Pirates spring training preview

By Rob Biertempfel, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Sunday, February 8, 2009

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Are Zach Duke and Tom Gorzelanny part of the future? Duke may never repeat his rookie brilliance, but he could be a useable part if he is more consistent. Gorzelanny is playing catch-up after falling out of favor last year.

2. Who will be the starting shortstop on Aug. 1? Even if Jack Wilson is not traded at the July 31 deadline, the Pirates are unlikely to pick up his option for 2010. The second half of the season is the time to start looking to the future.

3. Can Adam LaRoche avoid another April-May slump? A fast start would do more than boost the lineup. It could re-ignite talks about a long-term contract.

4. Is Andy LaRoche worthy of the hype? The Dodgers ran out of patience with him. His Pirates debut did not go well, but eight weeks was not enough time to truly judge his talent.

5. When will Andrew McCutchen make his major-league debut? Management wants the former first-round pick to become more instinctual and not have to rely so much on his athleticism to cover for mistakes. My best guess is, McCutchen takes his first swings at PNC Park in July.


DEPTH CHART

Catcher

The incumbent: Ryan Doumit — He proved last season he can handle the defensive duties.

The backup: Jason Jaramillo or Robinzon Diaz — Recent imports will battle this spring for roster spot.

The future: Doumit — Barring a major injury, he should still be behind the plate through 2012. That's mostly a tribute to Doumit's talent, but also due to a lack of catching depth in the farm system.

First base

The incumbent: Adam LaRoche — With free agency on the horizon, this is his last chance to show he can be part of the long-term plan.

The backup: Steve Pearce — He still has to prove his bat will play in the majors.

The future: Jamie Romak — He was moved to first base last year, then hit .208 with seven homers in 33 games with Double-A Altoona.

Second base

The incumbent: Freddy Sanchez — He rebounded in the second half of last season, but he needs an injury-free spring.

The backup: Ramon Vazquez — The veteran is signed through 2010 season.

The future: Shelby Ford who impressed management enough to earn non-roster invite to camp and Jim Negrych.

Third base

The incumbent: Andy LaRoche — It's time to make good on all the hype.

The backup: Eric Hinske — Good glove, some offensive pop and former Rookie of the Year credentials. Downside: He has not played the position since 2004.

The future: Pedro Alvarez, Neil Walker — One, or perhaps even both, of these guys could wind up at another position.


Shortstop

The incumbent: Jack Wilson — He will be shadowed by trade rumors, again. No one in the organization can match his defense.

The backup: Vazquez, Luis Cruz

The future: Brian Friday, Chase D'Arnaud, Jerek Cunningham — It will take a while, but this position could become one of the club's strengths. A third-round pick in 2007, Friday is solid fundamentally.

Outfield

The incumbents: Nate McLouth, Brandon Moss, Nyjer Morgan — Lots of pressure on McLouth for an encore. Moss and Morgan are keeping the seats warm until the future arrives.

The backups: Hinske, Pearce, Craig Monroe

The future: Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata — McCutchen's ETA is July. Tabata's ETA: September. Then again, the future could be here sooner than you think.

Starting rotation

The incumbents: Paul Maholm, Ian Snell, Jeff Karstens, Zach Duke — Maholm, the most reliable of the bunch, is the staff ace ... for now. He, and the team, would be better served in the third or fourth spot in the rotation.

Also in the mix: Tom Gorzelanny, Phil Dumatrait (injured), Jimmy Barthmaier, Ross Ohlendorf — Slimmed-down Gorzelanny has the upper hand in spring-training competition. Dumatrait is more reliable, but fragile.
The future: Daniel McCutchen, Bryan Morris, Brad Lincoln — Morris might end up being the best player acquired in last year's flurry of trades.

Bullpen

The incumbents: Matt Capps, Sean Burnett, John Grabow, Tyler Yates — That's a solid foundation for success. Grabow, a free agent in '09, is trade bait.

Also in the mix: Craig Hansen, Evan Meek, Romulo Sanchez, Donnie Veal, Denny Bautista, Chris Bootcheck, Jason Davis — A lot of power arms here. Hansen is maddeningly inconsistent, but is also out of options. Rule 5 pickup Veal should stick out of spring training. Meek, last year's Rule 5 guy, made progress last summer.

The future: Jesse Chavez, Dave Davidson — Both could get some looks in the majors this summer, auditions for bigger roles in 2010.

2009 SPRING TRAINING ROSTER

Pitchers

Player, B-T, 2008 team(s)
Jimmy Barthmaier, R-R, Altoona, Indianapolis, Pirates
x-Denny Bautista, R-R, Tigers, Toledo (injury rehab), Pirates

x-T.J. Beam, R-R, Indianapolis, Pirates

x-Chris Bootcheck, R-R, Rancho Cucamonga, Angels, Salt Lake

Sean Burnett, L-L, Indianapolis, Pirates

Matt Capps, R-R, Pirates, GCL Pirates (injury rehab), Altoona (injury rehab), Indianapolis (injury rehab)

Jesse Chavez, R-R, Indianapolis, Pirates

Dave Davidson, L-L, Altoona

x-Jason Davis, R-R, Indianapolis, Pirates

Zach Duke, L-L, Pirates

Phil Dumatrait, R-L, Pirates,

Tom Gorzelanny, L-L, Pirates, Indianapolis

John Grabow, L-L, Pirates

x-Daniel Haigwood, R-L, Portland

Craig Hansen, R-R, Pawtucket, Boston, Indianapolis, Pirates

Jeff Karstens, R-R, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pirates

Paul Maholm, L-L, Pirates

x-Juan Mateo, R-R, Iowa, Tennessee, Altoona

x-Daniel McCutchen, R-R, Trenton, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Indianapolis

Evan Meek, R-R, Pirates, Altoona, Indianapolis

Ross Ohlendorf, R-R, Yankees, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Indianapolis, Pirates

Romulo Sanchez, R-R, Indianapolis, Pirates

x-Brian Slocum, R-R, Buffalo, Indians

Ian Snell, R-R, Pirates

Jeff Sues, R-R, Lynchburg, Altoona

Ron Uviedo, R-R, Hickory

Virgil Vasquez, R-R, Toledo

Donnie Veal, L-L, Tennessee

Tyler Yates, R-R, Pirates


Catchers

Player, B-T, 2008 team(s)

Robinzon Diaz, R-R, Syracuse, Blue Jays, GCL Blue Jays (injury rehab), Dunedin, Indianapolis, Pirates

Ryan Doumit, S-R, Pirates, Altoona (injury rehab)

Jason Jaramillo, S-R, Lehigh Valley

x-Erik Kratz, R-R, New Hampshire, Syracuse

Steve Lerud, L-R, Lynchburg, Altoona

x-Miguel Perez, R-R, Altoona


Infielders

Player, B-T, 2008 team(s)
Pedro Alvarez, L-R, Vanderbilt University

Brian Bixler, R-R, Indianapolis, Pirates

Luis Cruz, R-R, Altoona, Indianapolis, Pirates

x-Shelby Ford, S-R, Altoona

x-Garrett Jones, L-L, Rochester

Adam LaRoche, L-L, Pirates, Hickory (injury rehab)

Andy LaRoche, R-R, Jacksonville, Las Vegas (injury rehab), Dodgers, Pirates

x-Pedro Lopez, R-R, Syracuse

x-Anderson Machado, S-R, New Orleans, Brooklyn (injury rehab), Binghamton

x-Andy Phillips, R-R, Louisville, Reds, Mets

Freddy Sanchez, R-R, Pirates

Ramon Vazquez, L-R, Rangers

Neil Walker, S-R, Indianapolis

Jack Wilson, R-R, Pirates, Indianapolis (injury rehab), Altoona (injury rehab)


Outfielders

Player, B-T, 2008 team(s)

Eric Hinske, L-R, Rays

x-Andrew McCutchen, R-R, Indianapolis

Nate McLouth, L-R, Pirates

Nyjer Morgan, L-L, Pirates, Indianapolis

x-Craig Monroe, R-R, Twins

Brandon Moss, L-R, Boston, Pawtucket, Pirates

Steve Pearce, R-R, Indianapolis, Pirates

x-Jeff Salazar, L-L, Tuscon, Diamondbacks

Jose Tabata, R-R, Trenton, GCL Pirates, Altoona

x—Non-roster invitee