Pittsburgh Pirates 2012 Position-by-Position Look: Second Base
By Matt Shetler
A few years back it looked like second base would be a position of weakness throughout the Pittsburgh Pirates system.
Then the Bucs gave Neil Walker a shot at the position and they’ve at least solidified the spot for the short-term.
While it’s a position that’s still not very deep throughout the organization, at least manager Clint Hurdle knows whose name he will be penciling in on most night’s.
Starter: Walker
Walker put together a decent 2011 season.
He ranked seventh among major league second basemen with both a .273 AVG and a .742 OPS. He also finished the season third among second basemen in RBI with 83 (first in NL).
Defensively Walker was third among major league second basemen with a .992 fielding percentage.
He’s been the talk of a possible contract extension, but if I were the Pirates, I’d want to see a little more from Walker before committing money.
One of my concerns is his inability to hit right-handed. Everyone has their strong side of the plate and left-handed is certainly Walker’s.
Here’s how his splits break down from both sides of the plate.
vs. RH* vs LH**
Fastballs .326 .264
Curveballs .169 .500
Sliders .274 .105
Changeups .291 .232
Other .250 .000
That’s not saying Walker won’t be a good switch hitter down the road, but he’s not there quite yet. Chipper Jones is a switch hitter. Walker is not.
He’s a gamer. Walker’s the type of guy that’s good at everything and great at nothing. Quite simply, he’s a guy Hurdle can count on.
2012 Projections: I’d look for more of the same from Walker in 2012. Solid glove guy with a decent bat. Ideally you would like to see the Pirates get some run producers in the middle of the order so Walker can be slid down to around sixth or seventh in the order, but for now he’s likely to be a middle of the order guy who’s going to be counted on to drive in runs. The thing I like the most about Walker is that he doesn’t give away at bats. ..275 AVG, 16 HR, 82 RBI
Backup: Josh Harrison
Harrison did some good things last season after his call-up and should be a good bet to make the team as a bench guy.
He’s fun to watch and hustles all the time and can add some excitement to the lineup, but he’s clearly not a guy Hurdle can run out there everyday. He’s more suited for a bench role and has a chance to do some good things as a utility guy that could see time at both second and third base.
2012 Projections: Harrison can swing the bat a little bit, but has bad plate discipline. He does make contact though, but won’t draw many walks. If he learns some patience at the plate, he could flirt with the .300 mark. .284 AVG, 1 HR, 26 RBI
Prospect to watch: Jarek Cunningham
Cunningham was continuing his climb up the Pirates’ ladder as an offensive-minded second baseman when a concussion ended his Florida State League season in July. He did return to play in the Arizona Fall League and should be able to continue moving up.
A shortstop as an amateur, Cunningham has settled in to the right side of the infield, shaking off a knee injury that cost him the 2009 season and showing some power from the right side of the plate, but he strikes out a lot.
He put up an outstanding OPS in the .900’s, but that dropped to the .650’s in June and July. The plate discipline needs to get better and the strikeouts have come at an alarming rate, but he’s got plus-power potential and is one of the better hitting prospects in the Pirates organization.
He could start the season in Altoona and has a very high ceiling, but it will be worth watching if his discipline at the plate and his glove improves along the way.
Feel free to head back and check out prior parts of the series.
Part One: Catchers
Part Two: First Basemen
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