Gold Team comes out victorious in Pittsburgh Pirates Annual Black and Gold Game

The Pittsburgh Pirates held their annual Black and Gold game this afternoon where some of Pittsburgh's top prospects got to show their stuff during game action.

Today the Pittsburgh Pirates got a look at what some of their top prospects could do in the annual Black and Gold Inter-squad scrimmage. The game featured two teams lead by prospects and hopefuls to make the 2016 Pirates opening day roster. It also gave manager Clint Hurdle a chance to see what the young players can do and what they can provide to the club both this season and deep into the future.

The Gold team, lead by starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, came out victorious beating the black team by a final score of 4-3 in five innings of play. Also present on the gold team were prospects Alan Hansen, Harold Ramirez, and Max Moroff along with guys vying for a spot on the opening day roster including Pedro Florimon, Jake Goebbert, and Jason Rodgers.

Glasnow started the game facing seven batters and throwing 2.0 innings giving up two runs while striking out two and walking zero batters. A pitch Glasnow was working on today was his changeup. Glasnow has two solid pitches in his fastball and curveball, but the changeup is something that he will give a lot of attention to this season.

Glasnow was followed by John Holdzkum who pitched a scoreless third inning for the gold team. Holdzkum had an injury plagued 2015 season and is looking to bounce back here in 2016. His first outing in a live game seemed to be a step in the right direction. He was followed by non-roster invitee Trevor Williams who threw a scoreless fourth inning.

On the offensive side, the star for the gold team was off-season acquisition Danny Ortiz. Ortiz went 2 for 3 on the day with 3 RBI. He was the catalyst to a big three run fifth inning which ultimately lead to the Gold teams victory. 

The Black team was led by starting pitcher Jameson Taillon. It also featured some of the teams top prospects including Josh Bell, Adam Fazier,Gift Ngoepe, and Dan Gamache while including some players looking to make the team in Cole Figueroa and Matt Joyce.

Taillon started the game and threw 2.0 innings giving up one run on three hits while striking out three. For Taillon, it was an exciting time because it was his first time on the mound in two seasons. He has been plagued by injuries in recent years and it has banished him to back-field activities at the Pirates spring training home in Bradenton, Florida. Today he pitched in front of the largest crowd he has seen in the last two seasons.

Taillon was followed by non-roster invitee Steven Brault who threw a 1-2-3 third inning for the black team. Brault is in his first big league camp, and he has shown some success in the minors last season. He was named the EAS pitcher of the week for the Altoona Curve back on the week of August 3rd. He has also been named a Baseball America Low Class A all-star back in 2014.

Offensively, the Black team jumped out to a fast start as they took a 2-1 lead in inning number one. They scored their first run on a RBI double by Matt Joyce that scored Adam Frazier. They added another run in inning number three but couldn't hold off as the gold team scored three runs in the fifth inning to seal the victory.

It was a good day for the prospects and potential players fighting for a spot on the team to show what they can do. However, the real action starts tomorrow when the Pirates travel to Joker Merchant Stadium to take on the Detroit Tigers in their spring training opener. On the mound for the Pirates will be left-hander, and former Tiger, Kyle Lobstein. Opposing him will be left-handed pitcher Matt Boyd for the Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

Nick Kingham Could Help Set Pirates Rotation of the Future

While not in the top tier of pitchers in the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system, pitcher Nick Kingham could be a key element to the Pirates success and will b a key piece to the future starting rotation.

When you think of Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospects you think of names like Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow. However, a look deeper into the Pirates minor league system reveals a name that has sort of fallen off the Pirates future prospect list. That name is Nick Kingham who is currently pitching at Triple A Indianapolis, and is getting a shot in big league camp in 2016.

Kingham was drafted in the fourth round with the 117th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates back in 2010. He has had an up and down minor league career with the Pirates showing at times that he is capable of dominating a league and at other times it looks like he couldn't pitch to a little league team and have success.

Last season was a rough one for Kingham as he went 1-2 with a 4.31 ERA in 6 starts for the Indianapolis Indians. He struck out 32 and walked seven in 31.0 innings pitched. Kingham did not pitch very deep into games last season only averaging 5.1 innings pitched per start. Kingham has to be able to last longer in games if he wants to be a successful part of the Pirates rotation in the future.

Putting last years numbers aside, we do see that Kingham has had some success during his time in the Pirates minor league system. He was named a Florida State League mid-season all star back in 2013 when he had a 9-6 record with a 2.89 ERA. In that season he showed that he can dominate batters striking out 144 men in 143.1 innings of work while only walking 44 batters. So, we have seen some success from Kingham that we can look to to measure his future with Pittsburgh.

A positive note for Kingham is that he was striking out batters at a good clip last year with 32 in 31 innings pitched. He had a strikeout to walk ratio of 4.57 which is about where you want it to be. Kingham has been pretty consistent at keeping his strikeouts high and his walks low throughout his career. For his career, his strikeout to walk ratio sits at 2.99. If Kingham can continue striking out batters at a rate of about one per inning, it will go a long way to helping out his major league stock.

One thing that hurt Kingham last year was the number of pitches he had to throw per inning which averaged to 16.3. This helped contribute to the 5.1 innings per start stat. For Kingham, he has to work on the number of pitches he throws per inning. The number has been above 10 throughout his career and makes him work harder to get through innings. His pitches per plate appearance are good at 3.76 but he is having to throw a lot of pitches during the inning as a whole.

One contributing factor to this is the number of hits he gives up. Last season he gave up 34 hits in 31 innings of work and his hits per nine inning sat at a staggering 9.77. For a guy who pounds the strike zone as much as Kingham does, he has to be sure to use the corners more often and stay out of the hitting zone.

In the past he has shown that he can handle batters as in that 2013 all-star season, he had a .279 BABIP and was allowing only 7.85 hits per nine innings. Kingham just had a down season last year with Indianapolis and will look to build on it and become a better pitcher in 2016. The major things that Kingham needs to work on are the number of pitches he throws and limiting the number of hits he gives up during the season.

As far as this season, I do not see Kingham making it to the big league club this season unless it be via a September call-up. He can use this season in Triple A Indianapolis to grow and become more mature as a pitcher. This extra season of work will have him ready for a possible call-up to the big leagues to start the 2017 season.

As the rotation stands at Triple A Indianapolis right now, we will be getting a good look into the future of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. The top three will be Tyler Glasnow, Jameson Taillon, and Nick Kingham. If all three of these pitchers pitch to their full potential it could lead to the Pirates having one of the best rotations in major league baseball. If all goes well, we could be looking at a mid-season 2017 rotation of Gerrit Cole, Tyler Glasnow, Jameson Taillon, Nick Kingham and Jeff Locke. With this star studded rotation, The Pirates could become a top contender for a world series title in years to come.

Outfielder Willy Garcia Provides Depth at the Outfield Position

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Willy Garcia had a prodictive year in the minors last season, and looks to provide depth in the outfield for Pittsburgh if he is needed in 2016.

The starting outfield for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016 is pretty much set with Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco. However, if one or two of those players gets hurt, who do the Pirates have that is ready to come up and provide depth in the outfield position? For the Pirates, that guy would be minor leaguer Willy Garcia who spent most of last year playing for Triple A Indianapolis.

Garcia has worked his way through the Pirates minor league system since signing out of the Dominican Republic back in 2009. For Garcia, it has been a tough road through the system as he has been stuck behind the likes of Marte and Polanco while climbing the latter. In 2016, he is expected to play regularly in Triple A Indianapolis where he played 53 games in 2015.

In those 53 games, Garcia hit .314 with 5 home runs and 29 RBI. Garcia is a guy who has shown some pop in his bat throughout his professional career, and he can hit the ball for a high average. Over the course of his career his average has ranged anywhere from .240-.275. This is consistent for a professional hitter and proves he has been able to produce at the minor league level.

Garcia is able to find holes in the defense when he makes contact with the ball as his BABIP sat at .336 last season. If Garcia makes contact with the ball it has a good chance of finding a hole, and Garcia can use his speed to manufacture base hits that are otherwise not their. Garcia is a big singles hitter as only 39 of his 132 hits went for extra bases last season. However, Garcia's speed allows him to be a threat to steal a base at any time.

Last season, Garcia stole 4 bases in just six attempts for a 66% stolen base percentage. While he didnt steal a high number of bases, he did not get caught when he did. This will prove useful for the Pirates if he makes it to the major league level in 2016. If he can come off of the bench and provide a speedy pair of legs, he will help out the Pirates tremendously in 2016.

A problem we face with Garcia is his strike out numbers. He struck out 123 times last season while walking only 23 times for a strikeout to walk ratio of 5.43. Garcia has to lower the number of strike outs we see in 2016 and increase his number of walks. The key to a good bench player is being able to come off the bench, work the count, and get on base. For Garcia, he strikes out entirely too much and it has hurt him in his minor league career. Garcia has struck out 100 or more times in four out of his six major league seasons.

Garcia saw 3.72 pitches per at bats last season which is decent but not great. For a fast top of the lineup guy like Garcia, working the count is key. If Garcia can work on staying patient and waiting for his pitch to come across the strike zone, he could be a much better option for the Pirates to chose from. With Austin Meadows rising quickly through the minor league ranks, time is running out for Garcia to prove that he is good enough to make the major leagues.

As far as major league time goes this season, I dont see Garcia seeing much time on this Pirates team. However, I do think that Garcia will mature in Triple A and become a more patient hitter at the plate. And who knows, if some injuries happen to the major league club, we could be seeing Garcia in the majors in 2016. For the Pirates, there are a lot of good options for outfield depth in 2016 whether it be a guy like Garcia or a long-term option like Austin Meadows. One thing is for sure, the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield will be set for now and into the future.

Lobstein/Locke set to start Spring Training Openers

With Grapefruit League action starting on Tuesday, manager Clint Hurdle has named his starting pitchers and pitching rotation for the first two spring training games.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been hard at work in Bradenton, Florida for the last week getting ready for the first week of spring training action. All of the drills, batting practices, bullpen sessions, and workouts have led up to this first week of spring training. The Pirates go into it with a lot of promise and a lot of things to look for.

Manager Clint Hurdle has named the first two starting pitchers, and it looks to be the battle for the fifth spot of the rotation. Newly acquired Kyle Lobstein will start the first game at Joker Merchant Stadium on Tuesday when the Pirates face off against the Detroit Tigers. Lobstein, a former Tiger, will be looking to show what he has got on the mound.

Last season, Lobstein finished with a record of 3-8 with a 5.94 ERA while striking out 32 and walking 23. Lobstein has only thrown in 20 major league games and is looking to make the Pirates roster as either a long relief man, or the fifth starter spot. The young left hander was acquired over the off-season in a trade with the Detroit Tigers for cash.

One thing I will be looking for from Lobstein is his control. Last season his strikeout to walk ratio sat at 1.39. Lobstein is walking just about as many batters as he is striking out and that's not good for a starting pitcher. Lobstein will have to show that he can control the strike zone and put pitches where he wants to if he wants to make this Pirates team. 

Working with pitching coach Ray Searage will surely help with his control issues. Last season, he only threw 61% of his pitches for strikes. As a starting pitcher, you want to throw some pitches out of the strike zone, but you also have to hit the strike zone at a good rate to get batters out. Lobstein is a pitcher who needs to pitch to contact to be successful. His ground ball to fly ball ratio was at 1.49 last year. If he can keep the ball on the ground and use the Pirates infield defense, he could be a success in Pittsburgh.

Following Lobstein, the Pirates will send out Wilfredo Boscan, Neftali Feliz, Curtis Patch, Rob Scahill, and Trey Haley. The Pirates will be showcasing a lot of their non-roster invitees in the first game. Neftali Feliz and Rob Scahill are both pretty set to make the Pirates 2016 bullpen, but Patch, Boscan, and Haley will be interesting to watch.

The thing I am most looking for in this game is how the defense plays out in the field and the performance of Neftali Feliz. Feliz could be a big part of the 2016 Pittsburgh bullpen. With his track record of success in the past, he could provide a reliable bridge to Mark Melancon and Tony Watson. If he can regain the control and consistency he had two years ago, the Pirates will have a star studded 2016 bullpen.

In the second game of the Grapefruit League season, The Pirates come home to McKechnie Field for their spring training home opener again against the Tigers. Starting this game will be left-handed pitcher Jeff Locke, who struggled mightily in 2015. Locke will be looking to prove that he can succeed at the major league level, and that he can be a consistent starter for the 2016 Pirates.

Last season, Locke had a 9-11 record with a 4.69 ERA walking 60 and striking out 129. His ERA was the worst of his career since becoming a full time starter during the 2013 season. When he initially came up he had success out of the gate going 10-7 and being named an all-star. However, after a second half decline that year, he has never found that success he had in the early part of the season.

Locke's main problem is his inconsistency on the mound. When he is on, it will be a good day for the Pirates. He is capable of throwing eight innings of one run ball and he controls the strike zone well. However, when he struggles, he struggles mightily. He has been known to also throw 4 innings giving up 7 or 8 runs. Locke really has to turn it up if he wants to be a main stay in the Pirates rotation.

Following Locke will be Juan Nicasio, Jared Hughes, Arquimedes Caminero, Eric O'Flaherty, and Jorge Rondon. In game two, we see many of the guys likely to make the team in 2016. Caminero, Hughes, and Nicasio will all be in the bullpen in 2016 as middle relief. O'Flaherty is fighting for a spot in the bullpen after a down year and Rondon will be looking to get some experience in big league camp.

I am really looking forward to seeing what Eric O'Flaherty will do on the mound in this game. With a track record of success with the Atlanta Braves, O'Flaherty could be a huge pick up for the Pirates. At one time he was one of the best set-up men in the game. He comes with a lot of intrigue and seeing him on Wednesday will be exciting to see what the future holds for Pittsburgh.

With Grapefruit League action ready to start, that means we are only one month away from Pittsburgh Pirates opening day. Their will be one more tune up for the Pirates before Tuesday when they compete in the annual Black and Gold game tomorrow where it will be Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow on the mound. With the season quickly approaching baseball is finally in the air and that means warm summer nights full of the smell of fresh cut grass, hot dogs cooking over the grill, and the sound of the crack of the bat. Baseball season is quickly upon us and for Pirates fans their will be one resounding cheer "Let's Go Bucs."

Neftali Feliz Looking to Bounce Back With Pittsburgh Pirates

Neftali Feliz signed with the Pirates over the off-season after spending time with both the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers last season. After a rough go, he is looking to rebound for the Pirates in 2016.

The Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen has been a strong suit for the team over the last several seasons, and has been a driving force in the teams playoff runs in the last three seasons. The bullpen will be important now more than ever as the Pirates have some question marks in their 2016 starting rotation such as Jeff Locke and Ryan Vogelsong.

There are two great pitchers already in place to finish out ball games in Tony Watson and Mark Melancon, but the Pirates are looking for someone who can bridge the gap between the starters and those two. Enter Neftali Feliz, former closer for the Texas Rangers and set-up man for the Detroit Tigers. The Pirates signed Feliz in the off-season to add bullpen depth to the team.

The 2010 AL Rookie of the year is coming off of a rough 2015 season where he posted a 6.38 ERA in 48 games pitched between the Rangers and Tigers. In those 48 innings he struck out 39 batters and walked 18. This was one of the worst years of Feliz's seven year career as his ERA was a career high and he bounced around from team to team.

Prior to the 2015 season, Feliz has played some good baseball throughout his career. The former closer of the Texas Rangers converted 97 of his 115 save opportunities presented that year. Throughout his career, we see decent strike out numbers but nothing that lights up the scoreboard. His 39 strikeouts over 48 innings last season were about average for his career. Feliz has relied on his defense throughout his career to make outs when the ball is put in play.

His strikeout to walk ratio sat at 2.17 last season showing some promise in the control department. Throughout his career, Feliz has been up and down when it comes to control. In his 2010 AL Rookie of the Year campaign he only walked 18 batters in 69.1 innings pitched. However, the very next season, he walked 30 batters in 62.1 innings pitched. If he wants to succeed in Pittsburgh, Feliz will have to get his numbers back down to where they were in that 2010 campaign. As a late inning guy, you do not want to give opposing hitters a free base.

Another thing that plagued Feliz last year was his average against which was .298, the highest of his career. A pitch-to-contact pitcher throughout his career, Feliz has kept that opponent batting average below .200 for all but last year and the 2013 season. With a Pirates defense behind him that played very well last year and looks even better this year, that number should decrease and be back to where it was a couple of seasons ago.

Another stat that will be helped by the Pirates defense is Feliz's BABIP. Last season he had a BABIP of .351 allowing a lot of the balls that were put in play to find a gap in the field. The Pirates should be able to help with that stat with the fielding upgrades at first base and the stability at the third base position in 2016. If Feliz can keep the ball on the ground, he should have no problem finding success with the Pirates.

A positive for Feliz is how efficient he is during the at bats. Last season, he averaged throwing 3.95 pitches per at bat. This is a good stat to have because as a late inning guy, your job is to get the opponent out as quickly as you can, and get back to the bench so your bats can add on key insurance runs. If Feliz can limit the number of runs he gives up during the season and the number of pitches he throws, he could have a very successful season with the Pirates.

I feel that the Feliz signing was a steal for the Pirates. He was signed on to a one year 3.9 million dollar contract back on January 6th. He will fit in nicely to the middle of the Pirates rotation offering a guy who has had success in the past and knows how to win baseball games. He was named an All-star in the 2010 season and was a top 10 closer that year with 40 saves. He could also provide more innings if necessary because he does have starting experience back in 2012 where he was 3-1 with a 1.87 ERA in seven starts.

Jared Hughes and Feliz will most likely be used as the sixth and seventh inning guys in the Pirates bullpen. If all things work out and Feliz pitches to his potential, the Pirates have the possibility of the game being over if they have a lead into the sixth inning. This 2016 Pirates bullpen is shaping up to be one of the best bullpens in recent memory for the Pirates. With reliable arms who have major league experience, the 2016 bullpen will look to lead the charge into the 2016 season and hopefully to a playoff run.

Pedro Florimon Brings Speed and Defense to Pittsburgh Pirates Roster

Pedro Florimon saw limited action for the Pirates last season. However, in 2016 he is looking to crack the 25-man roster and be a force to help the Pirates out throughout the season.

If Opening Day were to start tomorrow, the Pittsburgh Pirates roster would pretty much be set except for one position, the fifth and final spot on the Pirates bench. The Pirates are looking for someone to be able to come into games and provide defensive support when a player is tired, injured, or just not performing.

One of the players the Pirates are looking at for 2016 is Pedro Florimon. A man who can play multiple positions across the field and can play them well. Defense is the name of the game for Florimon and in 2016 the Pirates are looking for someone who can be a defensive guru off the bench.

Florimon signed on with the Pirates two off-seasons ago after leaving Minnesota in free agency. During his time with the Twins, he showed defensive skills that were above average for the major leagues. This is what has kept Florimon in the big leagues throughout his career. He is not as strong offensively, but he uses his defense and speed to help the team he is on. Florimon could be a key player on the Pirates bench and looks to prove himself in 2016

Florimon saw some time for the Pirates in 2015 and he provided one of the highlights of the year when he hit a walk off triple in a game on August 18th against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Other than that game however, the season did not go very well for Florimon. He finished with an .087 average 0 home runs and 1 RBI in 24 games played. He spent most of the 2015 season in Triple A Indianapolis where he hit .245 with 2 home runs and 18 RBI.

Florimon's strikeout to walk ratio sat at 2.62 last season in Triple A. This is about average for a professional baseball player. Florimon is a patient hitter as he saw 4.07 pitches per at bat last season. Florimon's patience is something that would be good for the Pirates coming off the bench in 2016. Florimon would provide just that. Not very well known for his offense but he could get by substituting for Mercer and Harrison every now and then in the Pirates lineup.

A positive note on the offensive side for Florimon is his BABIP which sat at .326 last year in the minor leagues. Florimon doesn't make contact with the ball that often, but when he does it usually finds a hole. For Florimon, a key for him will be working on his offensive numbers. If he can increase his batting average and find a way to get on base, he can use his legs to create run scoring opportunities for the Pirates.

The thing Florimon is most noted for is his defensive ability. Florimon is a player who can play multiple positions and play them well. Last season in Triple A he played second base, short stop, third base, left field, and right field. Most of those games were played at the short stop position where he obtained a .973 fielding percentage committing 5 errors in 360 innings. Florimon's glove has been a strong suit for him throughout his career.

Florimon has been a good defender throughout his professional career. In 5 years Florimon has averaged to save 14 runs a year. For a player with limited playing time that is pretty good. If Florimon can come on and play solid defense for the Pirates he could make an impact on the 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates team.

The final factor in Florimon's game is his speed on the base paths. Last season in Triple A he stole 12 bases in 15 attempts. Speed will be a key to the 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates offense as they lost some key power bats in Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker. Having a guy like Florimon on the bench late in the game could prove beneficial if you have a guy like John Jaso hitting a late game single. Florimon could come into pinch run and use his legs to get into scoring position.

This small ball offense will be something that Pirates fans will have to get used to and guys like Florimon will be key in making that offense happen. He can be used as a defensive replacement late in games or as a pinch runner when needed. If Florimon makes this Pirates roster, he could be an unsung hero in 2016.

His numbers may not look very flashy on the surface, but Florimon is a guy who could be key to the Pirates 2016 season. I feel that Florimon will make the Opening Day roster and will help out in a big way in 2016. To make a complete team your starting players have to be good, but so do the guys backing them up. Each member of the bench has to bring a different skill set whether it be power, clutch hitting, defense or speed. For Florimon speed and defense are the key to his game and it will help the Pirates tremendously in 2016.

John Jaso Out To Prove Himself At First Base for the Pittsburgh Pirates

With spring training underway, and the regular season quickly approaching, Pittsburgh Pirates first-baseman John Jaso is ready to prove that he can be an everyday player at First Base.

The Pittsburgh Pirates conducted their first full-squad workout down in Bradenton, Florida yesterday afternoon giving the coaches a chance to see the talent that they have for the upcoming 2016 season. Amongst all the hustle and bustle of the workouts, there are many players trying to prove that they can hold down their positions.

One of those players trying to prove themselves is John Jaso. Signed on to a two year deal over the off-season, Jaso will be looked upon to be the platoon partner for Michael Morse at first base throughout the season. An overall accomplished major league hitter, Jaso's bat will be a welcome addition to the Pirates lineup. However, On the defensive side their will be an adjustment period as Jaso only has 5 major league innings played at the first base position.

Jaso was brought up to the major leagues as a catcher and played that position throughout most of his career. He was known as a very good defensive catcher sporting a .994 fielding percentage at the position while committing 17 errors in 1971 chances. Then during the 2015 season he was moved to the outfield when he wasn't the designated hitter for the Tampa Bay Rays. That position move worked well for him as he committed 0 errors in 47 innings of work.

Jaso has played first base in the past, but only has 5 innings of work at the position in his 7 year major league career. In his minor league career he only had 15 innings of work at the position. Watching Jaso's progression at first base as the season goes on will be a big thing to watch as a Pirates fan. If Jaso can play the position at least at the level of an average major league first baseman, The Pirates will be better off in 2016 then they were in 2015.

Last season, Jaso's Defensive Wins Above Replacement was at -0.4 in the outfield. At first base, again in very limited action, Jaso had a 0.2 DWAR in his 5 innings in the major leagues. Compare that to Pedro Alvarez's -2.3 DWAR from a year ago and if Jaso can stay consistent at the position, he will be an upgrade over Alvarez.

Jaso will also be helped out by the fact that initially, he wont be playing the position everyday. He will get days off here and there and can learn by watching. When Morse is out on the field at first base, expect to see Jaso used off the bench in a pinch hitting role. Jaso doesn't have the power that you traditionally see from the first base position, but his ability to hit the ball into gaps and drive runs in will be crucial to this Pirates lineup.

Last season, Jaso hit .286 with 5 home runs and 22 RBI. The left hander is a far cry from the power that Alvarez showed, but his contact numbers look a lot better than Alvarez's. Of his 53 hits last season, 22 were of the extra base hit variety. If he can use the spacious outfield in PNC Park to his advantage he could be a big run producer for the Pirates during the 2016 season.

Jaso's power numbers could also increase playing in PNC. The short porch in right field will allow for him to take the ball out of the ball park more often than he did in Tampa Bay. The Roberto Clemente wall stands 320 feet from home plate compared to Tropicana Field's 370 feet distance. This extra 50 feet will make a big difference come the summer months when the ball has a lot of carry on it.

Jaso's strikeout to walk ratio last season sat at 1.39 as he had 39 strikeouts to just 28 walks. Jaso needs to improve on this over the course of a full season. He has never had the opportunity to play a full season at a position and 2016 will be his shot. If he can limit the number of strikeouts he gets and increase the number of walks he could be a nice option for the Pirates to have.

Overall, I expect Jaso to have a lot of success in a Pirates uniform. A proven hitter throughout his career, Jaso will be able to provide the run production that the Pirates so desperately need at first base. With the losses of Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez over the off-season, Jaso and Morse will be called upon to replace these production numbers. With Jaso's career production on offense, he should be able to fit nicely in the middle of the Pirates order. With the season approaching quickly only time will tell how Jaso performs in a Pirates uniform.

Glasnow and Taillon look to make mark on Pittsburgh Pirates now and in the Future

Two of Pittsburgh's top pitching prospects Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow are almost ready for the major league level and look to contribute both this season and beyond.

With the arrival of Gerrit Cole three years ago came the start of a new era in Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. A top prospect in the minor league system, Cole has blossomed into the ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff leading the team in wins and ERA last season. In 2016, we could see the next generation of young talent the Pirates have to offer. 

Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon are together in the Triple A Indianapolis rotation and are hungry for a spot on the major league team. While neither of these pitchers will make the team out of spring training, there is still ample opportunity for the duo to make their major league debuts in 2016. If guys like Ryan Vogelsong and Jeff Locke struggle, the young talent could be called into action to help the team win some big games.

Glasnow brings a fire ball mentality and the ability to limit the amount of runs he allows. Last season, through three levels of the Pirates organization, Glasnow posted a 7-5 record with a 2.39 ERA. His most impressive numbers come in his limited time with Triple A Indianapolis where he posted a 2-1 record with a 2.20 ERA. Glasnow continues to succeed as he progresses through each level of the minor leagues, and he does not show any signs of slowing down in 2016.

A big part of Glasnow's game is his ability to strike out opposing hitters. Last season in total he struck out 136 batters in 109.1 innings of work. His strikeout per nine inning was an astounding 11.20 last season. I doubt he will keep striking out batters at that rate at the big league level, but if he can prove to be a fire baller it will help the Pirates tremendously in the future. As of right now the Pirates only have two strikeout pitchers in the rotation, If they could add Glasnow half way through the season, it would bulster their rotation for the better and make them a much tougher competitor in 2016.

Another plus to Glasnow's game is his low walk percentage. In those 109.1 innings of work last year, Glasnow only walked 43 batters. His walk per nine inning ratio was a 3.54 last season. This is pretty good for a professional pitcher and if his control stays where it has been in the past, it will be another big asset for this Pirates team.

A downside to Glasnow is that he does not field his position particularly well. Last season he committed three errors in 15 chances. While being a good fielding pitcher isnt an essential but it is a nice thing to have on the mound. Glasnow is a very promising pitcher who could do a lot of good things for this Pirates team.

On the other hand, Jameson Taillon's development has been slowed by injury over the last two seasons. He was drafted number two overall in the 2010 draft. Taillon and Cole were on the same track in their development and were all set to come up to the big leagues at the same time. However, Taillon needed Tommy John Surgery after the 2013 season and last year  he suffered through a number of injuries that made him miss the entire season.

His last year pitching in pro baseball was 2013 when he posted a 5-10 record with a 3.73 ERA for Triple A Indianapolis and Double A Altoona. Taillon is proned to giving up a lot of hits as that year he gave up 352 hits in 382 innings of work. The young right hander has posted an ERA up around 3.50 for most of his career. If he can get the number of hits he allows down this ERA will drop with it as well.

While Taillon does not have the strikeout ability that Glasnow has, he still managed to strikeout 143 batters in 147 innings of work. Taillon is more of a finesse pitcher and tries to get you to put the ball in play. Taillon had a hits per nine inning of 8.24 last season. For a starting pitcher that is a high number of hits to be allowing. If Taillon can work at using the corners more and throwing pitches by people, he would be much better off.

Out of the two, Taillon is clearly the better defender. He posted 0 errors in 15 chances during the 2013 season and made all the plays he had to from the mound. If you have a pitcher who also has the ability to play defense, it helps out tremendously in the field and allows for the fielders to focus on their position alone.

In 2016, we could see both of these pitchers make their major league debuts. Both players bring a certain skill set that will benefit the Pirates both now and in the long-term future. The pitching rotation for the Pirates could be better than anyone in years to come if Taillon and Glasnow can pitch to their potential. With all of these young prospects ready to come up, it is an exciting time to be a Pirates fan. We can just sit back and watch how these young players develop and grow into the young players that will help the Pirates for many years to come.

Bell Looking to Make A Name For Himself in Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training

First baseman Josh Bell is on the active roster during Spring Training for the first time in his Pirates career. With the departure of Pedro Alvarez, he is looking to prove himself in 2016.

As the Pittsburgh Pirates reported to Spring Training on Friday, there is one position that is still lacking an answer as to who will be the everyday starter. With the departure of Pedro Alvarez, there is a gap in the Pirates starting lineup at first base.

In total there are six candidates for the job who each want a shot at the starting gig. Among the suitors are John Jaso, Michael Morse, Jake Goebbert, Sean Rodriguez, Jason Rodgers, and Josh Bell. The last name on this list is an intriguing option for the Pirates and one they look to have not just now, but in the long-term future as well.

Bell has been in the Pirates organization for four years after being taken in the second round of the 2011 first year player draft. Originally drafted as an outfielder, Bell has shown he can hit the ball and produce throughout his time in the minor leagues. His lowest career average was in his first year as a pro when he hit .274 for Single A West Virginia. Every year following that his average has gone up. Last season he hit .317 with 7 home runs and 78 RBI. Those 78 RBI were a career high for Bell showing he can produce at the top levels of the minor leagues.

Bell has also shown some signs of power over his career. While he only hit 7 home runs last season in 131 games, that is the lowest number of his career to date. He hit 13 home runs in his second year as a pro and followed that up with a 9 home run season in his third year. As a switch hitter, Bell will benefit in the home run department when facing right handed pitching because of the short wall in right field. If Bell can be a guy who can hit 20-30 home runs a year, the Pirates could be set at the first base position for a number of years.

Another plus to Bell's offensive game is that he does not strike out a lot and can put the ball in play. Last season, in 489 at bats he struck out only 65 times, that means he strikes out once every 7 at bats. Compare that to Alvarez, who struck out once every 3.33 at bats, and you have an option who might not have as much power as Alvarez had, but who can put the ball in play and strike out a lot less.

When Bell does put the ball in play, it usually finds its way into open grass. He had a BABIP last season of .346, meaning he was able to find some holes and put the ball where he wants to. For Bell, the key to his development will be getting the timely hit in the big situations. The Pirates want to insert Bell into the middle of their order and make him an everyday run producer for the team. 

On the defensive side, Bell was originally drafted as an outfielder out of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. However, with the success of Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco, the outfield had become crowded and Bell would not have had a shot to make the big leagues with the Pirates.

The move to first base, which he just made last season, has been a little rough around the edges for Bell. He committed 16 errors in 1033 innings at the position which is good for a .986 fielding percentage. Bell still has time to grow at the position, and if he wants a crack at it while in the big leagues, defense is something he will surely have to work on.

On the positive side his range at first base is much improved from that of his outfield days. His range factor as a first baseman sits at 9.98. He has the ability to make a lot of plays at the first base position, but it will take some time and some practice in order for him to master the position to be able to take it over once he makes the big leagues.

Bell is currently ranked number three on the Pirates top 30 prospects list for the 2015 season, and he is an exciting player to watch for in the coming years. The two time futures game selection wants to prove that he can succeed at the major league level as well as he did in the minors. Personally, I believe that Bell will be a success at the big league level. I do not believe we will see him come up right out of spring training, but if John Jaso or Michael Morse start to struggle, dont be surprised if you see Bell in the majors by mid-July. This is an exciting time for Pirates fans as the season is just around the corner. There is a lot of hard work ahead for the Pirates, but also a lot of fun summer nights to look forward to at the best ball park in america.

O'Flaherty Signing could shake up Pittsburgh Pirates Bullpen

Signed to a minor league contract this off-season, veteran left handed pitcher Eric O'Flaherty could add some competition for this years Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen.

Over the last few seasons, one of the strong points for the successful Pittsburgh Pirates teams have been their bullpens. Pitching coach Ray Searage has been able to successfully piece together the right pitchers to come in relief of the starting staff. Whether it was success from guys like Joe Biemel, Joel Hanrahan, Jason Grilli, etc... we have seen the bullpen be the key factor to winning ballgames.

Over the off-season, the Pirates signed another intriguing name to add to their mix of players fighting for bullpen positions. Eric O'Flaherty has been in the league for 11 years and has a long track record of success coming into this season. Last season was the worst in his major league career as he had an 8.10 ERA in 41 games combined between the Oakland Athletics and the New York Mets. He also struck out 21 batters in 47 innings of work.

However, do not let those numbers fool you, O'Flaherty has had much success over his major league career. In those 11 seasons, O'Flaherty has a combined 3.24 ERA and going back before last season his ERA was never above 3.04 from 2014-2009. He is most noted for his time with the Atlanta Braves where his ERA hovered in the 2.50-2.00 range. O'Flaherty's best season was back in 2011 when he had an 0.98 ERA in 71 games pitched.

O'Flaherty does a nice job of keeping the ball in the ball park which is key for any relief pitcher. He has a career 0.51 HR/9. He also does a nice job of striking batters out. He's not a guy who is going to light up the scoreboard, but he does just enough to get by and get big league batters out. He has a 6.85 career strikeouts per nine inning ratio.

Finally, O'Flaherty knows how to keep runners off base. Last season he walked 18 batters in 30 innings of work, the worst ratio in his career. Prior to that he walked only 4 batters in the 2014 season. He had some control issues last season, but working with pitching coach Ray Searage should prove helpful for the 31 year old.

One problem with O'Flaherty is the number of pitches per inning he throws. Over the course of his career, he has averaged 16.1 pitches per inning. as a one inning guy out of the bullpen, you generally want to throw about 7 to 10 pitches an inning. O'Flaherty works up near the 20 pitch range and that is when the arm generally tires out. Working on throwing more strikes will help with this as well. Over the course of his career he has thrown 62.7 percent of his pitches for strikes. If he can get that number up to about 70-75 percent that will greatly limit the number of pitches he has to throw per inning.

Overall, I like the O'Flaherty signing. It gives the Pirates another left-handed option to work from in the bullpen. The only two left handed pitchers on the active roster vying for bullpen spots are Tony Watson and Kyle Lobstein. Adding O'Flaherty to that mix adds both some more competition in spring training and a chance for some veteran presence on this Pittsburgh Pirates team.

I feel that O'Flaherty has a good shot at making the Pirates bullpen this season. It will be a battle between him and Lobstein for that last spot in the rotation. If O'Flaherty can show that he can perform at the level he did prior to last season he could be a great addition to this Pittsburgh Pirates team.

Pitchers and catchers reported on Friday and the team is currently hard at work in Bradenton, Florida. With a little more than one week remaining before the first spring training game, O'Flaherty and the rest of the Pirates pitchers and catchers have plenty of time to get ready before the season begins. Baseball is just around the corner, and for the Pirates, it promises to be one full of excitement.

Pittsburgh Pirates Reportedly Ink Joyce to Minor League Deal

Just days after the Pirates pitchers and catchers reported to spring training, the Pirates made a move that could bring them the outfield depth they have been looking for.

According to FoxSports.com, the Pirates have reportedly come to a minor league deal with veteran outfielder Matt Joyce that includes an invitation to Spring Training. Last year Joyce had a rough season with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hitting .174 with 5 home runs and 21 RBI. While the numbers from last season do not look promising, taking a look at his career stats helps ease the pain a little bit.

Last season was the worst in what has been an overall consistent career. Joyce is a career .242 hitter with a .335 on base percentage and a .426 slugging percentage. He has shown some consistent power over his career as well, hitting 10 or more home runs in five of his eight major league seasons. He was named an all-star during the 2011 season while playing with the Tampa Bay Rays where he hit .277 with 19 home runs and 75 RBI.

Looking a little deeper into his offensive stats, Joyce was a victim of bad luck as he only had a .215 BABIP. When he was able to put the ball in play, it was not consistently finding holes and a lot of plays were made. Another problem with Joyce is he is not very good at working the count. During the course of his career, he averages seeing 4.06 pitches per at bat and last season that number was only at 3.78. Joyce likes to swing early in the count and it has effected him over the course of his career.

Defensively, he has shown some promise showing that he is able to play both corner outfield positions rather effectively. Last season, in 65 games played in the outfield he committed 1 error and held a .990 fielding percentage. He also had an impressive 95 put outs last season in 98 total chances.

Joyce has been a pretty consistent defender over his career keeping his fielding percentage above .970, and holding an average of about 2.2 WAR for his career. As stated before, last year was the worst season of his career and he posted a -1.0 WAR. He could be a very dependable fourth outfielder option for the Pirates to rely on barring any tiredness or injury to either Polanco, Marte, or McCutchen.

I feel that this is a smart pickup by the Pirates. Joyce is signed to a minor league contract, so if he does not work out it will not cost the Pirates too much money. However, if he turns out to be the big find of the off season, the Pirates have a dependable guy to back up their already star studded outfield. Looking at the current active roster, there is no true outfielder to play the fourth outfielder role. Both Sean Rodriguez and Jason Rodgers could fill in there if needed, but neither is the true outfielder that you want on the field.

Joyce is a native of Tampa Bay, Florida and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 12th round of the 2005 draft. He was then traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Edwin Jackson prior to the 2009 season. Prior to last season he was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for pitcher Kevin Jepsen.

I am a huge fan of this signing. Joyce has proven over the course of his career that he can be a productive member of any major league baseball team. This was most evident in the 2011 season when he was named an all-star for his efforts. He does not have to play at that type of level to be a successful get for the Pirates. He just needs to be a consistent hitter who can be relied upon on an as needed basis.

Pittsburgh Pirates Season Preview: Outfield

With Spring Training Quickly approaching, I will be taking a look at each position group on the field and how they will contribute to this Pirates team throughout the 2016 season

 

One of the strongest areas on this Pittsburgh Pirates team lies in its outfield. Filled with an all-star in Andrew McCutchen, a potential all-star in Starling Marte, and a promising young player in Gregory Polanco, there are seemingly very little holes in the Pirates outfield. Perhaps one of the fastest outfields in the major leagues, not many balls are able to find the gaps between these three players.



Their cohesion is almost perfect and they know when to back off and let the other one take the ball. With all three outfielders in the top 30 in the league according to fanatsypros.com,. each player brings their own set of useful skills to the table for the Pirates to utilize when needed.



We will look at all three of the aforementioned players and take a look back on their 2015 season, see what they have to bring to the table, and look ahead to my prediction in 2016. This outfield as a whole looks to have another great year in 2016. Consistency is the key factor for this group and they have been nothing but that over the last couple of years.

Andrew McCutchen #22 Center Fielder

McCutchen has been the model of consistency for the Pirates over his star studded career. Ever since coming up to replace Nate McLouth in 2009, the slugger has never hit under .259 and has consistently produced. After a slow start to 2016, McCutchen finished the year with a .292 average 23 home runs and 96 RBI. He was also named an all-star for the fourth season in a row, and has been the face of the franchise ever since his call-up.


When it comes to the offensive side of the ball, McCutchen can flat out hit. He has been one of the top hitters in the league over the past four seasons. Last year, to go along with his .292 average, he had a .401 on base percentage and a .488 slugging percentage. Both numbers show how McCutchen can get on base and produce runs when needed.


Opposing pitchers do not like to come at McCutchen and he often gets hit by many pitches. Last season he was hit 12 times. McCutchen still has yet to eclipse the 100 RBI mark, and without the protection of Pedro Alvarez behind him, I do not see him doing it in 2016 either.


Defensively McCutchen is just as good as he is with the bat. Last season, he committed only two errors all season and was good for a .994 fielding percentage. He also took home numerous awards last season including a NL Silver Slugger and the Roberto Clemente award. He was also named player of the month three times last season. McCutchen is the perfect leader for this team and he looks to do that again in 2016.

2016 Prediction

McCutchen hasn't showed any signs of slowing down his production, and I wouldn't look for it to stop in 2016 either. I have McCutchen hitting .305 with 25 home runs and 94 RBI. The Pirates are going to have to play some small ball in 2016 and McCutchen's ability to drive in runs will be key to racking up wins for the Pirates. As he has in the past couple of seasons, I expect McCutchen to once again lead this team and bring out the team's true potential.

Starling Marte #6 Left Fielder

Marte had a breakout year in 2015 both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He just missed out on an all-star bid and boasted a .287 average with 19 home runs and 81 RBI. A move from the number two spot in the order down to the number five spot really helped Marte and brought out some power that we had not seen in seasons prior.


Last season Marte set career records in both home runs and RBI as well as slugging percentage. Marte added the power element to his game, and it has helped the Pirates immensely offensively. Power from the corner outfield position is something they have been lacking for the last couple of seasons and Marte certainly supplied the punch the Pirates were looking for last season.


The biggest improvement for Marte in 2015 was his defensive ability. He ended the year with a .991 fielding percentage and made numerous spectacular plays to help keep the Pirates in some tight ball games. For his efforts, the 28 year old took home his first Rawlings Gold Glove and his first Wilson Defensive Player of the Year for the National League. Defense is key in the spacious left field at PNC Park, and Marte has shown his ability to man the position at a high level.


Another plus for Marte, is the fact that he brought down his strikeout numbers from previous seasons. He struck out 123 times last season as compared to 131 the season before. As the season went on Marte showed more patience at the plate which lead to some of the offensive successes he had last year. If Marte is able to keep this trend up in 2016, he could be a dangerous player for any opponent to have to face.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, I think Marte will stay consistent with his 2015 numbers and become a regular producer in the Pirates lineup. I have him hitting .287 with 21 home runs and 83 RBI. Now with a current spot in the middle of the Pirates order, I think Marte will be able to relax and become the hitter that the Pirates thought he could be throughout his minor league career. If all the cards fall in place both Marte and McCutchen will be looked upon to be regular contributors in the Pirates lineup both now and in the future.

Gregory Polanco #25 Right Fielder

2015 was an up and down year for Polanco filled with both really high and really low points. He finished the season batting .256 with 9 home runs and 52 RBI. At times it looked like Polanco could do no wrong on a baseball field, and at other points it looked like it was his first time out there. With this inconsistency came great scrutiny from the Pirates fans.


Besides July and August, Polanco really struggled at the plate. In the months of May, June, and September his batting average was below .230 and he was striking out an awful lot. In those months he had 18,16, and 23 strikeouts respectively. However, in the months of July and August his bat was hotter than ever as he had averages up above .270 and rarely struck out. The big thing for Polanco at the plate is becoming a more consistent hitter. If he can straighten up and produce on a regular basis in 2016 this outfield could be a force to be reckoned with.


Defense was also a problem spot for Polanco in 2015. he had a .972 fielding percentage committing eight errors on the season. His routes to fly balls are questionable at best and sometimes he doesn't look like he wants to be out there. Other times he shows off a great glove and is able to make any play. Again, just like with the bat, Polanco is going to have to prove that he can be more consistent with the glove if he wants to succeed in 2016.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, Polanco is my pick to have a break out season. It will be his third season in the majors and under the guidance of McCutchen and Marte, I feel this will be the season he puts it all together. I have him hitting .275 with 13 home runs and 66 RBI. As the leadoff man for the Pirates, he will also have ample opportunity to get on base and use his speed to make things happen. On a team such as the Pirates who have to play small ball, it pays to have a speedy leadoff hitter like Polanco on your team.

Outfield Grade: A+

I have said it once and I will say it again, I feel that the Pittsburgh Pirates have the best outfield trio in baseball. All three of these guys can produce on a regular basis and can carry a team if need be. Whether it is coming up with that clutch hit or making a big catch to save the game, all three of these men are very capable of getting the job done. If you are a starting pitcher, your mind can be put at ease when these three are behind you because they will go out and make plays to help your team win the game. With the 2016 season approaching quickly, the Pirates show that they have a good consistent outfield to help guide the way and keep this team on a winning track.

 

Pittsburgh Pirates Season Preview: Infield

With Spring Training Quickly approaching, I will be taking a look at each position group on the field and how they will contribute to this Pirates team throughout the 2016 season

Coming off of an off-season in which they lost both Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez, the Pittsburgh Pirates infield gets a little bit of a makeover for the 2016 season. They add some speed and defense to the right side of the infield, but lose power in the lineup. Walker and Alvarez contributed a combined 41 home runs and 141 RBI. This lost contribution will have an effect on the Pirates lineup.

However, with loss comes some positives as well. Gone are Alvarez's 23 errors at first base and in steps a very capable defender in John Jaso. And, the left side of the infield is as sured up as it was last year with both Kang and Mercer coming back to the team. The infield depth is intriguing as well. With the return of Sean Rodriguez and the addition of Jason Rodgers the bench depth will definitely be a plus in 2016.

We will take a look at all four infield starters and the three infielders I feel will make the bench and take a look back on their 2015 season, look at what they have to offer, and we will look ahead to my predictions for them in the 2016 season. While offense might be a little lacking this season, the defense will be the key factor driving the infield.

 John Jaso #28 First Baseman

Jaso signed on to a two year deal with Pittsburgh over the off-season and is coming as the lefty option to balance out Michael Morse at the first base position. The former outfielder/catcher is changing over to the position after a very productive 2015 at the plate. Last season, Jaso hit .286 with 5 home runs and 22 RBI. He played primarily as an outfielder and designated hitter during the regular season.

Jaso might not present the power numbers that you typically see for a first baseman, but he does do a nice job of getting on base. He had a .380 on base percentage last season including 22 extra base hits. Over his career he has started to make more contact with the ball and hits have been falling in for the seven year veteran. He had a BABIP of .336 last season, and that is what helped lead to the high on base percentage.

Another positive of Jaso as a hitter is he does not hit into many double plays. Last season, he only grounded into five double plays all year in 18 double play opportunities. He is a guy who can hit the ball into the gaps and score runners when needed to.

The big question everyone is asking about Jaso, similar to Alvarez, is can he play defense. Jaso has only played five major league innings at first base and has primarily been an outfielder for the majority of his career. It is yet to be seen if Jaso can make a smooth transition to first base, but if there is one positive sign to come out of this, its the fact that he made zero defensive errors last season in 49 innings of play. There is promise, but the big question is whether or not he will be able to make the transition to first cleanly.

2016 Prediction

I feel that Jaso will be an underdog signing for the Pirates this off-season. It is a move that many Pirates fans overlooked when it happened, but I feel that it could be another Francisco Cirvelli scenario for Jaso. I have Jaso hitting at a .294 clip with 9 home runs and 74 RBI. I feel that Jaso will help this team greatly and will be a nice addition to the Pirates lineup. He may not posses the power that Alvarez had, but he will be just as if not more productive for the Pirates than Alvarez ever was.

Josh Harrison #5 Second Baseman

After trading Neil Walker to the New York Mets for starting pitcher Jon Niese, the Pirates will more than likely have Harrison man the second base position this season. Harrison has played many positions for the Pirates during his time as a major leaguer, but looks to come back to his natural home at second base this season. Last year, Harrison hit .287 with 4 home runs and 28 RBI. The versatile player played a number of positions including third, short stop, second base, right field, and left field last season. He is an exciting player to watch and brings a lot to hope for in 2016.

Harrison is  pretty good bat to have in the lineup, but he is a very streaky hitter. He goes on various hot and cold streaks throughout the season and when he is on he is on fire, but when he is off it is as if he is sitting on ice. He hit over .300 in the months of June, July, and September. However, in April and August he was hitting under .240. Harrison wants to work on his consistency if he wants to be a consistent major league hitter.

His versatility throughout the last several seasons has taken a toll on his defense as well. He committed 14 errors last season which was second on the team behind Pedro Alvarez. However, as stated before, he also played almost every position on the field last season. The move to second base should help Harrison defensively. In 17 games played there last season Harrison boasted a .986 fielding percentage committing only one error. Second base is the position he played most throughout his minor league career, and the move back will help him immensely.

The intangibles with Harrison are another thing that needs to be noted. He brings excitement to the field from getting out of a rundown to making an exhilarating diving catch. Harrison has been a treat for Pirates fans to watch over the last several seasons. He is in year two of a four year contract and looks to be successful for the Pirates again in 2016.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, Harrison's numbers are probably going to dip a little bit from a year ago. I have him hitting .266 with 5 home runs and 34 RBI. While Harrison is a very good bench player, I do not feel that it will transition well to an everyday starting role. Harrison is one of my favorite players on this Pirates team, but I just do not see it transitioning well for him to a full time starter. I hope I am proven wrong but we will see what 2016 brings.

Jordy Mercer #10 Shortstop

The left side of the infield stays pretty much intact for the Pirates in 2016. Returning to play the shortstop position is Jordy Mercer, who has great defensive ability but his offense is sometimes lacking. Last season, he hit .244 with 3 home runs and 34 RBI. Mercer is your prototypical shortstop, very good defense and just a serviceable major league bat.

Starting on the offensive side, there is not much to see for Mercer. He had just a .293 on base percentage and struck out 73 times. He did have a walk off hit last season and many other clutch hits, but as a whole he was very lack luster offensively. Mercer is typically a slow starter, and that was definitely the case in 2015. In April and May he had a batting average under .200, but towards the end of the season he got that average back up into the 250's thanks to a .304 month of June.

On the defensive side, Mercer is a great asset to the Pirates team. He had a .986 fielding percentage last season, only committing 7 errors on the year. He has made so many great plays throughout the past couple years and has saved a lot of runs for the Pirates. If Mercer's defense can stay where it has been over the last couple of years, he will be able to stay in the Pirates lineup once again this year. However, if his defense falters, we could be seeing Alan Hanson before the year is out.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, look for Mercer to improve slightly on his offense while remaining consistent defensively. I have him hitting .265 with 7 home runs and 44 RBI. I feel he will get off to a little better start than he did last season and will be able to keep his bat hot well into the summer. I like Mercer at shortstop for the Pirates giving them a good defensive option to make plays when necessary. With pitchers who pitch to contact, it will be crucial for Mercer to be as good of a defender this season as he has been in the past.

Jung-Ho Kang #27 Third Baseman

Kang was the surprise of the season coming to the Pirates out of Korea last off-season. He was an offensive powerhouse over in Korea and not many people were sure how he was going to make the transition to the major leagues. He silenced all of the doubters by hitting .287 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI. The only returning infielder with double digit home runs,Kang will be looked at as the offensive leader of this group.

While the 15 home runs he hit last season was nothing compared to the 40 he hit the year before in Korea, Kang was still a welcome addition to the Pirates lineup. He took over full time for Josh Harrison at third base half way through the season, and flourished in his new opportunity. Along with his average he boasted a .355 on base percentage and a .459 slugging percentage. Both of these numbers helped the Pirates in 2015 as Kang was able to get on base and also drive in runs when needed.

Defense was the biggest question about Kang when he came over from Korea. He played shortstop over there and many questioned his range and ability to play the position. When he came over with the Pirates he started as a backup middle infielder and did not fair too well at the shortstop position. He committed nine errors there last season while sporting a .961 fielding percentage. His move over to third base really solidified his defense and put him in a better position on the field. He only committed five errors in over 500 innings of work at third base. It was a little bumpy while learning the position, but as the season went on things were smoother sailing for Kang.

The big question coming into 2016 will be whether or not he is healthy enough to come back by opening day. He got injured in the September 17th match-up against the Chicago Cubs when outfielder Chris Coghlan took him out on a slide trying to break up a double play. Kang had to undergo knee surgery over the off-season and is currently rehabbing in spring training with the Bucs.

2016 Prediction

I feel that Kang will be just as productive this season as he was last season. Once he comes back from injury, he will be a main stay in the clean-up spot of the Pirates lineup. I have Kang hitting at a .301 average with 22 home runs and 96 RBI. I can see Kang being a very productive bat in the Pirates lineup for the next several seasons. The only big question with Kang is will his knee be ok and how will he respond to the injury in 2016.

Michael Morse #31 Bench Player

 

Morse is coming off one of the worst years of his career in 2015 hitting .231 with 5 home runs and only 19 RBI. Acquired at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Jose Tabata, Morse had some success with the Pirates hitting .275 with 1 home run and 7 RBI. The former world series champion saw a dip in all of his numbers from 2014 and looks to bring those numbers back up in the 2016 season.

A big plus from Morse is the power he is capable of bringing to the lineup. Prior to last season, he had not hit less than 15 home runs in a season since the 2010 season. Not only that, but he has been a very productive hitter over his career averaging 50 RBI a season. Hopefully for Morse's sake, 2015 was just an off year and he can become the productive hitter he was two seasons ago when he played for San Fransisco.

Defensively, there are major question marks for Morse as well. He committed 18 errors at first base and had a not so good fielding percentage of .771. This will have to improve if he wants any chance of staying in the Pirates lineup on a day-to-day basis. With Jaso and the rising prospect Josh Bell on his way, Morse is in some hot water in 2016 and is expected to perform if he wants to keep his job.

2016 Prediction

 

In 2016, I do not expect to see a lot of Morse on this Pirates team. I can see his numbers staying at the below average production rate that he produced last season, and I do not see any sign of his defense improving. I have him hitting. .225 with 8 home runs and 33 RBI. I feel that by season's end we will have seen the last of Morse in a Pirates uniform. While he had some good times early in his career, I do not see him being able to sustain that for a long period of time in the major leagues.

Sean Rodriguez #3 Bench Player Infielder/Outfielder

 

Rodriguez, although a bench player last season, played a pretty significant part for the 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates. He would often be summoned upon to replace Alvarez defensively late in games and he was often used off the bench as a pinch hitter. He was 2015's version of Josh Harrison when he broke into the league. Rodriguez played a lot of positions for the Pirates and his defense ended up working really well for the Pirates. He finished last season hitting .246 with 4 home runs and 17 RBI. These numbers were really good considering the number of games he played where he was primarily used for defense.

On the offensive side of the ball, no number really jumps out and hits you in the face. He only had a .281 on base percentage in only 224 at bats last season. However, if you look deeper into the stats we see that he carries a .325 BABIP. If Rodriguez can get the ball in play there is a high chance that it is going to find a hole. For the Pirates in 2016, that is what they are going to have to do. hit the ball into holes and advance runners. This is what Rodriguez is perfect for. He can come in off the bench to move runners over and get the occasional big hit.

Defensively, Rodriguez is the versatile type player that you like to have on the bench. Last season, he played first base, second base, shortstop, third base, right field, and left field.  Overall he had a pretty good fielding percentage, only struggling at short stop where he played three games and committed 3 errors. Rodriguez's defensive abilities are what makes him a valuable piece to the Pirates bench.

Rodriguez is one of those firery players who brings energy to a ball club. You saw him in last years WildCard game where he destroyed a cooler in reaction to a Pirate hit batter on the field. He has a passion for the game and wears his emotion on his sleeve. These intangibles are key to any ball clubs success, because without them your team is simply lacking.

2016 Prediction

I feel Rodriguez's role on the 2015 Pirates will transfer again to the 2016 season. He will be used as a more versatile option who can play anywhere and give anybody a day off. I have Rodriguez hitting .255 with 4 home runs and 24 RBI. Rodriguez will mostly be used as a defensive option in 2016, but do not be surprised if we see him off the bench every now and then to play some good old fashion small ball.

Jason Rodgers #15 Bench Player Infielder/Outfielder

In what could be this off-season's most underrated move, the Pirates sent minor league outfielder Keon Broxton to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Infielder Jason Rodgers. Rodgers had some intriguing major league numbers last year in a small sample size. He hit .296 with 4 home runs and 16 RBI in just 152 at bats. However, a look at his minor league numbers are even more intriguing as he hit .344 with 8 home runs and 24 RBI for Triple A Colorado Springs last season.

Rodgers brings a lot of upside with the bat. He has never hit below .270 in his professional career and has had double digit home runs in three out of his six years as a pro player. Getting on base has been key for him too as last year in Triple A he had a .449 on base percentage. He is a guy who has some pop in his bat and is still able to get on base. This is what you want off the bench especially in key situations.

Primarily a first baseman throughout his career, Rodgers defense is pretty solid as well. Last season at the major league level he had a .995 fielding percentage at first making only one error in 220 chances. With the Pirates lack of depth at the first base position, this could be Rodger's way into the everyday lineup. He also has the ability to play third base, and the outfield positions. If Rodgers can show he can do something with the bat, manager Clint Hurdle will be forced to find a way to get him into the everyday lineup.

Rodgers should be used primarily as a pinch hitter and an occasional appearance at first base or in the outfield when  someone gets tired. If things go his way, Rodgers could find his way into the everyday lineup if he can keep his offensive numbers up and play good defense at the major league level like he has throughout his career.

2016 Prediction

I believe that this acquisition will be the biggest one this off-season for the Pirates. I see Rodger's numbers offensively propelling him into the starting lineup and keeping him there for the majority of the season. I have him hitting .297 with 15 home runs and 63 RBI. I was a big fan of this signing and I see it paying dive-dens for the Pirates in 2016. whether that be at first base, third base, or outfield help I think we will be seeing more than our fair share of Rodgers in 2016.

Infield Grade: B-

 

While there are some intriguing names in this list of infielders for the Pirates, as a whole I see them as being the weakest link to this Pirates team. Defensively, they are average for the major league level, but there is a lot to be desired when it comes to the offensive side of the ball. Only time will tell if some of the key infielders can live up to their potential, but as for right now, I do not see this unit as a whole being that good. With the season a little more than a month away, the infielders need to hit the cages to be ready for Opening Day.

Pittsburgh Pirates Season Preview: Catcher

With Spring Training Quickly approaching, I will be taking a look at each position group on the field and how they will contribute to this Pirates team throughout the 2016 season

In 2015, the catching tandem of Francisco Cirvelli and Chris Stewart made up one of the best in baseball. Both were strong behind the plate defensively and each brought their own style of offense to the plate. No matter who was catching that day, you knew as a Pirates fan that you would have a quality option behind the plate.

At the beginning of the 2015 season, the catching rotation looked a lot like the typical starter-backup relationship where Cirvelli caught most games and Stewart would be called upon when Cirvelli got tired. However, as we moved towards the end of the season, Stewart started getting more reps and eventually developed into almost a personal catcher for Gerrit Cole.

Offensively, both players had breakout years as well. Both improved their averages from a year ago and contributed in big situations for the Pirates. Also in 2016, one of the Pirates young top prospects Elias Diaz, is getting ready for his move to the big leagues. He comes up with a lot of hype from the minor leagues and looks to transition that into his major league career.

We will take a look at all three of these players and look back at their 2015 seasons, see what they have to bring to the table, and look ahead to my predictions for the 2016 season. All of these players come with a major upside, and as far as catching goes, the Pirates have a good core ready for the long haul of a major league season.

 Francisco Cirvelli #29

2015 was Cirvelli's first year as a starter in major league baseball. He more than exceeded all expectations and was a very productive member of the Pirates lineup. He hit .295 with 7 home runs and 43 RBI. He played in the most games he has ever played in his career with 130 and set career records in both home runs and RBI.

With the departure of Russell Martin after the 2014 season, fans did not know what to expect out of the catching position. The signing of Cirvelli was not very highly received as many fans saw that he had no starting experience. However, the signing was one of the top signings that the Pirates had in the off-season and was a big factor into the teams success.There were many times that Cirvelli came through with clutch hits for the Pirates including the game on July 12th when the Pirates came back to defeat the Cardinals in dramatic fashion.

Cirvelli was extremely strong defensively last season as well. He led the league in pitch framing getting the Pirates multiple balls out of the strike zone called strikes. His zBal%, how many balls were called strikes, was 13.7 last season. This was better than some of the top catchers in the league including  Buster Posey, Yadier Molina, and Russel Martin.

Overall Cirvelli has been a big part of the success the Pirates achieved last season. He has one year remaining in his contract and is open to an extension. With a lot of good catching prospects waiting in the wings, that might be hard for the Pirates to do. But, for now the Pirates are blessed with the talents of Cirvelli for at least the 2016 season.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, look for Cirvelli to have another successful year behind the dish. As long as he can remain healthy, which has been a problem over his career, he will be able to produce for the Pirates once again. I have Cirvelli hitting at a .275 clip with 13 home runs and 54 RBI. I can see a small drop in average coming from Cirvelli, but that will be combated with a little more power in 2016. He brings a fire to this team and a passion for the game that lights up the field. In 2016, Cirvelli will again be the unsung leader for this Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team.

Chris Stewart #19

The Pirates not only had one good catcher last season, but they had two. Chris Stewart proved to be one of the most reliable backups in baseball by coming up in big spots when called upon throughout the year. His offensive numbers were some of the best in his career for the number of games he played. In 58 games, Stewart hit .289 with 0 home runs and 15 RBI. He still has not found that illustrious first Pirate home run, but he has come through with many clutch hits during his time with the Pirates.

The key to Stewart's game is his defense. He is coming off of a year in which he had a .976 fielding percentage only making two errors on the season. He was also efficient at throwing out base runners as he caught 32% of runners trying to steal on him (13 out of 41). While Stewart does not have the fire that Cirvelli has behind the plate, he is still a force to be reckoned with.

Offensively, Stewart had one of the best seasons in his major league career. His 15 RBI were second most in his career and he always came through with the timely hit when needed. He carried with him a .320 on base percentage showing his ability to get on base when coming off the bench. He was not always in the game, but when he was he was able to make his presence felt both behind the plate and in the batters box.

Stewart's role increased as the year went on in 2015. Towards the end of the season, he turned into pitcher Gerrit Cole's personal catcher. With Stewart behind the plate Cole compiled a record of 14-5. The cool calm collected nature of Stewart perfectly balanced the hot fiery nature of Gerrit Cole. Stewart was always able to go to the mound and calm down Cole when he lost his temper, and along with the guidance of Ray Searage, was able to harness the talent Cole had into a successful season. With the two year extension that Stewart received over the off-season,  We could be seeing many more years of this match between catcher and pitcher.

2016 Prediction

 

In 2016, look for Stewart's role to increase as he will more than likely be catching the majority of Gerrit Cole's starts. The match is just too good to break up for Pirates fans. I have Stewart hitting .267 with 2 home runs and 33 RBI. Yes I believe Stewart will finally hit the first home run in his Pirates career. I have his average dropping slightly due to increased playing time, but his production in the RBI department will definitely increase. As far as backups go, the Pirates have one of the best in the league and he will be in a Pirates uniform for many years to come.

Elias Diaz #32

 

With only limited major league playing time last season, catcher Elias Diaz will likely start the year in Triple A Indianapolis in 2016. However, the Pirates number 14 prospect put together a 2015 campaign in Indianapolis that included a .271 average 4 home runs and 48 RBI. While his power is not there, he is a productive bat that can drive in runs. For the Pirates, that is something they look forward to in the future from Diaz.

Diaz's defensive ability is his real claim to fame at the minor league level. Last season he threw out 43% of base runners (14 out of 32) and controlled the running game effectively. He did commit 7 errors in 2015 which was good for a .984 fielding percentage. With a little work, and some more time to mature, he could evolve into a very good major league catcher.

Offensively there is still a lot of work for Diaz to do. His power numbers are not that of an everyday starting catcher in the big leagues. He has never hit more than 6 home runs in a season and has never drove in more than 55 runs. Both of those numbers need to go up if he has a chance at succeeding at the major league level. He still has another year to grow before Cirvelli's contract is up, but close behind him is the Pirates number six prospect Reese McGuire.

2016 Prediction

I do not think we will be seeing much of Diaz this season. Maybe a September call-up at best or injury support. In the little major league time that he does see I have him at a .220 average with 0 home runs and 6 RBI. I feel like Diaz is not the catcher of the future for the Pirates and could possibly be used as trade bait late in the season. With McGuire only a year or two away from  the majors it could be time for the Pirates to say goodbye to Diaz.

Catching Grade: A+

The Pirates have what could be regarded as one of the best catching tandems in baseball. From their outstanding defensive play to increased offensive production, both Cirvelli and Stewart are great options for the Pirates to have. With both players together for one more year, things are looking good for the Pirates behind the plate in 2016. As for the future of the catching position, that is set as well with Diaz sitting in Triple A and McGuire playing in Double A Altoona. The catching position is one that should be set for the Pirates now and in the foreseeable future. As the season approaches, Pirates fans have nothing to worry about behind the plate as it will be manned by two very capable players for the duration of the 2016 season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Season Preview: Bullpen

With Spring Training Quickly approaching, I will be taking a look at each position group on the field and how they will contribute to this Pirates team throughout the 2016 season.

Last season, one of the driving forces of this Pittsburgh Pirates team has been the bullpen. Led by closer Mark Melancon and set-up man Tony Watson, The Pirates bullpen was the best in baseball in terms of bullpen ERA with a 2.67 mark. The bullpen has been a strong suit for the Pirates over the last several seasons, and will be looked upon to be strong again in 2016.

With players such as Antonio Bastardo and Joakim Soria gone, the Pirates will look to be filling some holes left in their bullpen due to these absences. However, when you have a leader like Melancon in the back end of the bullpen, you look to have a solid team. And this team will need to step-up again in 2016 with a rotation full of questions.

We will take a look at who I predict will be in the bullpen come opening day 2016, a review of their stats from last season, and a look ahead to my 2016 prediction. This group of guys will be called on for relief a lot this year, and they look to do their job in supporting the team throughout the season.

Mark Melancon #35 Closer

Melancon is coming off one of the best seasons as a closer in Pittsburgh Pirates history. He set the franchise record for saves in a season last year with 51, while pitching to a 2.23 ERA, and only blowing two saves over the course of the season. His strikeout numbers from a year ago took a hit with only 62, but he only walked 14 batters all season.

Melancon was shaky at times allowing some high drama situations to almost get out of hand, but he always found the way to get the job done. One thing Melancon has to improve upon in 2016 is the number of hits he is allowing. Last season he had a hits per nine inning stat of 6.69. He was almost allowing 7 hits for every nine innings he threw. If he can limit the number of hits he gives up, it will make for an easier and less hectic time late in games.

Pittsburgh has had no shortage of good closers over the last few seasons with the breakout years of Joel Hanrahan and Jason Grilli preceding Melancon. However, Melancon has put together the best season of those three in 2015 and looks to again stabilize the back end of the rotation. While many fans thought he would be gone after last season, he is here to stay and ready to close again for Pittsburgh

2016 Prediction

In 2016, I see Mark Melancon's productivity right back where it was during the 2015 season. I have him at 46-49 in save attempts with an ERA of 2.30. With the weakened rotation this year, Melancon will not get as many save opportunities as were presented in 2015. However, look for him to still be a force in the bullpen giving Pittsburgh that reliability that they need at the end of the game.

Tony Watson #44 Set-Up Man

Last season was another great season for Watson.He had another good season in 2015 pitching to a 4-1 record with a 1.80 ERA. His big break with the Bugs was in 2014 where he was named an all-star for the first time 

Watson has been an integral part of the Pirates bullpen over the last couple of years. Since his call up in 2011 he has a career 2.67 ERA and has a record of 24-8. Over his time in the majors he has been effective against both left and right handed batters

Last season, he had a strikeout per nine ratio of 7.41 last season. He has been getting batters out by any means possible. Watson along with closer Melancon have anchored this bullpen and helped them build up the bullpen to what it is today. In 2016 Watson could be thrust into a closer role if need be and is a very reliable option. With two closer type pitchers in the bullpen the back of the Pirates bullpen looks to be set.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, look for Watson to continue the successes that we have seen through the Last couple of seasons. I see him pitching to a 4-1 record again with an ERA around 2.10. Watson has been a great pitcher to this point in his career and I see nothing changing again in 2016.

Jared Hughes #48 Middle Relief Pitcher

Hughes has been one of the more underated pitchers in the Pirates bullpen over the last few seasons. Last season he pitched to a 3-1 record and an ERA of 2.28. He did an effective job of getting batters out in big situations.

Last season Hughes stranded 47 inherited runners last season only allowing 9 to score. Of a starting pitcher was in trouble, it was Hughes's job to bail them out and he did so effectively.

Known for his Sprint in from the bullpen, Hughes brings fire to the mound and sets a fire to the field. He has a strikeout to walk ratio of 1.80 which is respectable for a major leaguer. The right handed indices alot of ground balls and doesn't strike out alot of batters. If he can improve upon his strikeout numbers from last season He could be an even more effective pitcher.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, Hughes will not have quite the success he had in 2015 but he will still be a good pitcher. I have him with a record of 3-2 and an ERA at 2.40. As the guy called on in big situations, Hughes will be called upon I'm many big situations in 2016. I am personally a big fan of Jared Hughes and I think he will be successful in 2016.

John Holdzkom #43 Middle Relief Pitcher

After an injury plagued 2015 season, Holdzkom will be back in 2016. His debut back in 2014 took the Pirates by storm. His transition from Independent League to the Majors was a great story and his on field talents backed him up.

It is an extremely small sample size but in 2014 He pitched to a 1-0 record with a 2.00 ERA in 9 innings of work. It was enough for him to make the post season roster in 2014. 

With Holdzkom, the big key will be how he bounces back from injury. With a year out of the big leagues can he come back and be effective in 2016.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, look for Holdzkom to go through some growing pains in what will be his first full season in the major leagues. I have him going 4-3 With an ERA of 3.20. He will be used in the not so high leverage situations especially early on to ease him into his role. I feel Holdzkom will be an effective major leaguer it will just take some time for him to get used to his role.

Arquemides Caminero #37 Middle Relief Pitcher

Caminero came to Pittsburgh from the Miami Marlins and had an up and down season in 2016. He pitched to a record of 5-1 With a 3.62 ERA. Caminero struck out a lot of batters but also have up a lot of hits 

He had a hits per nine inning ratio of 7.59 Last season. However he had a total of 73 strikeouts last season. When Caminero is on he can strike out any batter on any day. However, if Caminero struggle it could be a long night at the ball park.

In 2016 Caminero need a to work on limiting the number of hits he gives up. Also, he has to avoid the big inning. When he did get in trouble it started to snow ball on him last season. If he can limit the hits given up and strikeout more batters, he could be a quality major league pitcher.

2016 Prediction

In 2016 I expect Caminero to make major strides from his 2015 season. In his second full big league season and his second season working with Ray Searage, he will be able to fix some of his mechanic problems. I have him pitching to a 3-1 record with an 2.50 ERA. I think he will be a major find for Pittsburgh and could possibly close for this team when Melancon's time is up in Pittsburgh.

Juan Nicasio #12 Long Relief Pitcher

Nicasio came over in free agency this off-season as starter depth and long relief help. He had a rough time of things in Los Angeles last season with a 1-3 record and an ERA of 3.86. The one time starter, Nicasio was moved to the bullpen after struggling last season and looks to restore himself in 2016.

Nicasio was efficient in striking batters out last year when he struck out 65 batters in 58.1 innings pitched. Nicasio and Caminero look to lead the bullpen in the strikeout department in 2016 

The other benefit of Nicasio is his starting experience. Of someone in the rotation gets hurt or falters, Nicasio can step in and be a quality starter in their absence. Look for Nicasio to make a spot start here and there whole mostly doing long relief work out of the bullpen.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, I feel Nicasio will be the underdog in this Pirates bullpen. I look for him to have a good season. I have him pitching to a 6-3 record with an ERA of 3.20. Nicasio will make 3 or 4 starts over the season but will primarily be used in the bullpen. He will be an addition the Pirates really need especially to eat up innings.

Kyle Lobstein #53 Long Relief Pitcher

The final man in my predicted 2016 bullpen is lefty Kyle Lobstein. Lobstein came over from Detroit over the offseason where he was also used as a starter and long relief help. In his first major league experience he pitched to a 3-8 record with a 5.94 ERA. 

Again a very small sample size for Lobstein He made 11 starts for the Tigers last season and had 39 strikeouts in 63 innings of worked. He is more of a contact pitcher and with the Pirates infield defense he should be able to rely on defenders to make plays.

Lovers in would be the only other left handed pitcher besides Watson in this bullpen. So, Lobstein could see some one batter work as well being a lefty specialist. Again he is another option for starting depth if someone goes down.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, look for Lobstein to be mostly a lefty specialist for Pittsburgh. I have him pitching to a 5-3 record with a 4.10 ERA. He might make 1 or 2 starts over the course of the season. Having a second lefty in the bullpen will be crucial for this team.

Bullpen Grade: A

I feel the Pittsburgh Pirates 2016 bullpen will be a strong suit again. It will be called upon to back up these starters and could be thrust into a lot of work. If guys like Vogelsong and Locke struggle, they will be asked to log alot of innings. With the season approaching soon, the bullpen will be warming up and getting ready to succeed again in 2016.

Pittsburgh Pirates Season Preview: Starting Rotation

Pittsburgh Pirates Rotation Looks For Consistency In 2016

With Spring Training Quickly approaching, I will be taking a look at each position group on the field and how they will contribute to this Pirates team throughout the 2016 season.

Last season, the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation was full of quality starting pitching including the likes of Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano, AJ Burnett, and J.A. Happ. Cole lead the group with 19 wins and an ERA of 2.60. That rotation was key to the Pirates achieving 98 wins and making the National League Playoffs for the third season in a row. 

Looking to this season, the only two of those four that remain are Cole and Liriano. While that is a good one two punch the rest of the rotation has a big question mark on its back. The additions of Jon Neise and Ryan Vogelsong  bring in two wily veterans both coming off of sub par seasons. We will take a look at all five of the projected starters for the rotation and talk about how they look to help the Pirates this season.

Gerrit Cole #45 RHP

Gerrit Cole was the unsung leader of the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation last season. He had a record of 19-8 with a 2.60 ERA, both career records for the 25 year old. He set career records in almost every pitching category including innings pitched (208.0), Strikeouts (202), and Whip (1.09). Whenever the Pirates needed him during the season he was able to come through and keep the Pirates in the game. He only gave up more than three earned runs three times all season. 

Since his call up in the 2013, Cole has not had a losing record and has been everything the Pirates hoped for. He has a career record of 40-20 with an ERA of 3.07. All things considered Cole has been a great pick for the Pirates. He was chosen as the first overall pick in the 2011 First Year Player Draft out of UCLA and has never had a losing record as a professional. 

The key to Cole's success as a major leaguer is his ability to strike out batters. He had a strikeout per nine inning of 8.74 in the 2015 season, and over his career that average sits at 8.55. He has been able to do this while keeping his number of walks low with that average in 2015 at 1.90. He is able to strike many batters out while not giving out many free passes. 

One of the downfalls to Cole is his batting average on balls in play, which was .308 last season. If the batter makes contact with one of Cole's pitches it is highly likely that that ball will find a hole and count as a hit. This is something that can also be improved by defensive play which the Pirates have definitely built on this season.

2016 Season Prediction

In 2016, look for Cole to be a leader once again of this pitching rotation. The Ace will have to keep up the solid work he has put forth over his career. In 2016 I expect Cole to have a record of 22-9 with an ERA around 3.10. I can see a small jump in ERA with the increased responsibility for Cole, but I feel he will be up to the challenge and will be able to dominate once again like he did in 2015.

Francisco Liriano #47 LHP

The second part of Pittsburgh's one-two punch, Francisco Liriano was another key to Pittsburgh's 2015 season success. He had a record of 12-7 and an ERA hovering at 3.38. While he did not have as good of a season as Cole did, he was an integral part of the 2015 season. He lead all starters in strikeouts last season with 205 and was able to tie Cole for the most double plays on the team.

Lirano features one of the nastiest sliders in the league and when it is on opposing batters are going to have a nightmare night at the plate. This slider, set up by his other pitches, leads to these high strikeout numbers. Of his 32 starts last season, he had 6 games in which he struck out 10 or more batters. 

He was also a workhorse for the staff only throwing less than 5 innings once during the season. Liriano and Cole set up a nice one two punch for the Pirates and both could be potential all-stars in the 2016 season. While Cole is clearly the best in the starting rotation, it could come down to Liriano's success this season determining whether the Pirates have a chance to compete.

While Liriano does strikeout a lot of batters, his big downfall has been that he can also walk a lot of batters. Last season he walked three or more batters in 13 of his starts. In 2016 he needs to limit the number of walks that he allows during the season. By doing this his strikeout numbers might go down, but in the long run it will be more beneficial to this team.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, Liriano will be able to once again prove a consistent pitcher for Pittsburgh. I can see him with a record of 13-9 and an ERA at around 3.35. He will continue to strikeout batters at a healthy rate, but I feel that the walks will come to haunt him in some contests. But, as I said earlier, Liriano's success or failure could very well determine the Pirates chances in 2016.

Jon Niese #18 LHP

Coming over in the trade that sent Neil Walker to the New York Mets, Niese is coming off of a sub par season with the Mets. He had a record of 9-10 with an ERA at 4.13 for the World Series runner up Mets. Last season was the worst in his major league career and he looks to turn things around again under the watchful eye of pitching coach Ray Searage.

While many fans didnt like this move, I actually agreed with it and think Niese will be a good update to this Pirates rotation. Throughout his career he has been an innings eater with a record at around .500 for the season. This is exactly what the Pirates need for their 2016 rotation. Over his career Niese has averaged about 133 innings a season over his eight year career. His stats are comparable to that of a guy like Paul Maholm.

If Niese is able to keep his career consistency up he will be just fine in the Pirates rotation. Every team needs a guy who can eat innings and keep his team in the ball game. Last season of his 29 starts 18 were quality starts. If he is able to keep the Pirates in ball games, the offense will come around and give him support. 

Niese is not going to strike a lot of guys out, so he has to rely on the defense behind him to make plays. He caused 17 double plays last season and looking ahead to this season, that could be a big part of his game. Searage has been known to revitalize the career of pitchers before, so he will have to work with Niese this season and see if he can get him to be a contributor to this Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, I feel Niese will be a consistent starter in the Pirates rotation. I have him with a 10-10 record and an ERA around 3.75. I feel Niese will get good defensive play from the Pirates and that he will be able to work on his strikeout rate. A new venue could be just what Niese needed, and PNC Park is a very friendly park to left handed pitchers. When thinking of Niese's 2016 season, consistency will be the magic word.

Ryan Vogelsong #14 RHP

The two time world series champion and two time all-star Ryan Vogelsong is in a similar situation coming into the 2016 season. He has had a rough last couple of seasons and is looking to rebound in 2016. Last season, Vogelsong had a record of 9-11 with a 4.67 ERA. The 13 year veteran has been up and down his entire career with his major success coming in the 2011 and 2012 seasons where he went a combined 27-15 and lead the Giants to a world championship.

Flash forward to 2016 and we are looking at a beat up veteran looking to bounce back in 2016. I see Vogelsong as the dark horse candidate in this rotation. If he is able to succeed it is a big plus for the Pirates. However, if he fails the Pirates have young pitching depth that can replace him. 

He allowed 4.20 runs per nine inning last season and only produced 9 quality starts. He also allowed 58 walks in 135 innings pitched. If he wants to succeed in 2016, he will have to lower his walks and be able to limit the number of runs he allows. With the Clemente wall in PNC Park, Vogelsong will have to watch keeping pitches up in the strike zone as that will smell trouble when facing left handed batters.

Another revision project for Searage, Vogelsong is looking to turn himself around again in 2016. With some hard work and a little bit of luck I could see Vogelsong's numbers jumping a little bit but not nearly to the extent of names like Burnett and Happ in the past.

2016 Prediction

In 2016 I see Vogelsong being an average pitcher at best in the rotation. I have his record at 8-12 with an ERA around 4.20. While I want Vogelsong to succeed in the Pirates rotation, I just cant see him coming back to his 2011-2012 form. He will hopefully prove me wrong, but dont look for Vogelsong to have too much of an impact in 2016.

Jeff Locke #49 LHP

At one point he was considered the future of the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation, but now he has dropped off considerably since then. Last season he had a record of 8-12 with an ERA of 4.49. Ever since his successful 2013 season in which he was named an all-star and had a 10-7 record, Locke hasnt been able to piece together a consistent or successful campaign. 

He had a walk per nine inning of 3.21 last season while his strikeout per nine sat at 6.90. The major problem with Locke is his inconsistency. When he is on, he is one of the better pitchers in the game. However, when he is off he is one of the worst. 

Last season he gave up 3 or more earned runs in 12 of his 30 starts, and in those 12 starts he pitched seven innings once. So, he has given up a lot of runs and hasn't pitched many innings causing much headache for the bullpen. His inconsistencies have caused the Pirates to lose many key games that he has started in.

On the other side, when he gives up 2 runs or less he has been pretty dominant. He has only thrown under four innings in these types of game once. Locke's main area of focus in 2016 is consistency. He has to work on staying in the game longer and keeping the opposing teams runs down.

2016 Prediction

In 2016, I do not see Locke improving at all from 2015. I have him at a record of 5-9 and an ERA around 4.60. I think he will eventually be replaced in the rotation by mid July. With the young pitching talent that Pittsburgh has Locke will have to be able to be more consistent if he wants a chance to stay in the Pirates rotation for the 2016 season.

Overall Rotation Grade: B -

I feel the Pirates 2016 rotation is strong, but not strong enough to be in A territory. There are a lot of questions surrounding the Pirates 2016 starting rotation. Will Jon Niese and Ryan Vogelsong return to their successful forms, will Cole continue his success, and will Locke ever turn around his career. With spring training only five days away, many of these questions will come to light soon. In the meantime all of these starters should have one word in their mind: Consistency.