MLB 2010 Season Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates
You know the saying, “Save the best for last”?
What about the “Finish the worst first”?
No? While maybe not as catchy, it certainly applies to our first installment of FansEdge’ 2010 Major League Baseball Preview – and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Sure, Pittsburgh didn’t have the worst record in baseball, (beating out the Washington Nationals by three less defeats) but they have been – by far – the worst team in MLB for nearly two decades. The last time the Pirates boasted a winning record I was studying simple addition and Barry Bonds hadn’t yet begun studying “the Clear”, allegedly.
A lot has changed since 1992 – see home run records – but one thing remains a constant: Pittsburgh finishing at or near the bottom of the National League Central Division.
But it’s 2010. New decade. New personnel. And a new era, right?
That’s what the Pirates front office hopes for, at least. Some would call 2009 a rebuilding season for the Pirates; I call it a season of purging.
2010 features yet another injection of youth, and this time they may have actually gotten it right.
Out: Nate McLouth, Freddy Sanchez, Nyjer Morgan and Jack Wilson. In: Lastings Milledge (24 years old), Ronny Cedeno (26), Andy LaRoche (26) and Andrew McCutchen (23).
Speed and defense.
That will be third-year manager John Russell’s calling card if his team takes the next step – and is actually acknowledged by the rest of its division.
And it starts in center field. McCutchen, Pittsburgh’s top prospect, lived up to the hype in his rookie season, finishing second among position players in the Rookie of the Year voting. Displaying tremendous speed (22 stolen bases) and modest power (12 home runs) in just over 400 at-bats, McCutchen has an opportunity to resurrect a once-proud franchise.
He is joined by a number of disappointing prospects intent on fulfilling their potential with a new team. Former cast-offs like Milledge, Cededno and LaRoche have been given another chance to resurrect their still young careers in a more relaxed environment.
Unfortunately, you’re not going anywhere in baseball without pitching…and there’s a reason I’ve waited this long to address the rotation situation. The Pirates are anchored by Zack Duke and Paul Maholm, and boast a band of young talent. Sound familiar?
But youthful exuberance rarely beats good hitting, and with 11 victories leading the staff last season, someone needs to grasp the “Ace” title for this team to have any chance of competing with the likes of the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.
Predictions:
Team MVP: Andrew McCutchen. Who else? The Pirates’ best prospect since Barry Bonds had a tremendous rookie campaign, highlighted by a 3-HR game. With a full season ahead, I expect a similar batting average with improved power and speed numbers: .280/19 HRs/71 RBIs/29 SBs
X-Factor: Pedro Alvarez. You may not have heard of him…but you will. The only Pirate with more potential than McCutchen may be Alvarez. The 2nd pick of the 2008 MLB Draft, Alvarez packs tremendous power at the plate, hitting 27 HRs in the minors last season. Just 22, expect him to amass even greater power and anticipate a September call-up, at the latest.
Bottom Line: Pittsburgh will improve…but don’t expect to be singing “We are family” just yet. They are still 2-3 seasons away from making any real noise – assuming they can hold on to everyone.
W-L: 71-91.
Hey…there’s always Steelers offseason.
January 27th, 2010 at 8:18 am
Dont sleep on the pirates…I’ve got them finishing at a respectable 4th in the division. And as for Alvarez…he’s got promise for sure, but I’m pretty sure he’s also a 20 year old married to a 35 year old so…….Red Flag City.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Time for an early Mardi Gras in Miami. The colts perhaps have the past experiences, but the Saints possess a better quality offense than anything the colts have encountered in a long time. The Saints defense has also picked it up a notch. Manning is a fantastic quarterback however even he is often flustered should you smack him frequently enough. I can not wait for New Orleans having a Lombardi Trophy!
January 31st, 2010 at 9:33 pm
I can not wait to watch this game! The saints should be capable of put up a bundle of points against the colts. New Orleans obviously seems to be a team of desitiny. The defense has unquestionably picked it up for the post season. There aren’t many questions concerning the offense. Time to welcome the Lombardi Trophy to the Big Easy!
February 1st, 2010 at 3:32 pm
People ragged on the Pirates last year as they traded guys like Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez, and Nyjel Morgan, but they needed to do it to get better in the future. Steady vets like Wilson and Sanchez are not going to help this team crack .500 any time in the next few seasons. They needed to roll the dice and bringing together a crop of young talent all at the same time, like the Twins did in 2001-2002 and like the Rays did in 2008.
My favorite players who played for the Pirates in my lifetime: Pat Mears, Jose Lindo, and Jeff Reboulet – and I couldn’t even really pick Lindo out of a line up, I just a had a baseball card of his when I about 7 that I liked a lot.
August 27th, 2010 at 4:03 am
Who else is excited to view the barclays golf event and Tiger doing awesome right now?
September 15th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Pop in tiger woods and then I'll spank all y'all, a bad round for me in t woods for 18 holes is 49-50. No biggie
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