The start of the Pittsburgh Pirates regular season is three days away
which means it is time for my yearly staff previews of the team to begin
The 2019 Major League Baseball season is quickly
approaching. The Pittsburgh Pirates will be facing off against the Cincinnati
Reds on Thursday, March 28th, at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. They
will have an off-day that Friday and will finish the series on Sunday.
The Pirates surprised a lot of people around the sport
following the 2018 regular season with an 82-79 record. Most believed that they
would finish at the bottom of the very competitive NL Central. Also, GM Neal
Huntington made some uncharacteristic moves at the 2018 trade deadline by
adding Chris Archer and Keone Kela.
With the losses of Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison to the Detroit Tigers,
it opens the door for Erik Gonzalez and Adam Frazier to play every day.
Gonzalez provides the middle infield with spectacular defense. Jung Ho Kang is
returning to the team after being away since the 2016 season and he immediately
gives the Pirates more power that they desperately need.
So, let’s get into some predictions for the 2019 Pirates.
Beginning with who will be the teams CY Young winner.
TEAM CY YOUNG WINNER – JAMESON TAILLON
A rotation that is one of the best in baseball is headed
by Jameson Taillon. After producing a strong
stat line in 2018, he looks to take the next step and become one of the NL’s
best in 2019.
Taillon didn’t join the Major League team until half way
through the 2016 season and unfortunately missed some time in 2017 due to
testicular cancer. So, in 2019 he aims to be healthy and productive much like
he was last season.
With a rotation that includes, Chris Archer, Trevor Williams, and Joe Musgrove, Taillon will get the nod on
Opening Day in Cincinnati. In 191 innings pitched last season, he posted a 3.20
ERA, 3.46 FIP, and a 1.178 WHIP. All very impressive numbers and he still
hasn’t reached his full potential yet.
Taillon has a good chance to make a run at the NL Cy Young
Award this season, let alone the teams Cy Young. He has proved time and time
again to be able to go against the best hitters in the league. Being in the NL
Central, it isn’t exactly easy being a pitcher as well. With the Cardinals
addition of Paul Goldschmidt, the division gets even
more studded with accomplished hitters.
TEAM MVP – JOSH BELL
The 2019 campaign is a very important one for the Pirates
first basemen. Josh Bell has flashed raw power at the
plate in the 2017 season with 26 homers. Last season his power numbers dropped
off with only 12. His power will be needed as the Pirates finished in the
bottom half of the league in home runs a year ago.
Bell won’t always hit for a tremendous average, but he will
consistently hover around .260. His ability to produce runs is there and if he
can gain is confidence back this season, we are looking at a stud of a hitter.
He is an outfielder by trade, but a log jam of talent in the
outfield for the Pirates gave them the option of transitioning Bell to first
base. No, he isn’t the best defensive first basemen in the world, but it can be
tolerable if his bat can stay hot. Bell looks to increase his power numbers
such as slugging percentage (.411 last season) and OPS (.768 last season). This
is imperative for the team if they would like to make a realistic run at the
postseason.
With the surplus of first basemen in the NL Central such as, Joey Votto, Goldschmidt, and Anthony Rizzo, it will be a tall task to
get an all-star nod for Bell. There is still a good possibility that it could
happen if his numbers look more like they did in 2017 or a down year from any
of the other first basemen in the division.
TEAM ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – MITCH KELLER
The Pirates don’t have much rookie fire power that will be
starting the season with the club, so my choice for their best rookie would
be Mitch Keller. A top pitching prospect in
baseball that has a legitimate chance to get the call to Pittsburgh this
summer.
With the Pirates quest in finding a 5th starter in the
rotation, Keller could find his way in that spot by June. As of right now it is
looking as if Jordan Lyles has the upper hand in
winning that spot, but with his track record he is more of a bullpen arm. Nick Kingham has had flashes of
decency at the big league level last year, but he obviously has room to
improve.
Keller did struggle this spring to the tune of a 22.50 ERA
in 4 innings pitched. He gave up a lot of hard contact as well as home runs. At
AAA he boasted a 4.82 ERA in 10 games started last season as well. There is an
obvious need for him to go back to Indianapolis and put in more time there to
grow before he is called up.
I believe that he will be needed much earlier than expected
due to the uncertainty of the Pirates 5th starter position. Unless they sign a
guy like Dallas Keuchel, or Lyles and/or Nick
Kingham can shine, it looks like Keller’s arrival is closer than expected.
PREDICTING THE 2019 RECORD
The Pirates have a starting rotation that is arguably the
best in the NL. If they can get great starting pitching day in and day out, the
offense won’t have to produce excessively every game. I do believe that Josh
Bell will have a break out season as well as Adam Frazier. As long as they can
produce more long balls, they will win games.
This team struggled mightily with hitting homers a season
ago, but they have potential of being a top power hitting club in the league.
Guys like Kang, Bell, Gregory Polanco, and Corey Dickerson all have 30 home run
power. Marte, Moran, and Cervelli can also hit 15 out of the park. There is no
doubt that this team can produce runs, it is just a matter of living up to
their potential.
Not to mention that the bullpen has several live arms. With
the likes of Felipe Vazquez,
Kela, Kyle Crick, and Richard Rodriguez, they have a bunch of
pitchers that can make outs and force swings and misses. If this team can all
produce like they have in the past, it could be an exciting summer on the North
Shore.
Expect the Pittsburgh Pirates to post their second
consecutive winning season in 2019. The team will also compete for a postseason
berth, and it would not be a surprise to see them return to the postseason for
the first time since 2015.
2019 RECORD PREDICTION: 89-73
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