Pittsburgh Pirates: Spring Training Information

By HyzduHQ
Location: McKechnie Field – Bradenton, FL
Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb 14th
First Game: Feb. 28th
Schedule

Projected Opening Day Lineup

1. Nate McLouth (CF)
2. Freddy Sanchez (2B)
3. Jason Bay (LF)
4. Adam LaRoche (1B)
5. Xavier Nady (RF)
6. Ronny Paulino (C)
7. Jose Bautista (3B)
8. Jack Wilson (SS)
9. Tom Gorzelanny (P)

Projected Rotation

1. Tom Gorzelanny
2. Ian Snell
3. Paul Maholm
4. Matt Morris
5. Zach Duke

Projected Bullpen

Long: Casey Fossum
Situational: Franquelis Osoria, Evan Meek, and Elmer Dessens
7th: John Grabow
8th: Damaso Marte
Closer: Matt Capps
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Key Battles: The Bucs enter this spring training having their rotation and their starting lineup essentially intact, but needing to settle on a centerfielder and fill out the bullpen and bench. There was very little action in the offseason in changing last year's team, despite attempts to the contrary. The new management is assuming that last year's team underperformed to their levels, and that they can perform better this season. It is this assumption that sets the stage for the 2008 Pittsburgh Pirates.

Barring some unforeseen trade in the spring, perhaps Xavier Nady, the lineup is set, except in centerfield. The team will allow for Nyjer Morgan and Nate McLouth to battle to see who will man center. Both played well in the fall, McLouth showing exceptional discipline at the plate and playing solid defense and Morgan having some spectacular plays in the field and impressing with his speed.

The bullpen has the back end set, with Grabow, Marte, and Capps coming back, and closing out games. It is assumed that sinkerballer Franquelis Osoria will get a spot but the rest in up in the air. There are numerous possibilities as the team has brought in many different kinds of pitchers in style, experience, and skill. Amongst the players that have a shot are Rule V pick Evan Meek, T.J. Beam, Casey Fossum, Jesse Chavez, Elmer Dessens, Marino Salas, Jonah Bayliss, Dave Davidson, and Ronald Bellisario. No matter who starts the season, it is likely to be a revolving door in the Pirates bullpen.

The players on the bench, in particular the backup catcher bring up as many questions as the bullpen. Chris Gomez and Ryan Doumit are virtual locks to be on the bench. Backing up the enigmatic Ronny Paulino will be one of the journeymen catchers, Raul Chavez or Michel Hernandez. Early indications have Chavez with a slight lead, but neither player has set themselves that much apart from each other. Expect newly acquired Ray Olmedo and local product Josh Wilson to battle for the middle infielder bench spot. If Nyjer Morgan wins the centerfield battle McLouth would fulfill a bench spot, if not management may put Morgan in AAA to get more experience, giving Kevin Thompson a shot.

What to Expect: With a new front office and field manager, there is lots of talk of things being different this upcoming season. The team on the field, though, will not be that much different from last year. Most of the battles will be in the less glamorous, but very important roles on the bench and in the bullpen. After spring training, we will quickly find out if the team did underperform last year or it was just the norm for this group of players, which will create even more and bigger questions for the future of the team.

Mike covers the Pirates' past, present, and future at Hyzdu's Headquarters.

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