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.