| Scott Miller's Take |
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Poor Pennsylvania, cornering the market on losing streaks of decade or more. The Pirates this season are the next closest thing to a sure bet of equaling the major league mark of 16 consecutive losing seasons. The record they will tie is held by the Phillies of 1933-1948. Things have to look up one of these decades for the Pirates, don't they? Video Outlook
Strengths
Not much on the surface, but new president Frank Coonelly and GM Neal Huntington firmly believe they have a solid foundation of young starting pitchers. Tom Gorzelanny, Ian Snell, Paul Maholm and Zach Duke don't exactly strike opposing hearts with fear, but Snell did compile a 3.68 ERA in 208 innings pitched a year ago, and Gorzelanny was 3.88 in 201 2/3. What the Pirates need to do is get Duke (5.53) turned around. Second baseman Freddy Sanchez won the NL batting title two years ago.
Weaknesses
It's pretty obvious: Just go around the diamond and match up Pirates players with those at comparable positions on each of the other NL Central clubs, and you're mostly going to choose the opponent's player. Left fielder Jason Bay is a former Rookie of the Year and made two All-Star teams but went backward last year. Whether he was simply a beaten man, his focus taken away by so much losing, or whether his skills are starting to erode, tough to tell under these conditions.
Difference Maker
Tom Gorzelanny. The Pirates are counting on young pitching, so much so that they made no personnel moves of significance this winter while the new bosses assessed the bleak situation. If that young pitching goes backward this season, it'll be time to make some people walk the plank and start over. Again.
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| Top Prospects |
| 1. |
Steve Pearce, 1B/OF |
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Tons of power and just 70 K's in 487 at-bats; he made huge strides.
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| 2. |
Andrew McCutchen, OF |
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Elite prospect whose numbers stand to improve in the majors.
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| 3. |
Neil Walker, 3B |
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Liked him better as a catcher, but still has potential down the road.
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| 4. |
Nyjer Morgan, OF |
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Showcased enough speed that he enters '08 in contention for CF job.
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| 5. |
Bryan Bullington, SP (R) |
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Injury-hit prospect had decent revival, but still has steps to take.
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Complete NL Central Prospects |
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The Pirates are counting on 2B Freddy Sanchez, the 2006 batting champ, to recover from shoulder surgery and boost the offense. (Getty Images)
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| Team Info |
2007 record: 68-94 (6th in NL Central)
Manager: John Russell, 1st year
Stadium: PNC Park (38,496; grass)
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| Lineup |
| No. | Player | Comment |
| 1. | N. McLouth, CF | Provides a blend of power and speed |
| 2. | J. Wilson, SS | Had a .356 average with eight home runs in the second half of '07 |
| 3. | F. Sanchez, 2B | His bat as recovered from shoulder surgery but his glove hasn't. Could start on the DL |
| 4. | J. Bay, LF | Was shopped this offseason but is staying and hoping for a rebound |
| 5. | A. LaRoche, 1B | Offensive numbers dropped off in his first season with the Pirates |
| 6. | X. Nady, RF | Eligible for arbitration and could eventually be dealt |
| 7. | J. Bautista, 3B | Set to begin his second full season as the team's starting third baseman |
| 8. | R. Paulino, C | R. Doumit will also get several at-bats here |
| Pitching |
| Rotation | Comment |
| 1. |
I. Snell (R) |
Gets his first opening day assignment to start his third full year |
| 2. |
T. Gorzelanny (L) |
Only other starter besides Snell who logged 200-plus innings last season |
| 3. |
P. Maholm (L) |
Hoping to take a leap forward entering his third season |
| 4. |
M. Morris (R) | At 33, he is the veteran presence in this rotation |
| 5. |
Z. Duke (L) |
Trying to rebound from elbow problems that derailed him in 2007 |
| Closer |
Comment |
| M. Capps (R) |
Was a solid closer after taking over June 1 |
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