In a matter of hours, Chris Boothceck will take to the mound for your Buccos to begin the exhibition season (can you feel the excitement kids, Chris Boothceck!)
Anyway, with the spring training games beginning this afternoon at 1 p.m. (WPGB-FM 104.7), it's time to take a look at some potential spring training battles as the games wear on this spring. There isn't a ton of turnover from the end of last season (sadly), so many of the names will be the same. Still, there are a couple of position battles ready to play out between now and opening day April 6 in St. Louis.
Let's start first with the locks. Here are the guys virtually guaranteed to be on the 25-man roster to begin the season barring trades or injuries:
Catcher - Ryan Doumit
Infield - Adam LaRoche (1st base), Freddy Sanchez (2nd base), Jack Wilson (shortstop), Andy LaRoche (third base), Ramon Vasquez (utility).
Outfield - Nate Mclouth, Brandon Moss, Nyjer Morgan, Eric Hinske.
Starting pitchers - Paul Maholm, Ian Snell, Zach Duke, Tom Gorzelanny.
Relief pitchers - Matt Capps, Tyler Yates, John Grabow, Sean Burnett.
That's 18 of 25 spots. Here's a look at who will have a chance to fill the remaining seven position on the opening day roster.
Catcher - Either Robinzon Diaz or Jason Jamarillo. I think Jamarillo has the inside track here. He played for manager John Russell in 2007 in Class AAA and is a bit more experienced. This race is pretty even, however.
Utility - I'm not totally convinced the Pirates will add another infielder just for the sake of adding one. Since Vasquez can play three infield positions and Hinske can play two corner infield and outfield positions, the Pirates have some flexibility for this role. It could be infielders Brian Bixler or Luis Cruz, or an extra outfielder like Steve Pearce, Craig Monroe or even Andrew McCutchen if one of those three do not win the job for the fifth outfielder's spot. The early bet here Cruz, provided he gets healthy after sustaining a hip injury Tuesday.
Outfield - If Monroe impresses, I have a feeling it's his job to lose. Pearce will need to show A LOT to make the rosterand I think the club is convinced that McCutchen will need a bit more time at Class AAA before he arrives in Pittsburgh later this season.
Starting pitcher - Though there are six guys up for this spot, my money is on either Ross Ohlendorf or Jeff Karstens. The loser of that battle will head to the bullpen and look for the rest (Jason Davis, Jimmy Barthmaier, Phil Dumatrait, Daniel McCutchen) to wind up in Class AAA.
Relief pitchers - Either Ohlendorf or Karstens will take up one spot. I have a hunch Rule Five pick Donnie Veal will win the second. That leaves Romulo Sanchez, Ronald Uviedo, Juan Mateo, Craig Hansen, Evan Meek and Jesse Chavez likely battling for the final position.
Enjoy the games and if you have any different opinions, pass them along and lets discuss. It should be an interesting spring.
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I agree with most of your roster choices. However, I think whoever loses out of Ohlendorf and Karstens would go to AAA to start. I think Hansen will stick. Isn't he out of options? Dumatrait can only go to AAA if he is on a rehab assignment/DL or he clears waivers.
ReplyDeleteI know he isn't on the 40 man, but I'd rather see Andy Phillips make the team over Luis Cruz.
Finally, as inevitably happens, one or more players will end up on the DL to start the season.
Either Ohlendorf or Karstens could head back to Class AAA and yes, with injuries, whoever loses out will likely start at some point during the season anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a longshot for Andy Phillips, though stranger things have happened. Remember, Eric Hinske was a non-roster invite for Tampa Bay last season.
The club also might take a chance on Dumatrait clearing waivers considering his recent health history. They could wait until the last week to make that determination and, when 100 other guys are getting cut, hope that Dumatrait slips through the cracks.
Thanks for reading and please comment again soon.