Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle: As Good Of A Team As We've Taken To Spring Training
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - It's day one of spring training for pitchers and catchers and Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle took some time to talk about expectations for his team with Starkey and Mueller.
Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington joined Starkey and Mueller back in January and said this team, on paper is the "deepest and most talented" they have had going into spring training and when Clint Hurdle was posed the same question, he said he agrees.
"I would agree with Neal," Hurdle said. "We've had those conversations from the last day of the season, that's really when the next season begins. We feel that we addressed the areas that we needed to make some improvements in. We continued to find ways to create depth on the starting rotation. We were able to add to the bullpen. We've got internally people growing up manning positions. Our position player pool is as solid as its ever been."
One aspect of this team that will go a long ways in helping them surpass expectations and out perform what they did last year is third baseman Josh Harrison.
Harrison was the biggest surprise of the year hitting .315 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI while anchoring the top of the teams lineup.
Many are wondering if Harrison will be able to replicate those numbers since it was the first time in his career he put up that type of production in an everyday role. Hurdle is not one of those people as he talked about the confidence he has in Harrison.
"He's well aware of the fact that there's probably going to be a lot of street noise and people wondering if he can sustain, get better or get worse. This is a man who has never backed away from a challenge. I think this is a young guy that finally sees, 'Ok, I've got a foot down, I don't want to sustain this, I want to work to get it improved and get better.' I do believe it's sustainable, I believe in the young man and his work ethic and his commitment."
A question mark heading into this year though is Korean infielder Jung-ho Kang. Hurdle told Starkey and Mueller that he has watched a lot of tape on the versatile Korean star and shared with us the teams plans for him.
"We're definitely going to rep him at shortstop; we want to see what he can bring at shortstop here," Hurdle said. "We'll find an opportunity also to work him at third base. Those two workable, obviously second base is going to be an option. We signed this guy to become an everyday player. We've got to figure out the transition with him one day at a time."
Finally, and quite possibly the most important aspect of this year's team is Pedro Alvarez and his transition to first base.
Hurdle talked about what the up and down play of Alvarez last year, what he did this off-season to get ready for his transition from third base to first and his frame of mind heading into what could be a make or break season when it comes to his future with the Pirates.
"We'll know more when he gets on the field. He's had a work routine through the off-season that has been solid and consistent. He understands the best opportunity for our club to be the best it can be is with him at first base. He understands the importance of his position defensively also understands the importance of his role in the lineup."
Click the audio link below to hear more from Hurdle as he also talked about the depth on his teams roster and the 15-pounds of muscle outfielder Gregory Polanco has put on for his first full season as a major leaguer.
