This Spring Training, the Pittsburgh Pirates had a number of
opportunities for young players and veterans to make a case for the 2019
opening day roster. As Opening Day approaches, Neal Huntington and Clint Hurdle
will have to make a few tough decisions.
There was plenty of competition this Spring for the Pittsburgh Pirates and their
players, and with any competition there are always winners and losers. As
Opening Day approaches, there are still a lot of question marks that the
Pirates will need to answer in-season with how they play the game. Who will be
the fifth starting pitcher? Will Jung ho
Kang return to form? What will the bench look like? Who’s
in the bullpen?
These were the same questions being asked in October as the
Pirates watched the post-season once again from the comfort of their couches.
Neal Huntington seemed to answer some of these questions by crowning Kang as
the Opening Day third-baseman and athletic infielder Erik Gonzalez as
the starting shortstop.
Questions still remain for both the bench and the bullpen.
So, in order to figure this mess out, let’s take a look at who the winners and
losers are for the Pirates this spring as we preview the 2019 campaign. I’ve
only included in this list those players who certainly had a clear path to the
big leagues and excluded players like Mitch Keller and Rookie Davis who
generally weren’t expected to crack the top-25.
LOSERS
COLIN MORAN
After a merely average rookie campaign, Colin Moran entered
the Spring with higher expectations after slashing .272/.330/.411 with just 11
home runs and 54 RBIs from the hot corner and ranking among the bottom in
defensive metrics around the league. However, it was still his position to lose
and he did just that. Moran will be moved to a bench role where he will most
likely split time backing up Kang at third and Josh
Bell at first.
STEVEN BRAULT
& NICK KINGHAM
Entering the Spring, Steven
Brault and Nick
Kingham were competing with newly signed free agent
reliever Jordan Lyles for
the fifth spot in the Pirates rotation. After posting 4.32 ERA and 4.35 ERA
respectively, both Brault and Kingham failed to make enough noise take the
position away from Lyles who, despite a high ERA, had the inside track to the
position due to a mid-season adjustment that saw him improve not only his ERA,
but his FIP and K% in the second half. Expect him to be the 5th starter to
start the season.
For Kingham, who is out of options, not much is known at
this point as to what the Pirates plan to do. It seems most likely that the
Pirates will add Kingham to the pen, joining Felipe
Vazquez, Keone Kela, Richard
Rodriguez, Kyle Crick, Nick Burdi,
and Francisco
Liriano.
For Brault, who still has options, it seems likely that he
will be optioned to Triple-A. It doesn’t seem likely that Tyler
Lyons will make the roster; however, meaning the Pirates
could take an 8th reliever if necessary. Yet, with Brault’s performance to
date, it seems like a better idea to start him in the minors and go with just
7.
JOSE OSUNA
With a crowd of players in the outfield and at the corners
of the infield, the odd-man out is Jose Osuna.
He has failed to make even a whimper this spring after batting below .200 and
will certainly not make the club at the beginning of the season. For Osuna, his
time in Pittsburgh may finally be up.
TYLER LYONS
As I mentioned earlier, it is highly doubtful that the
Pirates will keep Lyons on the 25-man roster. Lyons has an 8.38 ERA this spring
and with the addition of Francisco Liriano, Lyons usage as a lefty-reliever
seems unneeded at this point.
MICHAEL FELIZ
Coming over with Moran from Houston, the strong throwing
reliever Michael Feliz
was expected to be a strong addition to the bullpen. It hasn’t worked out that
way. After a dismal 2018 campaign followed by a poor spring, Feliz has failed
to nudge his way back into the pen and will start his season in Triple-A.
WINNERS
ERIK GONZALEZ
Coming into Spring Training, Gonzalez, who has spent time in
Cleveland as a utility infielder, was given the opportunity to win the starting
shortstop position. His competition was top prospect Kevin Newman.
Due to his slick glove and athleticism, Gonzalez beat out Newman for the
position and will join Kang on what should be a very good defensive left
infield for the Buccos.
JUNG HO KANG
After being away from the game for two plus season, Kang
came into Spring Training with something to prove. After cranking 7 home runs
including a walk-off grand slam, Kang has shown that his power potential is
still there. On defense, he outperformed struggling Moran to claim third base
for the beginning part of the season.
MELKY CABRERA
After signing with the Pirates on a minor league deal, Melky Cabrera earned
a spot on the Opening Day roster. He provides versatility in the outfield,
being the best option to back Starling
Marte in center, and has proven his strong contact ability
is still there after posting a .300+ batting average this spring. Cabrera will
join Lonnie
Chisenhall and more than likely Pablo Reyes to
back the outfield before Gregory
Polanco returns.
FRANCISCO LIRIANO
Like Cabrera, Liriano returned to the Pirates on a minor
league deal with a shot at the major league roster. Liriano proved to be
reliable this spring and seems to be a better long-relief and left-handed
option when compared to Brault and Lyons.
PABLO REYES
After a hot September debut and a strong spring, Reyes has
more than earned a spot in the Pirates lineup as an every-other-day utility man
after posting an .857 OPS in Spring Training. This is the final card for the
Pirates, who will have to run with a 5-man bench that will include Reyes,
Cabrera, Moran, Newman, and Jacob
Stallings.
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