Pirates Preview: Lineup

The Pirates lineup certainly took a major hit (no pun intended) when they lost Jung Ho Kang to Visa issues related to his drunk driving. In turn, this leaves the lineup one power threat short. Though, this doesn't mean the Pirates still don't have a potent lineup. 

Looking up and down the lineup card, we will see capable bats throughout. Here, I will preview how the general lineup will look like, even though I know Hurdle will be flexible with his lineups as always. 

1) 2B Josh Harrison: I have been advocating for Francisco Cervelli to leadoff for awhile. However, I do not think Hurdle sees it that way. One criticism I have with Hurdle is that he's a believer in speed at the leadoff spot, even if the other skills needed for that spot may not be there. Hence why Harrison is in this spot. I get the sense that Hurdle will force Harrison into the leadoff spot despite him not being the best fit there, simply because of speed alone.

2) CF Starling Marte: I think the Pirates are still under the impression that they want their best hitter to hit second. However, Cutch will bat third and that has been confirmed, and Polanco fits well somewhere else in the lineup, which we'll get to. So naturally, Marte, a great hitter in his own right, may get the nod to hit second. While I like Marte as a more middle-of-the-lineup guy, I think the Pirates may place him here to start him off in the Marte-Cutch-Polanco chain in the lineup because of his natural ability to hit for contact and steal bases. 

3) RF Andrew McCutchen: I don't believe in "comfortable spots" in a lineup for players too often, but I think McCutchen is an exception. I feel the Pirates realize that him hitting third is what is best for him, as well as the team. They've already confirmed he will hit third, so there's that too. 

4) LF Gregory Polanco: I like the idea of a Marte, Cutch, Polanco chain in the lineup, which I eluded to earlier. I think it is where they can really do damage. I have Polanco hitting cleanup based on his skill set. He is primed for a breakout year where the homers just keep coming. Polanco has been bulking up in order to realize his power potential, and this appears to be the year where he may crack 30 HRs. Without Kang, and possibly even with Kang, Polanco may be best suited to hit cleanup. 

5) 1B Josh Bell: I like Bell in the 2 hole, but I don't think the Pirates will hit him there, and it's not a huge deal in this case. Bell's bat will play anywhere you put him in the lineup because of his pure ability to hit and get on-base. If his power develops, that'd be a major boost. 

6) 3B David Freese: Freese will fill in at 3B, and that's not so bad. Him being a substitute 3B means you have it pretty good. While he's not a great hitter, he will do enough to be an asset in that department. Let's just hope the strikeouts cease a bit. 

7) C Francisco Cervelli: Cervelli is a high-OBP guy with very little power, which is why I want him leading off. I do not think that happens though, as I previously mentioned. Therefore, he gets taken all the way down to the 7 spot. He will do what he does and be what he is; nothing more, nothing less, and that's not so bad to have. 

8) SS Jordy Mercer: Mercer's bat leaves a lot to be desired, but he's a pretty okay SS nonetheless. He is coming off his best offensive season though so maybe something has clicked for him. If he can have a similar year to his 2016 year at the plate, the lineup would receive a major boost. 

As I said, I think Hurdle will mix and match lineups based on matchups, who's hot, etc. but the one thing that I hope won't change is the Marte-McCutchen- Polanco chain in the lineup. Overall, I see a very good Pirates lineup that I think is the biggest strength of this 2017 team. 

Pirates Preview: Bullpen

The Pirates situation in the bullpen is potentially the most fascinating of the bunch. They have an array of guys who are capable bullpen pitchers but only 7 spots when it comes down to it. This is complicated by the fact that they have 5 lefties that may all receive spots in the bullpen. Here, I will go through who I expect to get the bullpen spots and will look into each player. Moreover, I will organize this by lefties and righties. I will also look at the main snub(s) from the group. 

Lefties:

1) Wade LeBlanc: I was surprised when the Pirates added LeBlanc late last season then was even more surprised when they signed him to a multi-year contract as a tender candidate (I didn't even expect a tender). However, he not only looked good in the limited looks he received last year on the Pirates, but he's had a strong spring on top of it, and appears ready to prove that he belongs. I feel he's done more than enough to earn a look in the bullpen to begin the year. Whether he will take that next step is subject to anyone's best guess. 

2) Antonio Bastardo: Pirates aspired to trade Bastardo all offseason but to no avail as there were zero takers for the lefty presumably. Bastardo is in his second stint with the Pirates after being acquired by the Mets in August last season in exchange for Jon Niese. Even though Bastardo had a rough and tumble 2016 season, I believe he could still be effective in a role in the bullpen. While lefty specialist may not fit him best, I think it may be the spot he must take on and embrace. But I doubt he will be used as just that as I expect Hurdle to use the bullpen flexibly. 

3) Tony Watson: Watson was another guy the Pirates were trying to unload this offseason, mainly for salary relief and to add extra space to a crowded bullpen. But it looks like the bullpen will have Watson. 2016 was shaky for Watson as the innings workload from all his years caught up to him a bit. People, including me, are now skeptical whether he has anything left in the tank. Well, that's tough to say. Hopefully Hurdle won't overwork him because I think Watson can be solid if used an appropriate amount of times. He's not a guy you can trot out there 4-5 times a week anymore and expect great results. 

4) Felipe Rivero: Probably the Pirates best reliever, Felipe Rivero will be the key component of the bullpen this season. This is potentially the year that Rivero lives up to all the hype that he has garnered. With an electric fastball and a devastating changeup, Rivero has all the tools to be absolutely dominant. The main role he will fill is unclear, but he's the kind of pitcher that can do all sorts of different things in all kinds of situations. 

Snub: 

Tyler Webb: I like Tyler Webb, but I don't believe the Pirates will carry 5 bullpen lefties and Webb could be the odd man out in that situation. It would be ideal for the Pirates to work out a deal with the Yankees to make him a member of the Pirates that they don't need to keep on the 25-man because of Rule 5. That way, they can send him to AAA and call him up whenever he is needed. At present moment, however, I would not expect Webb to be in the Pirates' bullpen to start the season. 

Righties:

1) Daniel Hudson: Pirates took a calculated risk on Daniel Hudson by signing him this past offseason. The oft-injured righty was fairly effective for the Diamondbacks last year outside of one awful stretch that inflated his numbers. The Pirates are hoping Hudson remains healthy and is able to bring his filthiness to the Pirates. He has tools that Searage loves to work with, and there is at least a fair chance that Searage can get Hudson to his very best. Interestingly, Daniel Hudson's deal has a "games finished" incentive, which could mean nothing or mean that the Pirates may give him some chances to close out games. Stay tuned. 

2) Juan Nicasio: After a bumpy ride as a starter last year for the Pirates, Juan Nicasio was great out the bullpen. Now, he's expected to be an integral piece of the bullpen this season. What his main role will be is undetermined, but I feel a hybrid role could be in play for a guy like Nicasio. In any case, I expect him to be solid as long as he doesn't need to start games or be exposed to too many lefty hitters.

3) AJ Schugel: AJ Schugel was very effective out of the bullpen for the Pirates in 2016 after being acquired as an afterthought. His changeup is rated amongst one of the league's most effective, and I think he's finally found his niche that can turn him into a very solid bullpen pitcher. 

Overall, while the bullpen situation can be classified as a mess by many, I think it can be an effective group if not overworked and utilized correctly. The thing this bullpen could show off the most is flexibility. I hope Clint Hurdle is able to tap into this flexibility and isn't afraid to give the ball to someone that we normally wouldn't see in such a situation (for example: closer by committee). If Hurdle is able to do that, I think he can find where this bullpen can get ahead, even without the talent that previous Pirates' bullpens have had. 

Pirates Preview: Starting Pitching

While we do not yet know who the Pirates' 5th starter will be, we do know who the top 4 guys in the rotation will be. Here, I will preview these four and give my thoughts on them. I will also give my thoughts on the race for the 5th starter spot as well as who I think will get that nod. 

1) Gerrit Cole: Cole missed most of 2016 with various issues. Not only did he not have a proper spring training last year, but he was never able to get in a groove when he finally got on the field because he just got hurt again. This season appears way different. He has had a proper and full spring training and appears healthy as he can possibly get. One cannot underestimate how important that is for a player, especially a pitcher that missed much of their previous season. I get the sense that we may see a more mature Gerrit Cole this year and one that may be in the best shape he'll be. I'm excited to see what Gerrit Cole is able to do, as I think he will return close to his 2015 ace form. 

2) Jameson Taillon: Jameson Taillon burst onto the scene in 2016 after a long line of injury frustration. The former second overall pick looked just like that last season when he was bestowed the opportunity to give the big club a boost, and that was just what he did. He is expected to be just as good, if not better, this season. The key for Taillon is staying healthy, and I think the Pirates will monitor him very closely and not put him in harm's way. Henceforth, his innings threshold will be an intriguing aspect to keep an eye on this year. 

3) Chad Kuhl: Kuhl, similarly to Taillon, gave the Pirates a boost as a first-timer in the MLB in 2016, showing up to the scene to beat Kershaw in his first MLB start even. Kuhl showed enough to cement himself in the rotation in 2017, at least to begin the year. Now, he will enter his first full MLB season with a lot to prove. While many, including yours truly, are skeptical if he's a starter or an eventual reliever, there's no doubt he's earned this spot and is capable of being an otherwise solid rotation piece. 

4) Ivan Nova: Ivan Nova was acquired in August of 2016 by the Pirates. He pitched very well, and both sides were so impressed by each other that they were able to come to an agreement that keeps Nova around for 3 more years (so get used to him Pirates fans).

Nova will receive the distinct honor of pitching the Pirates home opener this season on Friday, April 7th against the Braves (I'll be there!). Now, I don't expect to see the numbers Nova put up in the latter part of last season with the Pirates happen once again, but I think he will affirm that he is a really good middle-rotation starter. As an aside, everyone that thinks baseball games are too long will love how quickly and efficiently Nova works. 

5) Ultimately, I think the 5th starter spot will go to Drew Hutchison, based solely on experience and circumstance. Pirates already have two rookies in the rotation and their "veteran" ace Gerrit Cole is still only 26. However, Drew Hutchison is also 26 but has more experience under his belt and in a rugged AL East from his Blue Jays days. Given this and the fact that he's making $2M+, which Pirates may not pay for a AAA player, more than likely adds up to Drew Hutchison in the rotation, whether we like it or not. That being said, it'd be interesting to see if Searage can work his magic again with a guy like this who still has loads of potential and is relatively young. 

Overall, the Pirates rotation won't turn heads, nor do they have to. There are guys in the rotation that simply can get the job done. While there are question marks, that's normal for any team to have at the outset of the season. I'm not as worried about the Pirates rotation as many seem to be. Gerrit Cole, in my opinion, will be the key though. He has to step up and act and pitch like a staff ace that the rest of the guys can follow. If he does that, this rotation has potential to be really good. 

Does Trevor Williams have a realistic chance to make Pirates rotation?

Pirates right-hander Trevor Williams pitched his best spring training outing recently, collecting 5 super strong innings of work to continue his awesome spring. Williams sits in a position where he still has a chance to make the Opening Day rotation and head north with the big club as it has not been decided, at least publicly, who the 5th starter will be for the Pirates. Because of all this, one has to wonder if Trevor Williams even stands a slim chance of earning that final rotation spot. 

The rotation battle features three other pitchers hopeful to head to Fenway to start their regular season; these other pitchers being Drew Hutchison, Steven Brault, and top-of-the-line prospect Tyler Glasnow. This is harsh competition considering that many see Trevor Williams as the 4th option out of the litter. However, none of these guys have really seized the opportunity this spring quite like Trevor Williams. While spring training stats are meaningless, the performances and work ethic shown can be an indicator of who has rightfully went out there and took hold of the opportunity they've been gifted. Right now, if all things were equal, Williams would be the clear front-runner for the spot. 

But it's not all created equal. Williams has the odds stacked heavily against him based on pure circumstance. Firstly, Drew Hutchison is getting paid relatively good money, and the Pirates may not want that money being wasted on a guy that's sitting in AAA. Next, Brault brings something that the Pirates do not have in the rotation, and that is being a lefty. Based on being a lefty alone, Brault stands a chance of being in the rotation. Then there's Glasnow. While unpolished, Glasnow is a premium prospect and would easily give the Pirates the most upside out of the bunch, even if he would need to take his lumps and bruises along the way. So that leaves Trevor Williams with nothing really that differentiates himself from the others. 

In turn, the main question becomes whether the Pirates will base this decision on spring performance or circumstance. In my estimation, I think circumstance will play out majorly here as spring training performance may be taken simply at face value. While Trevor Williams has had a very strong spring training, I do not think that's enough for him to overcome all the obstacles he would need to get over to make the Opening Day rotation. 

What does not having Jung Ho Kang mean for the Pirates?

It's been reported that Pirates 3rd baseman Jung Ho Kang has been denied a work visa to come to the United States. In turn, his status for whether he will be on the Pirates at any point in the 2017 season remains uncertain. While there are obvious off-field repercussions of this, there are plenty on-field consequences that will impact the Pirates as they break camp to go north in less than two weeks. 

While the Pirates have probably been preparing for life without Jung Ho Kang for weeks, maybe even months, a lot of things about this ball club change as a result of Kang's sudden absence. The Pirates will have to adjust to the situation and utilize the players they have in order to fill the gap that Kang leaves. 

The most obvious thing that changes is 3rd base. It is clear as day that David Freese will now be the everyday third baseman until further notice. And the Pirates are in a situation where he can play there everyday with no need for a platoon 1st base role as Josh Bell, being a switch-hitter, is his own platoon partner. 

But now that 3rd base changes, an extra bench spot opens up that was occupied by Freese. While Jaso, Frazier, Stewart, and Freese were guaranteed bench spots, the final spot was up for grabs between basically Gosselin and Hanson, with Osuna having a very outside chance. Now, instead of choosing between the more proven Gosselin with options and the less proven but "use him or lose him" situation regarding Hanson, the team no longer has to choose as both will assumedly on the roster. Osuna will likely not be on the roster despite his amazing spring training. 

The other thing this effects is the lineup. Kang was destined to be the cleanup hitter for the Pirates, but that now won't happen. The Pirates need to re-structure how their lineup will look. The best idea might be to put Polanco in the cleanup spot, meaning McCutchen hits 3rd, Polanco 4th, and Marte 5th, and I think this will be the look the Pirates employ while Kang isn't present. 

Overall, the Pirates are a different team without Jung Ho Kang in so many ways. His presence makes more of a difference than people realize. Not having him is going to hurt the club, but the team will simply have to adjust and have the players to do so.