Pittsburgh Pirates: News And More Across The National League Central
By Larry Snyder
The Pittsburgh Pirates obtained Hunter Morris, 26, from the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday in a trade for a player to be named.
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The 6-foot-2, 230-pound first baseman bats left, throws right, and was a fourth-round Draft pick by the Brew Crew in 2010. The Huntsville, Alabama native spent most of last season with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League. He hit .279 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs in 91 contests.
Morris had it rough the last two Spring Trainings with the Brewers as he went 3-for-26 in 2013 and 3-for-18 in 2014. Another setback was being hit by a pitch last June and breaking the ulna bone in his right wrist.
It should be noted that Morris, who was not part of Milwaukee’s 40-man roster, is not on Pittsburgh’s 40-man roll. What is expected is that he should be the starting first baseman for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians and give the Pirates options this summer.
Let’s check out the rest of the National League Central Division to see what the Bucs’ opponents are up to as they wind down Spring Training on the Cactus and Grapefruit circuits.
Dan Schmelzer from Cubbies Crib points out that the Wrigley Field crew will open the season with three catchers on the 25-man roster.
The Blog Red Machine‘s Sean Couch examines what the release of left-hander Paul Maholm means for Cincinnati.
Kyle Lesniewski at Reviewing The Brew reviews the Opening Day roster as Milwaukee’s 25-man team comes into focus.
Over at Redbird Rants, Rodney Davis takes a long, hard look at just how good is the St. Louis Cardinals pitching rotation.
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Time to grab our spyglass again to take a look at what people are saying about Clint Hurdle‘s crew this week.
Rumbunter‘s Tyler Waite has his eye on who might get the last spots in the Pirates bullpen coming out of Bradenton.
Meanwhile, Jason Rollison at Rumbunter feels that Pedro Alvarez does deserve a shot at batting fourth in the clean-up spot.
The staff at Forbes To Federal runs down the Strengths and Weaknesses across the board in the National League Central.
Tim Williams from the Pirates Prospects blog has an injury update on the walking wounded for the Pirates.
David Todd at Bucs Dugout on SB Nation has some thoughts on the Bucs’ final overall roster spots.
From the Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke blog, Pat Lackey asserts that Starling Marte does not need to break out to be good in 2015 because he is already there.
From The Clipboard: Left-hander Clayton Richard, 31, decided not to exercise his opt-out clause in his Minor League contract Wednesday, and will remain with the Pirates in extended spring training.
The 6-foot-5, 245-pound southpaw wants to continue working with Bucs pitching coach Ray Searage and Jim Benedict. The Lafayette, Indiana native was drafted in the eighth round by the Chicago White Sox in the 2005 Draft. He was a two-time 14-game winner with the San Diego Padres.
Richard has allowed four runs, three of which were earned, in 8 2/3 innings in four Grapefruit League appearances. He put up two walks, seven strikeouts, and 1.50 WHIP.