The final days of spring…

Spring training is officially over, and the regular season is upon us.  An improved Pittsburgh Pirates squad will begin their 2007 journey tomorrow at Houston, hoping to turn things around after a disastrous year.

It probably isn’t what the fans want to hear, but this season figures to be more of the same for the Pirates…rebuilding.  Spring training meant mixed results for the troubled franchise, and several questions have yet to be answered.

Scary Stuff

Though statistics don’t have much merit in March, a closer look at the at spring numbers can provide a glimpse of the upcoming season.  For some of the Pirates, it may be time to hit the panic button.

Chris Duffy, CF & projected leadoff hitter - If anyone needed to have a strong showing this spring, it was Duffy.  The speedy outfielder was impressive in his rookie season, carrying a .341 batting average in 39 games.  His quick start earned him an everyday spot in the lineup as the leadoff hitter.  But things got ugly in 2006, as Duffy struggled mightily.  At one point, he was demoted to the minors…and it appeared that he might not make it back.

Duffy played fairly well in the second half of last season, but has been awful this spring.  His batting average has dipped below .200, and the Pirates desperately need a consistent table-setter at the top of the lineup.  With last year’s batting champ Freddy Sanchez starting the season on the disabled list, Pittsburgh will need Duffy to produce early.  If he doesn’t get off to a quick start, expect manager Jim Tracy to look for other options in centerfield.

Jose Bautista, 3B - After infielder Jose Castillo landed in Jim Tracy’s doghouse, Freddy Sanchez was moved to 2nd base to allow Bautista to become the starting 3rd baseman.  But of all the projected starters, Jose Bautista struggled the most this spring.  With a .182 batting average and no home runs, it appears that his everyday role is still up in the air.  For the time being, Jose Castillo will be starting for the injured Freddy Sanchez at 2nd…and unless Bautista turns it around in a hurry, he may be headed for the bench again.

Think Positive

It isn’t all bad news in Pirates camp.  Other than Freddy Sanchez (DL), most of the starting position players are ready to go.

Adam LaRoche, 1B - There are high hopes for the newly-acquired slugger, and so far…so good.  He hit just below .300 for the month of March, and also added half a dozen extra-base hits in 54 at-bats.  To say that the Pirates need his left-handed bat is more than an understatement.

Jack Wilson, SS - After slimming down a bit to focus on speed and defensive range, Wilson appears much more comfortable at the plate.  Don’t expect much in the power department, but by hitting .321 this spring…he looks more like the player that collected 200 hits in 2004.

Ronny Paulino, C - Following a stellar rookie campaign, Paulino has been the hottest hitter in camp.  He has shown flashes of power by belting 4 home runs, and is hitting an unbelievable .481 this spring.

All Dressed Up, and No Place To Go

The Spring Surprise has to be hefty slugger Brad Eldred.  The 275 pound 1st baseman was the odd man out after the Pirates landed Adam LaRoche, but Eldred has been too good to leave off the roster.  With 6 home runs and a .303 batting average, his potential may have Jim Tracy rethinking the lineup.  They have already experimented with Eldred in right field, and he could earn some serious playing time if either Duffy or Nady begin to falter.

Pitch Hunt

If the Pirates have any chance of staying out of the NL Central cellar, the pitching staff must exceed expectations.  The inexperienced staff still has a lot to prove, and things aren’t looking too promising.

Zach Duke, SP - The opening day starter hasn’t been the same since Jim Tracy decided to tinker with his delivery prior to the 2006 season.  The pinpoint accuracy he displayed during his rookie season is nowhere to be found, and he has been rocked harder than Paris Hilton on a routine Friday night.  The good news is that he is still young, and has time to develop.  Only time will tell if Duke can emerge as the staff ace he once appeared to be.

Tom Gorzellany, SP - Here is another young lefty with solid potential.  Gorzellany had perhaps the oddest spring stat-line, averaging close to one strikeout per inning…and a 7.96 ERA.

Ian Snell, SP - If there is such a thing as a “back-up ace”, then Snell is it.  He is one of the few Pittsburgh pitchers that looked sharp this spring, with solid strikeout totals and a 3.00 ERA.

The Bullpen - One of the reasons that the Pirates were willing to pull the trigger on the Mike Gonzalez trade was the depth of their bullpen.  However, if spring is any indication…there could be some serious late-inning trouble all year long.  Salomon Torres was penciled in to take over the closer duties, but a terrible spring may have Tracy looking elsewhere.

Bringing It All Together

Though there were some good signs, it figures to be another long year of rebuilding in Pittsburgh.  Offensively, the combination of Bay, LaRoche, and Sanchez should add a few more wins…but that won’t happen unless the pitching staff comes together.  The best the team can hope for is to hold on to their building blocks…and wait another year or two.