OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Raise The Jolly Roger! 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates

GoBucsGo · 04-23-2013, 02:10 PM

2013 Roster Overview

Pitchers

Our starting rotation isn't the greatest in the Majors, not by a long shot. Led by 34 year old vet, Wandy Rodriguez, he's not really a guy I want to lean on to lead our rotation, but, that's what we have to deal with right now. Here's what the full rotation looks like..

1. Wandy Rodriguez - Went 12-13 last year pitching for the Astros and Pirates with a 3.76 ERA. We're hoping that he can get back to his 2009 form where he won 14 games and had an ERA just above 3.

2. A.J. Burnett - Clearly our best pitcher last year, going 16-10 with a 3.51 ERA. Clint Hurdle doesn't see fit to make him our number 1 starter going into the year. I can't see I agree our disagree, both are above 33 and not getting any younger. Let's hope they can even last the whole season without hitting the DL in between. Burnett only gave up 18 home runs last year, so at least we know when he's in the game he won't be prone to the long ball.

3. James McDonald - Iv'e always had a soft spot for J-Mac. He was on FIRE last year before the All-Star break, then fell off quite a bit afterward. He still finished with a respectable 12-8 record with a 4.21 ERA. I want this guy to succeed. I can see him being apart of the rotation of the future with Jameson Taillon and Gerrit Cole and Kyle McPherson down in our farm system. (More on them later)

4. Jonathan Sanchez - The number 4 guy in the rotation who, after the 2010 season has went in quite the downward spiral. Last year going 0-3 in Colorado, with a near ERA of 10, I have absolutely no confidence in Sanchez heading into this year, and why should I? It will be his job to show me he can turn it around.

5. Justin Wilson - With a few of our starting pitcher possibles starting the season on the DL, we have to turn to Justin Wilson. This will be his first real year in the bigs, after playing in 8 games for the Pirates last year, have a 1.93 ERA, he certainly shows promise. He hasn't had double digit losses in any of his years in our farm system, hopefully that translates to the MLB level.

Position Players

C: Russel Martin - Good off-season pickup for the Pirates, coming over from the New York Yankees where he hit 21 HR's with 53 RBIs. Didn't have the best average, only batting .211, we're hoping he can stay in the 20 home run range and up that average just a bit.

1B: Gaby Sanchez - Acquired last year from Miami, he's not the best option we could have at first base. His batting is sub par, his DECENT defensively, and i'm being generous in saying that. I will be looking to upgrade this postion right away if possible.

2B: Neil Walker - Pittsburgh native Neil Walker starts for us at second base, and i'm more than okay with this option. He had a decent 2012 and he's only getting better. He's a threat for power and a threat on the basepaths. Defensively, he's also improving. He could be a BIG part of our plans for the future if he keeps getting better.

3B: Pedro Alvarez - This guy finally came out of his shell in 2012. Blasting 30 home runs with with 85 RBIs and a .244 average. He has a HIGH ceiling and I can only see him getting better.

SS: Clint Barmes - Decent hitter, but an EXCELLENT defender. He knows that he's starting based exclusively on his good defensive skills. Hopefully he can surprise me and a few other people and bring his bat to the park this year.

LF: Starling Marte - What's not to like about this guy? He's amazing in the outfield, has speed through the roof, and can rake the ball with the best of them. At only 24 years old, he could be one of the best in the game in a few years if handled properly.

RF: Garrett Jones - 27 home runs with 86 RBIs last year, he's another power guy in our lineup, which is what I like, we need to score runs. If we played in the AL, he'd definitely be nothing more than a DH, because his outfield skills are bad and diminishing. I'm scratching my head as to why Jose Tabata isn't our starter here.

CF: Andrew McCutchen - The man, our MVP Candidate, our All-Star, the guy who this team will be built around. Great in the outfield, great at the plate, a gazelle on the basepaths. There's nothing this guy can't do. I'm praying that he can stay healthy, because if he goes down, this team goes down.

04-23-2013, 02:10 PM	#5
GoBucsGo Banned Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 278 Infractions: 0/2 (4)	2013 Roster Overview Pitchers Our starting rotation isn't the greatest in the Majors, not by a long shot. Led by 34 year old vet, Wandy Rodriguez, he's not really a guy I want to lean on to lead our rotation, but, that's what we have to deal with right now. Here's what the full rotation looks like.. 1. Wandy Rodriguez - Went 12-13 last year pitching for the Astros and Pirates with a 3.76 ERA. We're hoping that he can get back to his 2009 form where he won 14 games and had an ERA just above 3. 2. A.J. Burnett - Clearly our best pitcher last year, going 16-10 with a 3.51 ERA. Clint Hurdle doesn't see fit to make him our number 1 starter going into the year. I can't see I agree our disagree, both are above 33 and not getting any younger. Let's hope they can even last the whole season without hitting the DL in between. Burnett only gave up 18 home runs last year, so at least we know when he's in the game he won't be prone to the long ball. 3. James McDonald - Iv'e always had a soft spot for J-Mac. He was on FIRE last year before the All-Star break, then fell off quite a bit afterward. He still finished with a respectable 12-8 record with a 4.21 ERA. I want this guy to succeed. I can see him being apart of the rotation of the future with Jameson Taillon and Gerrit Cole and Kyle McPherson down in our farm system. (More on them later) 4. Jonathan Sanchez - The number 4 guy in the rotation who, after the 2010 season has went in quite the downward spiral. Last year going 0-3 in Colorado, with a near ERA of 10, I have absolutely no confidence in Sanchez heading into this year, and why should I? It will be his job to show me he can turn it around. 5. Justin Wilson - With a few of our starting pitcher possibles starting the season on the DL, we have to turn to Justin Wilson. This will be his first real year in the bigs, after playing in 8 games for the Pirates last year, have a 1.93 ERA, he certainly shows promise. He hasn't had double digit losses in any of his years in our farm system, hopefully that translates to the MLB level. Position Players C: Russel Martin - Good off-season pickup for the Pirates, coming over from the New York Yankees where he hit 21 HR's with 53 RBIs. Didn't have the best average, only batting .211, we're hoping he can stay in the 20 home run range and up that average just a bit. 1B: Gaby Sanchez - Acquired last year from Miami, he's not the best option we could have at first base. His batting is sub par, his DECENT defensively, and i'm being generous in saying that. I will be looking to upgrade this postion right away if possible. 2B: Neil Walker - Pittsburgh native Neil Walker starts for us at second base, and i'm more than okay with this option. He had a decent 2012 and he's only getting better. He's a threat for power and a threat on the basepaths. Defensively, he's also improving. He could be a BIG part of our plans for the future if he keeps getting better. 3B: Pedro Alvarez - This guy finally came out of his shell in 2012. Blasting 30 home runs with with 85 RBIs and a .244 average. He has a HIGH ceiling and I can only see him getting better. SS: Clint Barmes - Decent hitter, but an EXCELLENT defender. He knows that he's starting based exclusively on his good defensive skills. Hopefully he can surprise me and a few other people and bring his bat to the park this year. LF: Starling Marte - What's not to like about this guy? He's amazing in the outfield, has speed through the roof, and can rake the ball with the best of them. At only 24 years old, he could be one of the best in the game in a few years if handled properly. RF: Garrett Jones - 27 home runs with 86 RBIs last year, he's another power guy in our lineup, which is what I like, we need to score runs. If we played in the AL, he'd definitely be nothing more than a DH, because his outfield skills are bad and diminishing. I'm scratching my head as to why Jose Tabata isn't our starter here. CF: Andrew McCutchen - The man, our MVP Candidate, our All-Star, the guy who this team will be built around. Great in the outfield, great at the plate, a gazelle on the basepaths. There's nothing this guy can't do. I'm praying that he can stay healthy, because if he goes down, this team goes down.