Juan Nicasio continued his hot spring training as the Pirates defeated the Minnesota Twins on the road today by a score of 2-0.
The Pittsburgh Pirates were in split squad action this afternoon, and half the team traveled to Century Link Sports Complex to take on the Minnesota Twins. The Pirates were able to defeat the Twins by a final Score of 2-0. Pitching was very good today only giving up sic hits on the afternoon in 9.0 innings of work.
Juan Nicasio started the game for the Pirates and continued what has been an outstanding spring for the Pirates. He threw 5.0 innings giving up five hits while walking two and striking out eight, Nicasio has really solidified his spot as the fifith starter in the Pirates rotation. Out of the three candidates, Nicasio has had the best spring and has had the most experience.
In his last two innings he has thrown 10 innings and struck out 18 batters. Not particularly known as a strikeout pitcher, Nicasio has really turned it on this spring and has impressed me as the spring progresses. As it stands right now, he is having the best spring out of any pitcher on the roster throwing 15.0 innings while striking out 24 batters and having yet to give up a run. Nicasio pitched in the bullpen last season and is looking to return to the starting rotation for Pittsburgh here in 2016.
Nicasio has been a bright spot for the Pirates this spring and looks to continue this success into the regular season. Nicasio's best major league season came with the Colorado Rockies in 2013 when he went 9-9 with a 5.14 ERA while striking out 119 and walking 64. He is looking to better those numbers in 2016 for Pittsburgh. If Nicasio can be a reliable option at the back end of the rotation, Pittsburgh could posses one of the best rotations in baseball.
Up next was Neftali Feliz, who will be in the back part of the Pirates bullpen in 2016. Feliz performed well today throwing 2.0 innings giving up no runs on one hit while striking out one. Feliz has also had a good spring pitching to a 1.50 ERA in six inning of work. The former Texas Rangers closer is looking to succeed in a late inning role for the Pirates in 2016.
The Pirates have essentially three closers in the back of their bullpen with Mark Melancon, Tony Watson, and Feliz. If the game gets into the late innings and the Pirates have the lead, there is a good chance that they are going to come out victorious. This will be a key to the Pirates success in 2016. If starters can keep them in the game and the Pirates can score enough runs, this could be a big year for the Pirates.
Veteran Jim Fuller came in to finish the game for the Pirates and threw 2.0 perfect innings while striking out two batters. Fuller collected his first save of the season in the contest and and is also pitching well with a 1.23 ERA this spring. Fuller will be a reliable reinforcement for the Pirates bullpen in 2016.
Fuller spent last season with Triple A Nashville in the Oakland Athletics organization and went 2-1 with a 2.78 ERA. Fuller has been in professional baseball for seven years and has yet to make it to the big league level. This could be the year as he will be pitching in Triple A Indianapolis. If any of the bullpen pitchers get injured, we could see Fuller up at some point during the regular season.
Pitching was very good in this game. They gave up only six hits in 9.0 innings of work and in total struck out 11 batters. Nicasio continued his hot spring and still has not given up a run. Feliz also continued his successful spring and is looking to be a key contributor to the Pirates bullpen during the 2016 season.
The offense did not do much for the Pirates in this one, but did just enough to win the game. Sometimes, that is what is going to happen for the Pirates this year. With a lack of power, the clutch RBI hit will be essential to the Pirates success. Today, they got good pitching and did just enough to win the game.
Chris Stewart lead the offensive charge today, going 1 for 2 with one run scored on the afternoon. The Pirates back-up catcher last season established his role as Gerrit Cole's personal catcher. Together they won 14 games last season and will continue the duo this season. Stewart is a great back up for the Pirates to have as he provides great defense and a bat that can come through in the clutch when the Pirates need him to.
David Freese and Starling Marte each went 1 for 2 on the day with singles in the game. Marte has been putting together a very good spring hitting .429 with one home run on the spring. Freese, who just joined the Pirates, has been in a little slump early on hitting .182 in the early going. Both players will be an essential part to this Pirates team and will help lead them to success in 2016.
Minor league outfielder Elvis Escobar got his first spring training action and went 1 for 1 with one run scored on the afternoon. Escobar spent last season on the West Virginia Black Bears and hit .296 with five home runs and 64 RBI. It will be a long time before we see him in a Pirates uniform, but he is a promising young outfielder for the Pirates to look forward to.
Up next the Pirates come back together as a full squad at McKechnie Field as they take on the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles will be sending righty Miguel Gonzalez (1-3 14.90) to the mound. The Pirates will counter with lefty Jeff Locke (0-3 7.07) as he continues his fight for the fifth starter spot. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
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