Pittsburgh Pirates: Assessing Position Players For The Second Half

Second Base

Jul 20, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman

(18) throws to first base to record the final out against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Neil Walker has made this position a non-issue so not much to say in this intro. I am going to include Josh Harrison in this position since he filled in during Walker’s injury and he has worn just about every glove in existence.

Josh Harrison– Harrison is not exactly your average bench player in fact Clint Hurdle has no idea where to put him. Since his diving grab at Yankee Stadium, Harrison has been a completely different hitter. Like Tony Watson, the trip to Minnesota says all you need to know. Harrison was on the bubble of not even making the Opening Day roster but has turned doubters into believers. After May 2, Harrison was a .208 hitter but he hit .317 in May and June. While he has fallen off the pace in July, this should not come as much of a surprise as the league is finally starting to figure out Harrison. Now the ball is in his court to rectify this and you know how much he loves proving people wrong. Grade A

Neil Walker– Okay so the WAR is down quite a bit from last season, but I am pleased with Walker’s play. Yes, Walker hit .235 in April and dipped again after missing 14 games, but he has responded in a great way. The power is up and so is the confidence. Had Walker not missed time, he would have been joining the Pirates trio in Minnesota. If Martin is not given a new contract, then Walker needs to be extended. Grade A-