Skepticism would be a good way to describe how fans feel about Jeff Locke projecting to be a part of this season’s Pittsburgh Pirates pitching rotation.
Locke did himself no favors allowing four runs in his two innings of a 10-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage has worked with Locke to try to correct things which could allow him to find more consistent success and this could very well be a byproduct of making the adjustment.
It also could be the same old Locke which would bring the Pirates offseason improvements or on paper lackthereof to the starting pitching once again into question.
Jaso first base adjustment continues
It is no secret that the Pirates want John Jaso to succeed at first base.
As was the case with Pedro Alvarez last season, the Pirates are making a defensive position change and trying to teach a player who has the inside track at a starting job.
This did not pan out last year as Alvarez was a defensive liability. Jaso had a step backwards in the first two innings alone.
Locke attempted a pickoff throw to first but Jaso then threw the ball into left field for an error. Later, when Pedro Florimon attempted to throw to first base for a double play, Jaso could not adjust to the low throw.
Jaso has been on the Pirates radar for some time now and the team wants him to start most of the season at first base.
He signed a two year $8 million contact with the Pirates on Dec. 23.
Bullpen inconsistencies
It was a day of positives and negatives for Pirates pitching.
After A.J. Schugel pitched a scoreless third inning, Juan Nicasio did the same but had a more dramatic flair in getting the job done.
Nicasio, who could make the Pirates bullpen as a long reliever or serve as a depth starter walked two batters and struck out one. His outing ended when he got a double play.
It was expected that Nicasio would pitch the fifth inning as well but Mark Melancon ended up with that honor and struck out a batter in his scoreless inning of work.
Jared Hughes stepped out for the sixth inning and allowed a run on two hits. 2014 was a breakout season for Hughes and he fared even better a season later. This was his first Spring Training outing of 2016.
Spring Training was where Arquimedes Caminero earned his spot with the Pirates. He found his strikeout pitch last year and did so again punching out two batters. He did allow a hit and a walk in his outing as well but no runs scored.
The eighth inning is one Eric O’Flaherty wants to forget. The non-roster invitee allowed five runs, one of which was earned on three hits. His past experience in addition to being a left-handed reliever give him a realistic chance of making the Pirates.
Jorge Robdon and Daniel Bard combined to pitch a scoreless ninth inning.
Up Next
The Pirates will have their second consecutive game at McKechnie Field when they face the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. Jonathon Niese will pitch for the Pirates against Gavin Floyd. Ryan Vogelsong, Mark Melancon, Tony Watson, Guido Knudson and Kelvin Marte are each scheduled to pitch for the Pirates.
Listeners of the 93.7 The Fan broadcast will get to hear the familiar voice of Mike “Doc” Emrick who will call a few innings of the action. Emrick is a Pirates fan who has been known to make a reference to the team in practically all of his nationally televised hockey broadcasts.
Photo credit: @Pirates
