Well, its official. The Pirates Opening Day roster is complete. Some of the biggest discussions from recent weeks about the battle for those coveted last few spots left us all sitting in anticipation of what would happen. The way the final decisions were made was sort of a disappointment, at least for me it was. The Pirates ended up not having to make a decision. Chris Leroux, a right handed pitcher fighting for one of those spots made the decisions for them when he strained a pectoral muscle during the Pirates preseason game with the Phillies on Tuesday. This little mishap put him firmly on the 60 day DL.
This let the Pirates place pitcher Juan Cruz on the roster without having to bump a position player. Matt Hague, Josh Harrison, and Yamaico Navarro all ended up on the roster instead of one of them having to start the season at Triple-A Indianapolis.
So is this a good thing for the Pirates? Absolutely. This allows them to keep 3 players that have the potential to generate some offense for a team that sorely needs any and all offense it can find.
Now I guess it's time to final look at Opening Day..... Pirates Vs. Phillies. Erik Bedard vs Roy Halladay. I know its crazy to be so excited over a team that hasn't had a winning season in..... forever, but I can't wait to watch! Thursday at 1:35pm can't come soon enough, at least not for this Pirate fan.
Showing posts with label Josh Harrison. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Josh Harrison. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Can The Pirates Finish Over 500?
I was sitting here this morning reading all the current happenings in the Pirates world and got to thinking about whether or not they have a legit chance at ending the insanely long losing streak they are on. I have been saying they will, as a matter of fact I posted it in a previous post on here, but the last few days I haven't been so sure. Maybe that's just the disappointed fan in me that is afraid to expect anything good out of the Pirates anymore.
I think maybe what has really disheartened me this week is the fact that the Pirates organization is sticking with Pedro Alvarez on opening day. He is NOT getting any better. If he comes on strong and hits everything thrown his way then I will eat my words happily but I just can't see that happening. Through March 27th he was hitting a horrible .135.
I completely understand that sending him down to Triple-A might give him a false sense of confidence if he has success but, how is having him continue this massive slump in the majors going to help at all? I would think it would crush whatever mental strength he has left. Maybe a little false self confidence will help.
I'm getting off topic here, I wanted to talk about the Pirates finishing over 500. Even with this doubt floating around in my brain today I am sticking with my decision to say YES, they can. I think that all the injuries last year that allowed some young guys to get big league experience is going to benefit them this season. Guys like Alex Presley, Michael McKenry, and Josh Harrison (who hasn't officially made the roster yet) can take what they learned and help generate a few more defensive plays, hits, runs, and wins.
I also think the addition of Bedard and Burnett is going to generate at least a few more wins. Were they the best available guys to help the Pirates.... no. But are they going to help them..... Yes. They bring some experience that the Pirates just don't have. If nothing else maybe they can help some of the rest of the pitching staff step up their game a little.
The Buccos may not finish the season by winning the World Series, however I do think they are going to finally end that horrible losing streak, even if its only by a game or two.
I think maybe what has really disheartened me this week is the fact that the Pirates organization is sticking with Pedro Alvarez on opening day. He is NOT getting any better. If he comes on strong and hits everything thrown his way then I will eat my words happily but I just can't see that happening. Through March 27th he was hitting a horrible .135.
I completely understand that sending him down to Triple-A might give him a false sense of confidence if he has success but, how is having him continue this massive slump in the majors going to help at all? I would think it would crush whatever mental strength he has left. Maybe a little false self confidence will help.
I'm getting off topic here, I wanted to talk about the Pirates finishing over 500. Even with this doubt floating around in my brain today I am sticking with my decision to say YES, they can. I think that all the injuries last year that allowed some young guys to get big league experience is going to benefit them this season. Guys like Alex Presley, Michael McKenry, and Josh Harrison (who hasn't officially made the roster yet) can take what they learned and help generate a few more defensive plays, hits, runs, and wins.
I also think the addition of Bedard and Burnett is going to generate at least a few more wins. Were they the best available guys to help the Pirates.... no. But are they going to help them..... Yes. They bring some experience that the Pirates just don't have. If nothing else maybe they can help some of the rest of the pitching staff step up their game a little.
The Buccos may not finish the season by winning the World Series, however I do think they are going to finally end that horrible losing streak, even if its only by a game or two.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Will we see Pedro on opening day?
After 2011 Pedro Alvarez really needed to come into Spring Training and show the Pirates that last year was a slump that he has worked his way out of. From what I have seen so far he is still knee deep in slumpville. Pedro is batting a .148 over 12 games with 11 strikeouts, the only bright spot in that is he has hit 2 homeruns.
He hasn't been completely aweful defensively but when you look at what some of the guys who could take over at third base are doing during Spring Training you can't help but wonder why the Pirates would have him on their opening day roster. He would be better off starting the season in Triple A Indianapolis working on getting that batting average up. Lets be honest here folks the Pirates need bats in their lineup. Thats not going to change over night so they really need to go with the better bat here. I really don't see Pedro stepping onto the field on opening day.
I have already mentioned several times I really like what Matt Hague brings to the plate, literally and figurtively as well as Josh Harrison. Harrison already has a little experience with the Buccos, having started several games at third last season (among other locations) and while he wasn't brilliant, I will still take him over what I am seeing out of Alvarez. Plus Harrison brings more of a threat on the basepath, he might generate an extra look from opposing pitchers and catchers, I like that too.
Just over 2 weeks left till opening day.
He hasn't been completely aweful defensively but when you look at what some of the guys who could take over at third base are doing during Spring Training you can't help but wonder why the Pirates would have him on their opening day roster. He would be better off starting the season in Triple A Indianapolis working on getting that batting average up. Lets be honest here folks the Pirates need bats in their lineup. Thats not going to change over night so they really need to go with the better bat here. I really don't see Pedro stepping onto the field on opening day.
I have already mentioned several times I really like what Matt Hague brings to the plate, literally and figurtively as well as Josh Harrison. Harrison already has a little experience with the Buccos, having started several games at third last season (among other locations) and while he wasn't brilliant, I will still take him over what I am seeing out of Alvarez. Plus Harrison brings more of a threat on the basepath, he might generate an extra look from opposing pitchers and catchers, I like that too.
Just over 2 weeks left till opening day.
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