparisons are stretches. The easy comp for Marte upon his arrival was Andrew McCutchen. Both are Pirates, both are outfielders, and both flash a rare mix of speed and power. That might seem like just another stretch – after all, McCutchen is a two-time All-Star who finished third in the N.L. MVP voting last year – but there are indeed a lot of similarities between the two players.
For one, Marte and McCutchen put up similar numbers in the minors. In 464 games, Marte hit .303 with 39 homers, 131 steals and an. 823 OPS. In 511 games, McCutchen hit .286 with 43 homers, 105 steals and a .785 OPS. So in fact, Marte put up better numbers across the board than his current teammate. In the Majors, McCutchen got off to a better start. During his rookie season, he batted .286 with 12 homers, 22 steals and an .836 OPS. That was in 108 games, however, compared to just 47 for Marte.
Whether or not he will actually live up to McCutchen’s level of play, Marte promises to be a terrific ballplayer who can make an impact in all phases of the game. His speed allows him to play excellent defense, especially in a corner outfield spot, and to cause disruption on the basepaths. He’s got good power for a player in his mold, launching 17 total homers between Triple-A and the Majors last season. And while the average wasn’t there last year, it will likely improve with time – he not only has hit well in the minors, but batted .520 (13-for-25) in Spring Training last year and is hitting .341 (15-for-44) in Spring Training this year.
One area that needs improvement is patience and pitch recognition, as Marte drew only eight walks in the big leagues last season. He was a little better at Triple-A, taking 28 free passes in 99 games, but not so much so as to alleviate concerns. McCutchen’s walk rate has always been above 10% in the Majors, while Marte’s has never been above 6.5% at any level.
Still, all goes well this year, Marte could hit around .280 with 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases. Long term, those numbers could improve to the point that he does indeed resemble another Andrew McCutchen. He might never get on base as much as his counterpart, but his athleticism will allow him to influence other areas of the game. Pittsburgh is becoming a more competitive team, developing players and signing impact free agents. With a little time, Marte and the Pirates could make waves throughout baseball.
by Tom Singer / MLB.com
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Last year's Spring Training was rather odd for the Pirates, in that every other opposing starter they faced was left-handed. The concentration of southpaws was the ideal launching pad for switch-hitter Neil Walker, who is naturally right-handed, but normally gets far more swings left-handed, making it his more powerful side.
The collection of opposing starters has been strikingly different this spring, so much so that Walker was scratched from a couple of recent Grapefruit League games so he could get extra right-handed swings in Minor League games.
"I really need those right-handed reps," said Walker, who had only 11 at-bats all spring against lefties until he faced the Orioles' Brian Matusz in Sunday's 12-10 loss.
Walker went 1-for-2 against Matusz with an infield single, leaving him 2-for-13 against left-handers this spring with a .313 on-base percentage.
Because his dominant right hand is on the bottom when he bats left-handed, Walker has always shown far more power from that side. None of his 14 homers last season came hitting right-handed, and he homered once in 160 at-bats from that side the year before.
But he is a more patient hitter right-handed with a better eye for the strike zone and more contact. Those skills rely on reps to maintain, and Walker has occasionally detoured to the Minor League camp to find them.
KHarmo88
55
2,118 Forum Posts
537 Blog Entries
641 News/Blog Comments
1 Reader Score Votes
48 Friends
63 Chalkboard Messages
142 Screenshots
37 Videos
248,439 Arena Visits
More
KHarmo88's Friends
Recent Visitors
The last 10 visitor(s) to this Arena were:
KHarmo88's Arena has had 248,439 visits
- c.morecake2304
- Deegeezy
- dfsJunkie
- hearndt
- InspireOthers14
- jct32
- joshrmlb
- Kodii Rockets
- MoneyMan17
- NateX1612
KHarmo88's Arena has had 248,439 visits
Working...