Many have wondered which of the Pittsburgh Pirates trio of outfielders is the fastest.
It was an idea tossed around at PirateFest, the annual way the team thanks fans for their support, this question was raised and it was split right down the middle.
This is a great problem to have as speed and power have led to the discussion that the Pirates outfield is the best in all of Major League Baseball.
“We’re all out there, speedsters, guys that can run down balls,” Andrew McCutchen said to Jason Dill of the Bradenton Herald “And so, ball’s hit in the air, we’ve got a good chance of catching it on either side.”
Starling Marte entered the 2014 baseball season with some job security after a six-year contract extension that allows his contract to run through 2021. Marte has been known for his throwing arm, however last year added some patience [eight more walks and seven less strikeouts in 2014] as well as some power [average up 11 points, 21 more RBI in 15 fewer at-bats].
Marte also saw his batting average against right-handed pitching improve from .254 in 2013 to .288 last season. Marte has had some inconsistencies with starting the season as evidenced by a .225 average in April last season and .243 mark in May 2013. His WAR decreased 5.5 to 5.1 last season and defensive WAR dwindled from 1.8 to 0.4. Marte’s Power Speed Number also slightly decreased from 18.57 to 18.14.
Marte’s speed has played a big factor in his game. He has 71 steals in over two seasons and reached base by error a major league leading 14 times. Marte also reached base 44 times last season getting hit by pitch. These types of numbers offset his high strikeout and low walk totals.
Now entering his third full season in the major leagues, Marte is coming into the season with plenty of momentum. Marte hit .348 with an OPS of .708 in the second half of the 2014 season and this spring is hitting 20-56, good for a .357 batting average.
McCutchen’s production is center field has been well documented. Two years ago at PirateFest, McCutchen told reporters he stated that he works on something different each season. In 2013, it was the stolen base and having the mentality that every time he attempts a steal that he feels the base is his. In 2014, he embraced he all-fields approach and became less predictable in terms of where he would hit the baseball. Nearly half of his 25 homers were not to left field, an increase from 2013’s mark of seven.
McCutchen was voted MVP in 2013 and was in consideration for the honor again last season, however missed time because of a rib fracture. This year McCutchen will likely be rested more as the team tries to keep players healthy, this may especially ring true in the early stages of the season because of McCutchen’s soreness.
In total, McCutchen played in 146 games, his lowest total since his 2009 rookie season. Despite this, McCutchen’s 25 home runs were higher than his 2013 mark and his 84 walks represented the highest total in the last three seasons. This also may be the reason why his .410 OBP was a career high and why his .952 OPS was .001 off another career high. McCutchen’s 8.2 WAR mark of 2013 fell to 6.4 last season. Defensively, McCutchen may have had the worst season in his short career. His .981 fielding percentage, 2.11 range factor and -1.1 defensive WAR are career worsts.
Regardless of what any statistics say, McCutchen has embraced a leadership role on this team and entering his seventh season will be expected to do the same in 2015.
Gregory Polanco had some struggles in his rookie season. He batted .171 against left-handed pitching, .218 in road contests, .195 in day games and .077 when the count was 0-2. Polanco’s .288 month of June turned into a .179 September. Pitchers adjusted to him and he was not able to recognize this.
In June, Polanco registered 80 at-bats. This number increased to 92 in July before the struggles came and the at-bats decreased. Come September, Polanco’s struggles coupled with Travis Snider’s hot bat, cut his at-bats to 28. Often Polanco would pinch-run for Snider in the middle of games, knowing his arm was a difference maker.
Defensively Polanco struggled early. Despite then first base coach [now he has moved to third] Rick Sofield was instructing Polanco how to handle fly balls hit off the wall, the rookie has some troubles. He had a 98.7 fielding percentage last season and a -0.8 defensive WAR.
The Pirates showed a lot of faith in Polanco by trading Snider during the off-season. In preparation for this season, Polanco skipped winter ball and put on 20 pounds. His power has increased this spring with five of his 13 hits being extra base hits.
The expectation for Polanco this season is much higher and the outfield depth this year is Corey Hart, Sean Rodriguez and potentially the winner of the final battle between Jaff Decker, Pedro Florimon and Andrew Lambo. If Florimon wins this three-way battle, Josh Harrison may end up seeing some time in the outfield as well. Willy Garcia had a good 2014 season in Double-A Altoona last season batting .271 with 18 home runs and 63 RBI. If he does well in the minors this season, a call-up may come his way.
