Pittsburgh Pirates Views and News from the Rest of the National League Central
By Larry Snyder
Take a look around. The NFL season is in the books, with the Steelers preparing for the draft.
The Pitt, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Carnegie-Mellon, and Point Park college basketball teams are all coming down the home stretch of their seasons. The Penguins continue their push through the second-half of the NHL regular season.
Forget about Punxsutawney Phil’s prognostication and let’s think warm thoughts. The first official workout for Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers and catchers is set to begin Thursday, Feb. 19. It is time to reheat the coffee in our mugs, and look around the National League Central Division to see what the Bucs’ opponents are up to with Spring Training on the horizon.
First up is a visit to the North Side of the Windy City as Nicholas D. Blazek is reporting on Cubbies Crib that new catcher Miguel Montero, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks, is embracing his new team. It was his pitch framing ability that was a big draw for the Cubs to make the deal.
Down the Ohio River, Jesse Borek of Blog Red Machine delves into the fan’s expectations of outfielder Marion Byrd because he is the only projected member of Bryan Price’s lineup who did not play for Cincy last season.
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Heading out across the Great Lakes to Wisconsin, Reviewing The Brew’s Kyle Lesniewski has his 2015 projections on what to expect from Milwaukee catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Last season, he finished fourth in MVP voting, and second in Gold Glove voting for catcher.
Across the Mississippi River, Miranda Remaklus of Redbird Rants would like to see less injury, more relaxation, and more fun for first baseman Matt Adams this season.
Now, let’s climb back aboard the Jolly Roger and see what people are saying about Clint Hurdle’s crew this week.
Leading off is Rumbunter’s Jason Rollison, who takes a look at what Gregory Polanco needs to do to move forward and be a steady contributor in the starting lineup.
The guys at Forbes To Federal examined at the end of January how NL Central squads are allocating their resources for their 25-man rosters in 2015. The league minimum for a player this summer is $507,500.
Tim Williams of Pirates Prospects reviewed what the Buccos need to do to remain contenders over the long-term. He reminds us that Pittsburgh has graduated a top 20 prospect in each of the last three years starting with outfielder Starling Marte in 2012, right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole in 2013, and Polanco in 2014.
Charlie Wilmoth at Bucs Dugout writes that the Pittsburgh pitching staff could make things in Bradenton more interesting than we might think. Do the Bucs have too many players?
That wraps it up Pirates fans. Take care and we will ascend into the crow’s nest next week to view what is going on around the NL Central.