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February 13, 2012

‘Pre-Season Report: Everyday Positions’

As Spring Training approaches, let’s look back on last season. The 2011 Opening Day starting lineup included three players who are no longer on the roster. Ryan Doumit, who has been the opening day Catcher for the past four seasons, is now a Minnesota Twin. Ronny Cedeno has moved on to the NY Mets and Lyle Overbay was released before 2011 ended.

Additionally, trade deadline pickups Ryan Ludwick and Derrek Lee will both most likely be gone as well. Ludwick has already signed with the Reds and it has been reported that the Pirates have given up on re-signing Lee, as he has shown no interest in considering a return to Pittsburgh.

Of the remaining players who started Game 1 last season, only Neal Walker and Andrew McCutchen are assured of beginning 2012 in the starting lineup. Both players had arguably their best seasons to date in 2011.

Playing in 159 games, Walker batted near .300 for much of the season before dropping to .273 by the time the year ended. With 163 hits, 36 of which were two-baggers, and 83 RBIs, he was a major key to what success the Pirates had in 2011. Walker also showed up defensively in a big way. It was obvious that Bill Mazeroski’s Spring Training tutorial paid off with maximum results.

McCutchen established himself as the center piece of the franchise in 2011. Combining surprising power with his amazing speed produced great results. His defensive prowess was already becoming well known prior to last season, and he kept pace with his previous performance. Offensively, McCutchen had career highs in both Home Runs and RBIs. His Stolen Bases were down a bit, but whereas in previous seasons he was expected to SET the table, 2011 found him thrust into the role as all-around run producer. 2011 also saw McCutchen’s first appearance at the MLB All-Star Game.

Also returning from last year’s starting lineup is Jose Tabata, Garrett Jones and Pedro Alvarez. Injuries interrupted the progress of both Tabata and Alvarez. Tabata spent lengthy portions of the season on Injured Reserve and Alvarez found himself in the Minor Leagues after not producing upon returning from injury.

Alvarez’s stat line for 2011 is best left in the past. Tabata had flashes of brilliance, but his development definitely suffered for the injuries. The biggest test for Tabata in 2012 is to remain on the field in order to allow his talent to mature.

Jones, on the other hand, found his playing time decreased after the acquisition of players both at First Base and the Outfield. Jones purported himself well in an ever-changing role throughout 2011. With 169 fewer at bats than the previous season, he still hit only five fewer Home Runs. By season’s end, Jones was playing more regularly and producing at a far better pace. Barring an unforeseen trade or Free Agent pickup, he heads into 2012 as the likely favorite to establish himself as the everyday First Baseman.

Besides Walker, McCutchen, Jones and Tabata (if healthy), who are the favorites to start on opening day THIS season?

Well for one, Alex Presley should be the everyday leadoff hitter with a spot in the outfield. Presley wowed the spectators at PNC Park with his hustle and fearlessness. He was arguably the most productive offensive player on the team PER AT BAT last season. Twenty-seven runs scored, six triples and nine stolen bases in only 52 games is a nice stat line for any player, let alone a rookie who began the season in the Minor Leagues. A full season with Presley wreaking havoc on the base paths might just be what the Pirates need to remain in contention in the NL Central race come September.

Similarly, Chase D’Arnaud was another rookie who made things happen when he was on base. While not the run scorer that Presley was, D’Arnaud stole twelve bases in only 48 games. Defensively, D’Arnaud shined at multiple positions. He showed hustle at the Shortstop position not seen since the heyday of Jack Wilson. He could definitely tighten things up defensively a bit, but hopefully a full Spring Training with the chance to earn a regular starting role with the big club will pay off in that area. And with the departure of Cedeno, D’Arnaud’s chances to start have skyrocketed.

Unfortunately, the injury bug bit both young players within days of each other. After being a big part of the impetus that led the Pirates to their ‘latest in the season’ first place showing in many years, both players wound up on the Injured Reserve List. It cannot be merely coincidence that their arrival on the list marked the point in the season when the Bucs started their crawl out of contention.

Another young player who played brilliantly during the Pirates’ most successful run of the season was Josh Harrison. Harrison played a spectacular Third Base at times after Alvarez’ problems began to crop up. Not known for his defensive skills, Harrison made many big plays that preserved Bucco victories in 2011. And he more than held his own offensively as well.

However, playing time will not be handed to Harrison in the upcoming season. Not only does he have to contend with Alvarez and all the opportunities that he will receive to realize his potential considering the investment involved, but Pittsburgh also added former Milwaukee Brewers’ Third Baseman, Casey McGehee to the fold. McGehee has proven power and plays decently enough in the field to supplant both Alvarez and Harrison.

The catching position seems to be completely up in the air and will be played out throughout both Spring Training and the first months of the season. Again, injuries affected this position in 2011 with both ‘Fan Favorite’ Ryan Doumit and veteran Chris Snyder spending significant time on the sidelines. As previously mentioned, Doumit has signed with the Twins, and Snyder has moved on to the Houston Astros. Although Doumit is much beloved in Pittsburgh, neither he nor Snyder had proven durable enough to aid this young team to get over the hump and back to playing winning baseball for an entire season.

Michael McKenry was picked up from the Red Sox during the season and quickly assimilated himself defensively with the club. He showed a veteran’s affinity for handling a Major League pitching staff and was both a spiritual and vocal leader for the club. Offensively, his overall numbers were not impressive but, for those watching closely, McKenry came up big in clutch situations.

Jason Jaramillo began the season as the team’s number three catcher, but spent time nursing injuries as well. Upon returning, Jaramillo got some playing time and was not a deterrent. Heading into Spring Training, it appears evident that Jaramillo will be given every opportunity to earn a spot on the roster as well as the number one spot.

Another off season acquisition will see plenty of opportunities at Catcher. The Pirates signed veteran journeyman Rod Barajas, most recently a member of the LA Dodgers, as well. Barajas is no youngster and his many years at this position have surely taken their toll on his body. Unless the Pirates are planning to use Barajas as a mentor for Minor League catching prospect Tony Sanchez, this move makes little sense.

And Sanchez must be mentioned when discussing the Pirates and the position of Catcher. The press releases about Sanchez coming out of the front office seem to indicate that the Pirates’ brass believes that he is the proverbial ‘catcher of the future’. His on field play in the Minors may indicate otherwise. Although Sanchez has shown potential, he has done nothing to set the minds of fans at ease. Additionally, he seems to have a penchant for breaking his jaw, having missed significant playing times over multiple seasons to such injuries. Most recently, Sanchez suffered yet another broken jaw, this time in a bar fight. He may not have the type of personality to be accepted by the fans. Of course a turn of fortune combined with actual on field performance would create a situation where he might be embraced by the Pirates’ faithful.

The bench players, and the important role that they play in the potential success of a season, cannot be stressed enough. In addition to those already discussed who are battling for starting spots, there remain a few players who were with the team in 2011 who will be fighting for a chance to once again man the role of reserve.

Xavier Paul found himself inserted into the starting lineup many times throughout 2011. The aforementioned injuries amongst the outfielders led to much more playing time than was expected heading into the season. Paul played well, and was a productive piece of the puzzle both on offense and defense.

Pedro Ciriaco and Eric Fryer are two other players who saw action in 2011 who will be in Bradenton, FL once Spring Training opens. Ciriaco has the better chance of returning north with the big club, although both may prove to be long shots to stick.

Any new names which surface during the spring from within the organization will be a surprise. Although the Pirates have a nice group of kids in the Minor Leagues, few appear ready to make any type of impact at all.

Finally, there are two other names that deserve mentioning. Nate McClouth has re-signed with his first big league ballclub and will hope to make the roster as a situational player and reserve. McClouth was a fan fave during his previous stint with the Bucs, and will surely hear some big cheers should he contribute to any success in 2012.

And veteran journeyman Clint Barmes will also be wearing the black and gold in Spring Training. Barmes has been an excellent player at times throughout his career. He can play multiple positions, and if not for the emergence of Troy Tulowitzki in Colorado, Barmes may well be the everyday Shortstop for the Rockies. Barmes was a member of the Houston Astros in 2011.

What are the Pirates’ chances in 2012? Only time will tell. This season, more than any in recent memory, is completely up in the air as far as guessing what might happen over 162 games.

This much is certainly true, however. Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder no longer play for teams belonging to the National League Central Division. Addition by subtraction is a nice commodity to have sometimes.

The 2011 season of the Pittsburgh Pirates proved one thing: there is a lot of potential on this team. Can Manager Clint Hurdle develop that potential into a contending team? There is certainly a lot of hope.

Injuries, as with every team and every season, will play a key role once again. But with the players who do not earn everyday spots in the lineup filling this seasons’ reserve roles, the Pirates just might have what it takes to overcome the inevitable.

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COMING SOON – ‘Pre-Season Report: Pitching’