While some teams are playing games in late August and September that matter in a pennant race, the Pittsburgh Pirates are playing games that matter for a much different reason.
Even though I personally hate the goal, a run at finishing .500 would be a nice achievement for this current Pirates team.
However, as individuals, there is even more for these guys to play for. While stars like Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker and Jose Tabata are locks to be in the 2012 opening day lineup, others may need a strong finish to the 2011 season and a solid spring training to be wearing a Pirates uniform next season.
For this group of guys, almost every game and every at bat matters the rest of the season.
The Bucs are a 6 game over .500 team when Harrison is in the starting lineup /
Josh Harrison
Harrison is another young Bucco that has done some nice things in the limited looks he’s received.
He’s made some things happen with his legs and has come through with his share of big hits. Similar to d’Arnaud though, he could be better defensively.
Unlike d’Arnaud though, there likely isn’t an everyday spot next season for Harrison, but a strong showing the rest of the season could go a long way to landing a bench position in 2012.
Brandon Wood
Speaking of bench guys, Wood has proven to be a valuable pickup from general manager Neal Huntington.
He’s a guy that has shown the ability to play all over the diamond and field each position rather well. Wood also offers up a little pop with the bat and should be a guy the Bucs bring back in 2012 as a bench guy.
A solid final five weeks from Wood could make that decision a no-brainer.
Xavier Paul
Paul is likely a guy that’s on the fringe for next season, but has done enough good things to throw his name in the mix.
He’s a good defensive outfielder with good speed and has hit the ball well at times.
Down the stretch though, you would like to see him come through as a pinch hitter more often, something he hasn’t had great success doing.
Michael McKenry
You get what you get with McKenry. He will do an above average job behind the dish and the little you get from his bat you have to take.
Much of McKenry’s future is tied to what the Pirates do with both Chris Snyder and Ryan Doumit in the offseason.
Getting by with the light hitting defensive catcher is easy on a team that scores runs. It’s much more difficult on the Pirates.
If anything, McKenry should serve as the backup catcher in 2012. He would be as good of a number two catcher as the Bucs have had in years.
