How Pirates Position Battles Shape Up Two Weeks Before Opener (+)
Don’t look now, but there are only two weeks until Opening Day when the Pittsburgh Pirates travel to Great American Ballpark to face the Cincinnati Reds on March 30.
The date is quickly approaching and the Pirates still have several key roster decisions to make in the next 14 days.
Last week, we highlighted the position battles and roster decisions facing the Pirates. One week later, and there has hardly been any movement in one form or another. The bulk of the named still remain in the mix and there hasn’t been much separation.
Among what the Pirates still have to decide include — the starting second baseman, the backup catcher, who will make up the bench and who will fill out the rest of the bullpen.
Let’s examine.
Second Base
To put it bluntly, none of the Pirates’ four main options for second base have performed well so far this spring. It will be a big two weeks four all four players in the mix. The quartet are all in mix for a bench spot as well.
Backup Catcher
Heineman may be fading in this competition but neither Delay not Plawecki has been able to do enough to separate themselves from the pack. As a veteran, Plawecki may have the inside track as of now.
Bench Bats
Outfielder Ryan Vilade was reassigned to minor league camp by the Pirates but all of the other options remain. In the infield, Owings and Maggi have impressed the most while Swaggerty and Smith-Njigba have looked good in the outfield.
Bullpen
Colin Selby and Caleb Smith have been subtracted from the mix but there is still a handful of options competing. There are several spots up for grabs behind David Bednar, Wil Crowe, Duane Underwood Jr. and Chase De Jong.