Pittsburgh Pirates 2026 Season Preview
Jul 27, 2016 13:14:12 GMT -5
Ross White Sox, Jeremiah:OriolesGM, and 1 more like this
Post by marcus.dodgers on Jul 27, 2016 13:14:12 GMT -5
It was a crazy offseason and even spring training for the buccos. Let's look at their lineups and talk about their strengths and weaknesses.
Starting Rotation:
Armando Torres: One of the best players in the league. Multiple Cy Young award winner. All of that speaks for itself.
Shane Watson : A former Padre who had a down year last year. We are hoping to see a bounceback like we did last year with former padre Nick Ciuffo. He had a nasty good spring training. Upcoming free agent.
Ben Collier: Fan favorite, even signed a hometown discount deal last year. I hope he has a bit better year maybe even breaking into the vaunted 5.0 WAR category. Damn fine number 3 starter.
Sergio Lopez: Is he ever going to live up to his supposedly super high ceiling? This is the year it will happen, if it is to happen in a pirates uni. Too many good young pitchers in the high system. Finished last year strong though.
Nick Tropeano: Journeyman pitcher who did really well in his September callup last season. I wanted to give him Herold Elliot's spot and see how it plays out.
Bullpen:
Luke Butler: Returns as closer. Don't know how long he can keep it from Elroy Carlson. That will be an intriguing story to watch.
Rafael Reyes: Didn't have a good spring. Let's hope he as better start to the season.
Elroy Carlso: Closer of the future? One of my better (best?) late round picks.
Pedro Ortiz: I like this guy. He just doesn't pitch well all the time. Can hold down a rotation spot for a little while.
Herold Elliot: Was a starter last season and can slide into that role again if Tropeano doesn't work out.
Domingo Tapia: MiFA last year and did a pretty good job in my AAA team. He has good tools according to my scout. Let's see how he plays out.
Catcher Nick Ciuffo: Hoping he repeats last season's numbers on both sides of the ball. Didn't have a good spring so we shall see.
Backup Catcher Yoel Gonzales: I was hoping to have one of my younger guys hold this down, but no one blew me away in S/T enough to show they could hold down a DH spot if necessary. Brought Yoel back up as he's a really solid defender.
1b Daniel Warner: Could have been League MVP last season if he wasn't injured. Hoping he gets even better and stays a bit healthier.
2b Alejandro Diaz: Mr 2.0 WAR himself. I'm hoping I can get a younger guy in there by midseason. But this guy is consistent at least. Plays pretty good defense and stays on the field.
3B Jesse Mason: Another young guy getting a shot. Did really well last year AFTER a septemper callup. I want to see what he can do in a full season and at third base. Going to be interesting to watch him mature.
SS Kenny Cooper: Mr. Gold glove himself. Did respectably on offense in his rookie campaign last season. Destroyed pitching in spring training. I want to see him get the elusive +20ZR this season. That would be fun to watch.
LF Edgar Guillermo Lopez: This is where my lineup starts to get dodgy. We gave this guy a shot last season and he didn't do so well. But he's had a great spring and earned at least a temporary spot on the roster. His leash will be short, and this could be his last chance with this organization. Hoping for the best.
CF Fabian Eigner: He is far from ideal at this spot. Not a great defender, not even a professional level hitter. But he's what I have until Chuck Adams comes back. I had Dave Burns penciled in here but he was TERRIBLE in S/T. Hoping he gets a may callup. I just hope we're still in the race at that point.
RF Harris Williams: Does a pretty good job against RHP. Doesn't know which end of the bat to hold against LHP. Had a great start to S/T, then got hurt with a small injury. Tends to happen to him a bit. He's the king of the day to day. But I love this guy. He's developed into a really good defensive RF who can hit the longball.
DH/Backup 1b/Platoon RF(against Lefties) Jim Tipping: Will play 1b, RF and DH some depending on the pitcher. I love this guy. My scout hates him. But look at his past two seasons. Mr. Consistent. Had a terrible spring, though.
Backup DH Greg Clarke: His ratings went back up this offeseason and he still looked like poop in S/T some games. But he finished strong. I will grudgingly start him in LF if I need to.
Edgar Nunez: I want him to be the everyday LF. He's young and he plays good defense. We'll see how that plays out.
Reginald Picot: Mr. Utility. He is very streaky, but if he's on, lookout!
Breakout's I'd like to see:
Leonard McCullough: Showed Glimpses in S/T of the greatness that could be there. I just want to see the consistency.
Dan Adams: Gave him a shot a little too soon last season. Another in S/T. He's just not quite ready.
Artie Simmons: Has a SMALL shot of making the bigs. Will be in his highest level as a pro this season. Will be demoted back to A again if he can't put the pieces together.
Chris Alston: He is streaky, but I think he'll make a great outfielder one day. Maybe even this season.
Dave Burns: Great defensive CF. If I can get him hitting .240 I'll promote him to the bigs. His defense will make my team so much better.
Wayne Fuller: I wanted him to start the season as my starting 2b. Didn't quite have the spring I had hoped for. Promoted him to see if he can make it happen in AA.
There are too many question marks for me to give you a record prediction without me just making a number up. Best of luck out there tonight guys! May your injuries be few and your recoveries be swift!
Starting Rotation:
Armando Torres: One of the best players in the league. Multiple Cy Young award winner. All of that speaks for itself.
Shane Watson : A former Padre who had a down year last year. We are hoping to see a bounceback like we did last year with former padre Nick Ciuffo. He had a nasty good spring training. Upcoming free agent.
Ben Collier: Fan favorite, even signed a hometown discount deal last year. I hope he has a bit better year maybe even breaking into the vaunted 5.0 WAR category. Damn fine number 3 starter.
Sergio Lopez: Is he ever going to live up to his supposedly super high ceiling? This is the year it will happen, if it is to happen in a pirates uni. Too many good young pitchers in the high system. Finished last year strong though.
Nick Tropeano: Journeyman pitcher who did really well in his September callup last season. I wanted to give him Herold Elliot's spot and see how it plays out.
Bullpen:
Luke Butler: Returns as closer. Don't know how long he can keep it from Elroy Carlson. That will be an intriguing story to watch.
Rafael Reyes: Didn't have a good spring. Let's hope he as better start to the season.
Elroy Carlso: Closer of the future? One of my better (best?) late round picks.
Pedro Ortiz: I like this guy. He just doesn't pitch well all the time. Can hold down a rotation spot for a little while.
Herold Elliot: Was a starter last season and can slide into that role again if Tropeano doesn't work out.
Domingo Tapia: MiFA last year and did a pretty good job in my AAA team. He has good tools according to my scout. Let's see how he plays out.
Catcher Nick Ciuffo: Hoping he repeats last season's numbers on both sides of the ball. Didn't have a good spring so we shall see.
Backup Catcher Yoel Gonzales: I was hoping to have one of my younger guys hold this down, but no one blew me away in S/T enough to show they could hold down a DH spot if necessary. Brought Yoel back up as he's a really solid defender.
1b Daniel Warner: Could have been League MVP last season if he wasn't injured. Hoping he gets even better and stays a bit healthier.
2b Alejandro Diaz: Mr 2.0 WAR himself. I'm hoping I can get a younger guy in there by midseason. But this guy is consistent at least. Plays pretty good defense and stays on the field.
3B Jesse Mason: Another young guy getting a shot. Did really well last year AFTER a septemper callup. I want to see what he can do in a full season and at third base. Going to be interesting to watch him mature.
SS Kenny Cooper: Mr. Gold glove himself. Did respectably on offense in his rookie campaign last season. Destroyed pitching in spring training. I want to see him get the elusive +20ZR this season. That would be fun to watch.
LF Edgar Guillermo Lopez: This is where my lineup starts to get dodgy. We gave this guy a shot last season and he didn't do so well. But he's had a great spring and earned at least a temporary spot on the roster. His leash will be short, and this could be his last chance with this organization. Hoping for the best.
CF Fabian Eigner: He is far from ideal at this spot. Not a great defender, not even a professional level hitter. But he's what I have until Chuck Adams comes back. I had Dave Burns penciled in here but he was TERRIBLE in S/T. Hoping he gets a may callup. I just hope we're still in the race at that point.
RF Harris Williams: Does a pretty good job against RHP. Doesn't know which end of the bat to hold against LHP. Had a great start to S/T, then got hurt with a small injury. Tends to happen to him a bit. He's the king of the day to day. But I love this guy. He's developed into a really good defensive RF who can hit the longball.
DH/Backup 1b/Platoon RF(against Lefties) Jim Tipping: Will play 1b, RF and DH some depending on the pitcher. I love this guy. My scout hates him. But look at his past two seasons. Mr. Consistent. Had a terrible spring, though.
Backup DH Greg Clarke: His ratings went back up this offeseason and he still looked like poop in S/T some games. But he finished strong. I will grudgingly start him in LF if I need to.
Edgar Nunez: I want him to be the everyday LF. He's young and he plays good defense. We'll see how that plays out.
Reginald Picot: Mr. Utility. He is very streaky, but if he's on, lookout!
Breakout's I'd like to see:
Leonard McCullough: Showed Glimpses in S/T of the greatness that could be there. I just want to see the consistency.
Dan Adams: Gave him a shot a little too soon last season. Another in S/T. He's just not quite ready.
Artie Simmons: Has a SMALL shot of making the bigs. Will be in his highest level as a pro this season. Will be demoted back to A again if he can't put the pieces together.
Chris Alston: He is streaky, but I think he'll make a great outfielder one day. Maybe even this season.
Dave Burns: Great defensive CF. If I can get him hitting .240 I'll promote him to the bigs. His defense will make my team so much better.
Wayne Fuller: I wanted him to start the season as my starting 2b. Didn't quite have the spring I had hoped for. Promoted him to see if he can make it happen in AA.
There are too many question marks for me to give you a record prediction without me just making a number up. Best of luck out there tonight guys! May your injuries be few and your recoveries be swift!