Pittsburgh Pirates Report Card Through 40 Games

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Roger McNamara

The Recent Decade.   Although winning Seasons and League Playoff appearances were realized by the Pirates over three consecutive years ending 2015, the fact is that the recent 10 – 12 campaigns have not been kind to this franchise.   Apart from the playoff years only a single winning season total has been attained, but even that 82-79 mark in 2018 left the club in 4th place among 5 teams in the NL Central, 13.5 games off the pace.  Predictably, average home game attendance has cascaded down the mountain slope, from 30,846 in 2015 to 10,611 in 2021.  A slight pickup so far in 2022 still leaves the Bucs ahead of only Miami and Oakland in turnstile spins.   

Recovery Hopes.   Coming off last year’s dismal 101 loss result --- one that Pirate boosters, fans --- and sponsors --- undoubtedly strive to forget, only slight improvements were expected at Spring Training’s early April wrap up, as Manager Derek Shelton prepared for his third spin at filling out the lineup cards and setting pitching rotations. Estimates ranged from step ups in the Win column from 66 to 75 according to sites like FanGraphs. The consensus pointed to 3rd sacker and 2015 Pittsburgh first round draft selection Ke’Bryan Hayes to carry the offensive torch, capably joined by Japanese native 30 year old First Baseman Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, or simply “Yoshi,” who enters his third Pirate season.  This tandem is rated to be augmented by Daniel Vogelbach, a 29 year old First Baseman/Designated Hitter obtained over the Winter from Seattle, where his 2019 season featured 30 home runs and inclusion on the American League All-Star team.  Readers were further placed on the alert for top rated prospect Oneil Cruz a 23 year old shortstop by way of the Dominican Republic.  Pitching hopes were placed on Opening Day starter JT Brubaker, joined in the rotation by Jose Quintana with any needed bullpen help from Chris Stratton.  Longtime Allegheny County residents and Yinzers are most likely to dial in on David Bednar, a 27 year old right handed closer and local product out of Pittsburgh Mars High School, who was obtained from the San Diego Padres following the 2020 season.  He then stitched together a fine 2021 season with the Bucs, whose 24 saves landed him 8th in Rookie of the Year voting.   

How Has It Worked Out?  Now with 40 games in the books, a look at who has --- and who has not --- played up to 2022 expectations seems fitting. It may be thought of as a mid-term report card.   The Pirates stumbled to the first quarter pole by being swept at home in a 3 game set with the St. Louis Cardinals, on the short end of a humiliating 18-4 final in the series finale.  As baseball remains the only game in which the ball is put into play by the team on defense, we look first at the pitching:

JT Brubaker’s team leading nine starts have produced fewer than 43 innings, and despite a generally fine Strikeout/Walk ratio of 2.64, he totes a 4.64 ERA and 1.359 WHIP, leaving him 0-4 on the year.  Grade: C-

Southpaw Jose Quintana, by contrast, has made eight starts with 42 innings, also sporting a nifty 2.27 KO/BB ratio with 1.18 WHIP and a 1-2 won-loss slate.  He has surrendered a mere 2 home runs. He should be regarded as prime trade deadline material as the Bucs seek to strengthen the minor league system.  Grade: B+ 

Bednar has excelled, finishing 14 games in 19 relief appearances, fashioning a sparkling 0.78 ERA to go with his stingy 0.696 WHIP.  His eight Saves lead the team.  Grade: A

Hayes has delivered a .282 Batting Average, and while still in search of his first 2022 home run (and triple) he has reached base safely in 60 of 164 plate appearances, good for a .366 on-base mark.  Five stolen bases in seven attempts have also put a little spark in the team’s offense.  Grade A-

As this is written, left handed hitting Vogelbach remains on the 10 day Injured list, having put up sub-standard numbers over 34 game appearances.  Six home runs and fourteen driven in are nice enough, but 31 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 131 trips leave a hole, as does an anemic .241 average.  Grade  C-

Tied for the team lead with 15 runs driven in, Yoshi Tstutsugo’s marks seem initially promising.  But closer inspection reveals a .177 batting average paired with his on base success at only .281, lifted there by virtue of 18 walks.  Grade:  D+

Left handed bat Cruz has yet to appear in a 2022 Pirate uniform, and as he struggles at AAA Indianapolis with a .197 batting average while charged with nine fielding errors in 29 games. He will continue on with a “seasoning” process, unlikely to be soon called up.  His range in the field is at the upper end of a peer group, as advertised and expected for this gifted athlete.

Thus have the Pittsburgh Pirates begun their 136th Season as members in good standing of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs with a 16-24 mark, 9.5 games off the NL Central pace, losers of 7 of their recent 10 outings.  A negative 88 run differential --- difference between runs scored and runs allowed --- leaves them by that measure last in the National League. 

The Culprit?     Who is to blame for the franchise’s extended skid?  Some are disposed to look no further than 60 Year old Board Chairman and since 2007 Principal Owner Robert Nutting, the sixth in franchise history.  Credit is certainly due to his 2009 funding and opening of a state-of-the-art Santo Domingo training facility, aimed at the expansion of Pirate influence among Latin American top prospects.  He went on to oversee in 2007 a needed upgrade of the Pirate City Spring Train complex in Bradenton, FL which included the installation of field lights.  He purchased the Florida State League Bradenton Marauders, a Class A-Advanced club which romped home in 2016 as League Champions 

Critics nonetheless point to the  trading away of stars Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen, ostensibly cost-cutting moves earning Nutting the pejorative sobriquet of Bottom Line Bob.  Team payroll languishes, ahead of only Miami and Oakland among all 30 Major League operations. Also questioned is whether MLB Revenue Sharing funds are used as intended for player development. The MLBPA lodged a related formal grievance, but it was not heard by MLB.  We have argued that the Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County should force a payroll adjustment approaching the Major League average as a condition for a year 2030 renewal of the Pirates lease of PNC Park. 

To be determined.