PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates have their first Spring Training off day on Monday, so let’s evaluate and likely overreact to the first eight games.
The Pirates have already won more Spring Training games this year than they did before Grapefruit League play stopped in the second week of March last year.
“Spring Training record does not matter,” manager Derek Shelton admitted. “It is nice that we won more than three games.”
“I think our guys are getting better and paying attention to detail. Definitely winning some games and being in games where you are doing things right helps it.”
Positives
Gregory Polanco
He could be on this list for stealing a base with a perfect pop-up slide and no injury. Polanco is aggressive through his first 11 at bats of spring with 5 hits including a pair of homers and by far the team lead with 8 RBI. He’s happy and confident and is not overthinking--see-ball, hit-ball.
KeBryan Hayes
He doesn’t appeared freaked out or too confident about expectations placed on him. The couple of interviews we’ve done with him, he’s been poised, players have discussed his communication with the entire team (where he can under COVID-19 ules). Hayes also has 5 hits in 12 at bats with 3 doubles and a triple.
Todd Frazier
Homering in his first two games. Frazier brings instant credibility as a much-needed veteran in the room. He brings a refreshing attitude to go with his 10 years of MLB experience.
CF Options
While none have stood out at the plate minus Dustin Fowler’s 3-run double on Sunday, there are options in this battle. Just before camp opened it appeared the team would rely on Anthony Alford coming back from injury or maybe Brian Reynolds moving over from left as options. Now not only those two in the mix, but the late free agent signing of Brian Goodwin and trade for Dustin Fowler.
Goodwin is only 1 of 8 to start, but had a 17 HR season while hitting .262 with the Angels in 2019. Obviously not playing a lot of center with LA, he has a .987 fielding percentage in 126 games in his MLB career in the middle of the outfield.
Fowler was one of the top 100 prospects in baseball just a couple of years ago and just settling into Pirates camp. The lefty-hitter spent the 2020 season at the A’s development camp. In his last full season at AAA, the 26-year-old hit 25 HR with 89 RBI and a .277 average at Las Vegas. It was in the admittedly hitter-friendly PCL. While with the Yankees, Fowler hit 13 HR in 70 games at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Relief Pitching
In search of a closer and bullpen roles, the team added former Cubs middle reliever Duane Underwood, Jr on Sunday. Already in camp a few newcomers are starting off well.
No one better than Mars Area HS grad David Bednar (acquired in the Joe Musgrove trade)-3 hitless innings with a walk and 7 strikeouts. Wil Crowe (acquired in Josh Bell trade)-3 scoreless innings with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Shea Spitzbarth (Rule 5 Draft from the Dodgers)-2 saves in 3 games allowing no runs, a hit, a walk and 4 strikeouts.
Returning relievers Kyle Crick-3 games, a hit, no runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts. Clay Holmes, back after being waived-3 innings, no runs, 2 hits, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts. Sam Howard-2 innings, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.
Negatives
Catcher Hitting
While there are veteran options behind Jacob Stallings and Michael Perez and Mark Wolters have shown brief glimpses. The top three catchers are a combined 4 for 20 this spring with a double and one RBI. Job one is to call a good game and play well defensively, but they need more offense from that group.
Colin Moran
Bucs traded Josh Bell and gave, at least in the short term, the job to Moran. He’s played good defense, but is just 1 for 9 at the plate with no RBI and 3 strikeouts. The early slow start in a couple of spring games does underscore the importance of the Frazier signing.
Injury concerns
-Adam Frazier was limited to one game, March 7, due to a groin injury. He was able to run the bases well against Baltimore Sunday and Shelton said he could play the field as early as Tuesday.
-Kevin Newman is off to a torrid start, 6 hits in 8 at bats but left the game on March 7 with left hamstring tightness. So far it’s just precautionary, but something to watch.
-Anthony Alford is progressing from off-season elbow surgery. He played his first game in center on March 6. Will see how the elbow feels after at least a couple of games off.
These are all reactions to eight Spring Training games, but there are some early positive signs before the Pirates resume exhibition games Tuesday against the Braves at 1:05. Hear it on KDKA Radio-AM (1020), FM (100.1).