Key Storylines for the Pirates this Winter

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Roger l. McNamara

A Brief Review.   It is a professional sports team with formidable challenges ahead, and much work to do. The Season recently ended marked the Pittsburgh Pirates second 100 loss campaign in succession, cementing them alongside Central Division partner Cincinnati at dead last among the 15 NL franchises and ahead of only the Oakland A’s in all Major League clubs. There seems little point here for an extended review of what may have been weaknesses, what might have gone wrong.  There are many of the former, and much in the latter.  Suffice it to note that Owner Robert Nutting and General Manager Ben Cherington will need to spin a number of right dials if Field Manager Derek Shelton is to have any hope of worthwhile improvement.  Shrewd front office management would further go a long way, not incidentally, to the continued annual push of 1.4-1.6 million ticket holders through the turnstiles. A certain history is on their side: this is a franchise with 17 Playoff appearances to its credit, in the process delivering 5 World Series Titles to the banks of the Allegheny and Monongahela.  A distinguished list of Hall of Famers both on the field and in the executive suites further stamps an impressive legacy.

Where to Begin?    Might as well start with whatever bright lights can be found, as it is for sure the Pirate 40 man roster is neither barren nor hopeless.  But it is not a roster laden with veteran mid-career talent with which to upgrade via the trade route. Any worthwhile next season advance will need rather to spring from the existing pool of youth. Some of the younger and more promising emerging talent figuring to make a dent on the 2023 varsity roster are, with a note on each man’s 2022 Pirate Season record:

• Roansy Contreras, PHP, Age 23 --- over 21 starts he logged 95 innings while yielding only 39 walks and punching out 86 Kos;  his 5-5 slate was paired with a 3.79 ERA;
• Mitch Keller, Age 26, another right handed starter, worked 169 innings marked by 69 bases on balls and 138 strikeouts.  A dozen hit batsmen point to control issues, and a dismal looking 5-12 slate did make its way atop a 3.91 ERA.  Since the team ERA came to a hefty 4.66 which left it 12th best among the 15 National League teams, both Contreras and Keller offer some hope for the future of Pirate Hill;

Little in the way of offensive run scoring pop was delivered by anyone of any age in 2022.  Team averages in batting, on base reaches and slugging each placed it dead last in the NL ---  as certain a route as any toward a 100 loss season.

Hope In The  Wings.    Expected to serve meaningful time at the Major League level in a Pirate uniform during the 2023 Season are some highly regarded prospects:   

• Right handed starting pitcher Quinn Priester, who with four different teams last year posted a 3.29 ERA while walking only 30 and fanning 89 in 90 innings of work;     
• Power hitting 21 year old Shortstop Liover Peguero, obtained several years back in a trade.   May seem young, but through the ranks of AA and AAA ball he has competed well against those mostly 2-3 years his senior.  He brings tremendous speed on the basepaths and a sure glove, strong throwing arm.  A slight tendency to get overly aggressive at bat, a common habit among the younger set, he will outgrow it if he is to have a lengthy and productive MLB career;
• His projected infield mate is 23 year old right handed hitting 2nd baseman Nick Gonzales.  The number 7 overall pick in the 2019 draft, he has worked hard under tutelage of former Pirate infielders to hone the defensive skills.  No question that his bat speed is of an elite status, his 1.765 OPS yielded the Cape Cod League 2019 MVP award. 
• It begins to look like a crowded middle infield, as 24 year old Dominican native Oneil Cruz has been favorably regarded in and out of the Pirate organization since his 2021 acquisition.  An imposing 6’7” 220 pound left handed power hitter with a canon for a throwing arm, Cruz did appear in 87 games at Shortstop with the 2022 varsity.  As is often true with talents compiling lengthy and quality major league careers, Cruz’ baptism did not go smoothly.  He mustered a skimpy .233 batting average over 361 plate appearances which, although stamped with 17 home runs and 54 driven in,  was firmly checked by a dismal blend of only 28 walks and 126 strikeouts.  Cruz will presumably report to 2023 Spring Training as the starting SS, and here is a case in which either he or Peguero could be trade bait in hopes of filling needs elsewhere on the diamond and roster. 

The Next Draft.  MLB’s next player draft is not scheduled to unfold until July 2023, but an important date in Pirate future planning arrives shortly.  Lottery allocations are  set for this coming December 6, in which the Pirates should emerge with high level early slots, contending for these with Washington Nationals and Oakland A’s.  Once secured, the front office next must decide upon actual player selection.  Accepting the possibility already mentioned, the Winter Meetings should not be viewed as obtaining strength by way of trades.  Energy should instead be focused on scouting and player draft evaluations.  Power and contact hitting outfielders are a pressing need, and although it might seem as though help is on the way at Catcher, the club would be wise to bolster its cache of behind the plate talent.  Furthermore, as wise men have often previously remarked, you can never have too much pitching.  It was legendary Earl Weaver’s advice that winning teams are forged with pitching, defense and three run homers. A strategy of selecting the best available on the boards when their turns roll around is another sensible approach for a team coming off consecutive 100 loss seasons.