Pirates Q&A: What Will Lineup and Rotation Look Like? Plus More
Welcome back to another edition of our Pittsburgh Pirates Q&A. Let’s get to your questions.
Most likely lineup Opening Day or throughout the Season? Most likely pitching rotation? – Robin White
The only real question surrounding what the Opening Day lineup will look like is whether or not Konnor Griffin will be part of it. If he is, he’ll start at shortstop as a 19-year-old. If he starts with Indianapolis, Nick Gonzales will probably start at short with Jared Triolo at third base.
But once Griffin is up, whether at the start of the year or not long after it begins, I imagine the lineup will look something like: 1. Horwitz 1B 2. Lowe 2B 3. Reynolds LF 4. O’Hearn LF 5. Ozuna DH 6. Cruz CF 7. Griffin SS 8. Triolo 3B 9. Davis C
The order could change — Cruz could be leadoff, Horwitz could slide down. I would probably flip O’Hearn and Lowe. I think the Pirates will ease Griffin into it, at least initially, but he has top of the order written all over him.
As for the starting rotation, the top four are known. It will be Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler, barring something unforeseen. The final spot in the starting rotation will go to one of José Urquidy, Mike Clevinger, Carmen Mlodzinski Hunter Barco or Thomas Harrington.
No matter who cracks the initial roster out of spring, I’m expecting Barco to get a relatively long look at some point. Jared Jones will probably be back in June, too.
IS CUTCH COMING BACK? – Penny Wiltrout
I wouldn’t count on it, Penny. If the Pirates were going to bring Andrew McCutchen back it probably would have happened already and the signing of Marcell Ozuna showed they wanted to go in a different direction.
It’s a shame, really, given all McCutchen has meant to this franchise and this city. He’s still a relatively productive player and has been adamant about playing this season. But that will probably have to come with another team.
Could the Pirates still use him? Theoretically, yes. But given his age, it’s hard to use a bench spot on essentially a DH, even if he’s able to play come occasional outfield. Based off Ben Cherington’s comments to use, the door is just about closed unless ownership decides to step in.
How has the hitting look during the first few spring games? – George Smith
It’s been a mixed bag so far, George, which is usually how it goes. Through four games, the Pirates have scored 21 runs. Ryan O’Hearn and Endy Rodríguez as well as prospects Esmerlyn Valdez and Nick Cimillo each have a home run this spring.
But remember, don’t put too much into spring statistics. The swirling winds along the Florida coast turn flyouts into homers and vice versa. Some players beat up on young pitching prospects to boost their stats but struggle against established arms.
Last spring, for example, the Pirates scored 145 runs in 30 games, an average of nearly five runs per game. That didn’t translate to the regular season, when they averaged 3.6 runs per game.
But with the additions they made, Griffin getting close and potentially better seasons from Cruz and Reynolds, I think the offense will show real improvement.
Here’s my question: Is Henry Davis the worst #1 overall pick ever other than Brien Taylor? – Dan Williamson
No, Dan, he’s not. He’s not even the worst Pirates No. 1 pick ever. They’ve had several guys not even make the big leagues and of the ones that have, some such as Chad Hermansen, John Van Benschoten and Cole Tucker didn’t pan out.
Davis, at the very least, has turned himself into a fine defensive catcher and could one day win a Gold Glove. But there’s no denying the Pirates will need more from him at the plate. Through his first 181 career games, he has a .181 batting average and a .556 OPS. For comparison, Austin Hedges (remember him?) has a career .185 batting average and a .556 OPS.
Davis’ work ethic is second to none. And he reportedly poured a lot into the offensive side of the game in the offseason. He doesn’t need to be an All-Star level hitter but he’ll need to take a significant step forward this season.
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