Top 5 Most Improved Pirates Heading Into 2015 Season
It may not seem like it, but spring is right around the corner. How do we know?
The obvious answer is that February is almost over. More importantly, Spring Training for the Pittsburgh Pirates is in full swing!
The Pirates are coming off of consecutive postseason appearances, which is prompting Bob Nutting to set high expectations for 2015.
What are those expectations?
"At the end of the season, what that means, is that we plan to win the division and then see how far we can go, and move on to win a championship for Pittsburgh again," Nutting said.
For those goals to be achieved, the Pirates' players will need to continue to improve.
KDKA-TV's Rich Walsh spent a few days in Bradenton, Florida at Spring Training with the Pirates.
Here's his top five most-improved Pittsburgh Pirates heading into the 2015 season.
No. 5 - Pedro Alvarez
2014 was an up and down year for Pedro Alvarez.
He appeared in 122 games for the Pirates and hit .231 with 18 home runs and 56 RBI. His offensive numbers took a bit of a dip from the back-to-back 30 homer seasons he enjoyed in 2012 and 2013.
On top of that, he committed 25 errors at third base, which has prompted a move to first base for 2015.
"It looks like he's getting comfortable at first base. I'm still worried about his throws across the field. I saw a few errant ones," Walsh said.
No. 4 - Andrew McCutchen
"Now, it's hard for a guy like McCutchen to get better, but I think this will be his best year yet. One big reason, he got hitched in November."
Nov. 22, 2014, was the day that made his off-season so much fun. It was the day he married his fiancée, Maria Hanslovan.
"Got married, that was the big thing," said McCutchen. "And it's been a good ride this off-season. Had a lot of fun and just enjoyed ourselves."
'Cutch' is coming off another great year. In 2014, he hit .314 with 25 home runs and 83 RBI.
He led the team in homers and RBIs and was second on the team in batting average by the smallest possible margin.
No. 3 - Josh Harrison
"Mainly because he told me he's better," Walsh said.
What a year Josh Harrison had in 2014.
In 143 games, Harrison his .315 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI to go along with 18 stolen bases.
Harrison saw time at several different positions last year and only committed six errors. In 72 games at third base, he committed just three errors and had a .984 fielding percentage.
With Alvarez moving to first base, Harrison will be the Pirates' primary third baseman. However, you might see him at other positions throughout the season depending on injuries.
No. 2 - Gerrit Cole
"After watching Cole throw close up, I would never want to catch for him. He throws crazy hard," Walsh said.
Cole started 22 games for the Pirates and posted an 11-5 record with a 3.65 ERA. He also struck out 138 while only walking 40.
2015 figures to be a big year for the big right-hander in his career.
A 2A on this list would be catcher Francisco Cervelli. Why?
"Mainly because he has to catch for Gerrit Cole," Walsh said.
No. 1 - Gregory Polanco
"Because he worked out like a maniac in the offseason. He looks like he should be playing safety for the Steelers after adding more than 20 pounds of muscle. He is my breakout player this year. I'm expecting big things," Walsh said.
The 23-year-old Pirates outfielder and projected superstar-to-be showed up to Pirate City at 235 pounds. That's 13 pounds heavier than his listed weight he entered last year at — and 23 pounds heavier than he finished the 2014 season.
Polanco broke onto the MLB scene last year and did pretty well for himself, but growing pains quickly caught up to the young outfielder.
Many Pirates officials cited fatigue as one of the reasons Polanco struggled so mightily down the stretch, and this month in a conversation with 93.7 The Fan, so did Polanco.
The Pirates forbid Polanco from participating in Winter Ball this offseason. Without playing baseball in the winter months, he channeled his energy towards a rigorous offseason workout.
In 89 games, he hit just .235 with seven home runs and 33 RBI. He also stole 14 bases over that period of time.
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