[情報] Athlon Baseball 2009 Pirates Preview
Athlon Baseball 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
Their cross-Commonwealth rivals won the World Series in 2008. However, the
Pirates can do the Phillies one better in 2009, although you’re not likely to
see bumper stickers or signs at PNC Park touting this, uh, achievement. The
Pirates last season endured their 16th consecutive losing season, tying the
Phillies (1933-48) for the longest stretch of ineptitude in major sports
history. There’s nothing to suggest that this year’s team will snap the
streak. The Pirates continue to try to replenish a thin minor league system by
acquiring young talent, and that should translate into yet another losing
season near the confluence. “We’re not going to punt on 2009,” GM Neal
Huntington says, “but I think it’s clear that we need to accumulate as much
talent as we can and develop that talent.”
Rotation
The starters bore much of the blame for the team’s 95-loss season. The rotation
’s earned run average was a National League-worst 5.36, and the group allowed
opposing batters to hit .300. Ian Snell, Zach Duke, Tom Gorzelanny, Matt Morris
(during the first month) and assorted others had much to do with that. Only
Paul Maholm performed well every fifth day. The lefthander enjoyed a breakout
season during which he had a 3.71 ERA and deserved to win far more games than
the nine his record shows. The rotation’s failure was one reason pitching
coach Jeff Andrews was fired after the season following only one year on the
job. Veteran pitching coach Joe Kerrigan will try to see what he can do with
this group. Only Maholm’s job is secure. The other four jobs will be up for
grabs during spring training — and probably beyond.
Bullpen
Last season’s bullpen, which “helped” the Pirate pitching staff compile a
National League-high 5.08 ERA, was crippled by the loss of closer Matt Capps
for two months because of bursitis in his right shoulder. It was also hurt by
ineffectiveness for a longer period because so many relievers were tried and
found wanting. In some cases, relievers’ failures were caused by overwork due
to the inability of the starters to go deep into games consistently —
especially in Tyler Yates’ case. However, other than Capps and lefthanders
John Grabow and Sean Burnett, nobody distinguished himself. And the Pirates
will give hard-throwing righthander Craig Hansen every chance to show he can
conquer his control problems. Look for righty Evan Meek, acquired from Tampa in
the Rule 5 draft in December 2007, to get a long look during spring training.
Middle infield
The Pirates shopped shortstop Jack Wilson during the offseason but were unable
to find a taker, so he returns for at least another half-season to man the
position he’s played so well since 2001. Wilson and second baseman Freddy
Sanchez make up a formidable double-play combination — and they rank high on
the fans’ popularity meter, too. The Pirates have no real immediate successor
to Wilson internally. Brian Bixler struggled early last season when Wilson was
injured. He was overmatched at the plate and had some defensive shortcomings.
Brian Friday, the top in-house shortstop prospect, is at least two years away.
The Pirates have new first base coach Perry Hill to help instruct the
infielders this season.
Corners
Adam LaRoche is firmly entrenched at first base, but his brother Andy’s
situation across the diamond at third base is another matter. The Pirates
acquired Andy LaRoche from Los Angeles in the three-team deal with Boston that
sent Jason Bay to the Red Sox and Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers. Andy batted
just .152 in his 164 Pirate at-bats and had only seven extra-base hits. He
appeared slow afoot, and his nine errors in 49 games show he has work to do
defensively. Andy LaRoche probably has less time, because the Pirates have Neil
Walker, their top draft pick in 2004, preparing quickly to get to the major
leagues. But more to the point, relative to third base, is the presence of
Pedro Alvarez, the team’s top pick in the 2008 draft. If Alvarez becomes all
that the Pirates think he will, he could be their third baseman as soon as 2010.
Outfield
Nate McLouth emerged as a force in the lineup with his ability to get on base
and score runs. And his power numbers, helped by PNC Park’s
left-handed-friendly right field, were a welcome addition. He also won a Gold
Glove and should return as the anchor in center field. However, Andrew
McCutchen, the team’s top draft pick in 2005, could push himself into the mix
with a strong spring training. In that case, McLouth could shift to left field,
where his speed would help him cover all that ground in the home confines.
Brandon Moss, a left-handed batter who had offseason knee surgery, could be a
bit behind in spring training, but he’ll get every opportunity to nail down a
regular spot in either left or right field. He has the potential to drive the
ball into PNC Park’s cavernous left-center field. The Pirates also must find
places for speedy Nyjer Morgan and Steve Pearce, whose minor league power has
yet to emerge in the major leagues.
Catching
Ryan Doumit, the Pirates’ second-round pick in the 1999 draft, finally
cemented himself as the team’s regular catcher. The switch-hitter had 34
doubles and 15 home runs and should hit with more power as he gains major
league experience. He’s only adequate defensively, but his bat outweighs any
defensive issues. The Pirates acquired switch-hitting Jason Jaramillo from
Philadelphia to compete with holdover Robinzon Diaz for the backup spot.
Someone to watch is Steve Lerud, a left-handed hitter who was a third-round
pick in 2003. Lerud, added to the 40-man roster in November, showed signs last
season that his development could be on the uptick.
Bench
The Pirates signed free agent infielder Ramon Vazquez, who can back up
anywhere, and they hope Luis Cruz can be some help, but he showed some
shortcomings at shortstop. Morgan and Pearce — if they don’t start — could
be available as backup outfielders, plus Pearce can play first base. Former Ray
Eric Hinske was signed to be a reliable bat off the bench. The bench most
likely will be a work in progress during spring training.
Management
Owner Bob Nutting, president Frank Coonelly and Huntington realize how much the
Pirate fan base would love to see a winning season. But those three seem
focused on getting this organization on a sound footing for the years ahead to
be in a position to have consistently solid seasons. The Pirates have made
great strides in strengthening a farm system that will have to be the
organization’s lifeblood. During the offseason, they signed players from South
Africa and India. “We’re trying to be creative internationally,” Huntington
says. They even have a prospect from the North Pole — left-handed pitcher
Christopher Aure, the 15th-round pick in last June’s draft from North Pole
High School in Anchorage, Alaska.
Final analysis
Pirate fans get tired of hearing and reading this, but there’s much more work
to do before this team has a winning season, let alone becomes a contender in
the NL Central. It’s difficult to see this team making any great strides
towards overtaking Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Houston this season.
Again, what happens below the major league level will have more bearing on the
future of this organization than what happens at the big league level. In
short, a record-setting 17th consecutive losing season looms here.
Beyond the Boxscore
Grand opening The Pirates won in Atlanta 12–11 (12 innings) on Opening Night,
March 31. It was the most runs scored (combined) in a Pirate opener in the team
’s 122-year history. The old record was 21 (14–7 loss at St. Louis) in 1928.
Nate the Great Nate McLouth served notice early that he’d have a breakout
year. He hit safely in each of his first 19 games, the longest streak to start
a season by a Pirate since Charlie Grimm hit in the first 25 games in 1923. He
had 38 hits in the team’s first 27 games, including 35 in April, making him
the first Pirate to get that many April hits since Matty Alou’s 35 in 1969.
Mainstay On June 21, Jack Wilson became only the fifth Pirate to appear in
1,000 games at shortstop. Wilson, who finished the 2008 season with 1,054 games
at short, joined Honus Wagner (1,887), Arky Vaughan (1,381), Dick Groat (1,242)
and Jay Bell (1,103) in that group.
Yanks Return The Pirates played the New York Yankees in Pittsburgh June 24 for
the first time since Bill Mazeroski won the 1960 World Series with that famous
walk-off home run in the ninth inning Oct. 13. In between the games in 1960 and
last season, the price of a gallon of gasoline rose from 31 cents to $4.07.
Buc Brothers Adam and Andy LaRoche became the first pair of brothers to play as
teammates for the Pirates in the same season since Eddie and Johnny O’Brien in
1958. Double time The Pirates led the major leagues in turning double plays
with 179 in 2008. They also led the majors in turning double plays in 2007
(190).
Victory The Pirates finally ended a 10-game losing streak against the Chicago
Cubs (dating to 2007) on May 17 at Wrigley Field when McLouth hit a two-run
home run in the ninth inning of a 7–6 victory. It was the first time the
Pirates had lost 10 straight to the Cubs since 1890-91.
Farm System
2008 Top Draft Pick — The Pirates’ drafting of third baseman Pedro Alvarez
second overall out of Vanderbilt last June created quite the buzz among the team
’s fans. Make that a protracted buzz. Depending on which side one talked to,
Alvarez agreed to a contract before, at or after midnight Aug. 15 — the
signing deadline — but he actually didn’t officially sign his four-year,
$6,355,000 deal until late September. However, all seems well now. Alvarez
seems to be a perfect fit for lefty-friendly PNC Park. It’s possible Alvarez
will be a September call-up this season and ready to compete for a regular job
in 2010.
2007 Top Pick — Daniel Moskos, LHP, Clemson
Drafted as a reliever instead of as a starter, Moskos made 20 starts for
advanced Class A Lynchburg last season in an effort to develop more pitches.
2006 Top Pick — Brad Lincoln, RHP, Houston
Missed all of 2007 because of reconstructive elbow surgery but did make 19
starts in Class A in 2008.
2005 Top Pick — Andrew McCutchen, CF, Fort Meade (Fla.) High School
Possible member of the 2009 Opening Day roster.
2004 Top Pick — Neil Walker, 3B, Pine-Richland (Pa.) High School
Hit .242 in Class AA in ’08; future will be impacted by Pedro Alvarez’
development.
2003 Top Pick — Paul Maholm, LHP, Mississippi State
Reached major leagues to stay late in 2005 season and should be Pirates’
Opening Day starter in 2009.
Other Prospects (age on Opening Day)
CF Jose Tabata (20)
Acquired from the New York Yankees in July and could compete for a major league
job in 2010.
SS Brian Friday (23)
Should play in Class AA in 2009 and could be Jack Wilson’s successor in ’10.
RHP Jeff Sues (25)
72 Ks in 64.1 IP (Lynchburg/Altoona); could be a closer.
RHP Bryan Morris (22)
“The sky could be the limit for this kid,” says Danny Darwin, Morris’
pitching coach in the Los Angeles Dodgers system.
2B Jim Negrych (24)
A .359 average in stops in Lynchburg and Altoona is difficult to ignore.
Statistician
7–21 >> Pirates’ record in August following the late July trades of Jason
Bay, Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte.
14 >> Consecutive games in which the Pirates committed at least one error
(April 2-16). It was the longest such streak by the Pirates since
a 15-gamer in 1946 (June 2-16).
14 >> Two-out runs the Pirates scored in a 15–8 win against Los Angeles
Sept. 17. Included in that total were all eight runs in the
seventh inning.
1–14 >> Pirates’ record against Milwaukee last season, including a streak of
12 consecutive losses.
50–2 >> Pirates’ record in 2008 when leading after seven innings. That was
the best such record in the National League.
.276 >> Pirates’ batting average with runners in scoring position, second in
the National League to the Chicago Cubs (.278). It was the Pirates’
highest RISP average since they hit .290 in 1976.
.238 >> Pirates’ batting average in August.
Difference Maker
When a team is trying to improve significantly from a 95-loss season, it’s
difficult to say that one player can have a huge impact. However, the 2009
Pirates aren’t so much about this season as they are about the next two
seasons — and that’s where Tom Gorzelanny enters in. The lefthander was 14–
10 with a 3.88 ERA in 2007 and figured to continue to establish himself last
season. Instead, he was 6–9 with a 6.66 ERA and spent seven weeks with Class
AAA Indianapolis trying to regroup. If he can actually get it together this
season, the Pirates will add a bit of optimism looking to 2010.
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