The Pittsburgh Pirates got off to a fast start in 2011, but faded down the stretch to finish fourth in the division. While this team could be tough if they put two halves of the season together, you probably won't see them on the top of too many gurus World Series predictions.
Projected Lineup
Rod Barajas (Catcher) - At the age of 36, the veteran Barajas won't be able to offer high averages or drive in a lot of runs; what he provides Pittsburgh is steadiness behind the plate. Barajas also can offer some decent power at the bottom of the lineup. He hit 16 home runs and drove in 47 runs in just 98 games with LA last season.
Garrett Jones (First Base) - The Pirates were hoping they could bring back Derrek Lee, whom they traded for at midseason last year, but he would have liked to play for a challenger. That opened up a chance for Jones to get the spot. In 148 games with the Pirates last year, generally in right field, Jones hit.243 with 16 home runs and 58 RBI.
Neil Walker (2nd Base) - The year 2011 wasn't a very good one for the second-year man. He hit the sophomore wall and played a bit worse than he probably did in his rookie season. He hit .296 with 12 homers and 66 RBI in 110 games in 2010, but hit just .273 with 12 homers and 66 RBI in 159 games in 2011. The hometown kid will turn just 26 in Sep, so he can still bounce back in 2012.
Clint Barmes (Shortstop) - Barmes ' worth to Pittsburgh is more on the what he can do in the field than on offense. The 32-year-old veteran has not batted better than .245 over the last 3 years. He did hit 23 home runs with Colorado in 2009, but he ended up with just 12 home runs and 39 RBI with Houston last season.
Pedro Alvarez (Third Base) - A good rookie year in 2010, when he hit 16 home runs and drove in 64 runs in 95 games, had everyone buzzing about his potential. But a very upsetting 2011 sent him crashing back down. Now he has to prove that his stats of .191 with 4 home runs and 19 RBI in 74 games last season was a fluke, or else he might just lose his job to somebody more meriting.
Alex Presley (Left Field) - Pittsburgh is hoping that Presley can keep the pace off his impressive showing in 52 games last season, when he batted .298 with 4 home runs, 20 RBI and 9 steals. It appears to be as though he will take over full time in left field, but if the 26-year-old lefty doesn't perform, then we would see more of Nate McLouth.
Andrew McCutchen (Center Field) - McCutchen has demonstrated that he is the franchise player for Pittsburgh after putting All-Star stats in 2011.McCutchen batted .259 with 23 home runs, 89 RBI and 23 stolen bases. He probably did struggle a bit, batting just .216 in the second half. McCutchen must continue to grow into an elect player if Pittsburgh wishes to ultimately say in the Central.
Jose Tabata (Right Field) - Despite his battles with staying healthy, the Pirates did not hesitate in extending Tabata with a lucrative six-year contract. The 23-year-old has hit .284 in 193 big league games. After re-signing him, the Pirates expect a gigantic jump in production after Tabata hit just 4 home runs with 21 RBI in 91 games last year.
Projected Lineup
Rod Barajas (Catcher) - At the age of 36, the veteran Barajas won't be able to offer high averages or drive in a lot of runs; what he provides Pittsburgh is steadiness behind the plate. Barajas also can offer some decent power at the bottom of the lineup. He hit 16 home runs and drove in 47 runs in just 98 games with LA last season.
Garrett Jones (First Base) - The Pirates were hoping they could bring back Derrek Lee, whom they traded for at midseason last year, but he would have liked to play for a challenger. That opened up a chance for Jones to get the spot. In 148 games with the Pirates last year, generally in right field, Jones hit.243 with 16 home runs and 58 RBI.
Neil Walker (2nd Base) - The year 2011 wasn't a very good one for the second-year man. He hit the sophomore wall and played a bit worse than he probably did in his rookie season. He hit .296 with 12 homers and 66 RBI in 110 games in 2010, but hit just .273 with 12 homers and 66 RBI in 159 games in 2011. The hometown kid will turn just 26 in Sep, so he can still bounce back in 2012.
Clint Barmes (Shortstop) - Barmes ' worth to Pittsburgh is more on the what he can do in the field than on offense. The 32-year-old veteran has not batted better than .245 over the last 3 years. He did hit 23 home runs with Colorado in 2009, but he ended up with just 12 home runs and 39 RBI with Houston last season.
Pedro Alvarez (Third Base) - A good rookie year in 2010, when he hit 16 home runs and drove in 64 runs in 95 games, had everyone buzzing about his potential. But a very upsetting 2011 sent him crashing back down. Now he has to prove that his stats of .191 with 4 home runs and 19 RBI in 74 games last season was a fluke, or else he might just lose his job to somebody more meriting.
Alex Presley (Left Field) - Pittsburgh is hoping that Presley can keep the pace off his impressive showing in 52 games last season, when he batted .298 with 4 home runs, 20 RBI and 9 steals. It appears to be as though he will take over full time in left field, but if the 26-year-old lefty doesn't perform, then we would see more of Nate McLouth.
Andrew McCutchen (Center Field) - McCutchen has demonstrated that he is the franchise player for Pittsburgh after putting All-Star stats in 2011.McCutchen batted .259 with 23 home runs, 89 RBI and 23 stolen bases. He probably did struggle a bit, batting just .216 in the second half. McCutchen must continue to grow into an elect player if Pittsburgh wishes to ultimately say in the Central.
Jose Tabata (Right Field) - Despite his battles with staying healthy, the Pirates did not hesitate in extending Tabata with a lucrative six-year contract. The 23-year-old has hit .284 in 193 big league games. After re-signing him, the Pirates expect a gigantic jump in production after Tabata hit just 4 home runs with 21 RBI in 91 games last year.
About the Author:
Read our 5 Dimes sportsbook review to discover why this is the number 1 place to bet your MLB picks this summer.
No comments:
Post a Comment