Today we're gonna take a look at the 2010 Pirates projected opening day catchers and first base options. So, let's go!
Catchers:
- Ryan Doumit:
2009: 75 G, .250 AVG, 10 HR, 38 RBI
Doumit's season was greatly shortened by injury last year, but he did okay with the time he was with the Bucs. Ryan is one of the league's most intriguing offensive catchers when he is healthy, which is not very often. If it weren't for that injury he suffered last year, there was a good chance he would have been dealt at the deadline, or already this offseason. The Pirates have looked into trading him, but they haven't pulled the trigger because the offers they are getting aren't nearly good enough, and you can't blame other teams for that because who wants to give up a whole bunch for a catcher that has shown that he can't stay on the field for more than 3 months at a time. Assuming the Pirates don't receive a surprise overwhelming trade offer this offseason, Doumit will go into the 2010 season as the Pirates every day starting catcher, but will most likely not finish the season there. If he performs well, my guess is he will be dealt mid-season. If he gets hurt again, then who knows what will happen with him. The Pirates' have top 5 prospect Tony Sanchez ready to take over the job in the next few years, so Doumit's future with the Pirates should be short.
2010 peak: 140 G, .280 AVG, 25 HR, 85 RBI
2010 expectation: 90 G, .265 AVG, 13 HR, 50 RBI (traded away in July) - Jason Jaramillo:
2009: 63 G, .252 AVG, 3 HR, 26 RBI
Jaramillo played surprisingly well in his time filling in for the injured Ryan Doumit. In fact, he and his fellow backstop, Robinzon Diaz hit for a higher OPS than Doumit's career average in those months. The reason Jaramillo got the nod over Diaz out of spring training was because of his defense. He is very solid behind the plate and can call a good game. He doesn't have much of a stick, but he did show the ability to hit in pressure situations. All-in-all, I would be content with Jaramillo as the starter this year if Doumit gets dealt.
2010 peak: 90 G, .270 AVG, 10 HR, 55 RBI
2010 expectation: 50 G, .260 AVG, 5 HR, 40 RBI
The third option for the Pirates at catcher is Eric Kratz. Kratz his .273 with 11 bombs last year with Indianapolis. He's 30 years old and really doesn't look like he will ever be a big league starter. However, in the event of a Doumit trade or injury, Kratz will be the guy there to back up Jaramillo.
- Jeff Clement:
2009 (with two AAA teams): 119 G, .274 AVG, 21 HR, 90 RBI
Clement is one of the keys to the Pirates successes this year. He was acquired in the trade that sent Jack Wilson and Ian Snell to Seattle, and was the main piece in that trade. He is a former #1 overall prospect, but was shipped away so freely because of his lack of ability to play the catcher position well. The Pirates quickly made him a first baseman and now they are looking to give him a serious look as a big league first basemen. There's no telling what could happen here, and if he doesn't play well he could soon lose his job to the Pirates current #1 prospect, Pedro Alvarez (who probably isn't going to play any first base this year, but possibly in the future). I honestly believe that if Clement performs well, like really well, the Pirates could be competitive this year. He is one of the main keys to the 2010 squad.
2010 peak: 150 G, .290 AVG, 35 HR, 110 RBI
2010 expectation: 135 G, .270 AVG, 17 HR, 85 RBI - Garrett Jones:
2009: 82 G, .293, 21 HR, 44 RBI
There was no bigger surprise on the 2009 Pirates than Garrett Jones. He came up from Indianapolis on the first day of July and was the Pirates best hitter from there on. The average, the power, the defense, it was all there. He was one of the best players in the National League the second half of the year. The only problem is, he is 28 years old and was never regarded as a potential big time player, which shows that he will most likely not perform that way again. However, the Pirates are excited about him and think he can be the Pirates' main power guy next season. With Jeff Clement in place at first, Jones will be the every day right fielder at the beginning of the year, but he is no doubt the back up first base man. If Clement were to get hurt or underperform drastically in his first couple months, Jones would move from right to first and one of the Pirates outfield options would fill in in right field (hopefully Jose Tabata).
2010 peak: 155 G, .300 AVG, 40 HR, 120 RBI
2010 expectation: 145 G, .265 AVG, 20 HR, 80 RBI
The other guys that we could be seeing play first base for the Pirates in 2010 are Steve Pearce and the aforementioned Pedro Alvarez (although like I said it is very unlikely that he will play first in 2010). Pearce got his chance at grabbing the starting job last year with the Pirates when they gave him the final 2 months of the season there to show what he had, and he sure didn't show much. He hit .203 with only 3 HR and 15 RBI in 43 games between August 1st and the end of the season. Those numbers were bad enough to earn him a spot in AAA at the beginning of 2010. As of right now, he is still the #3 first baseman in the organization, but there have been talks of the Pirates signing a utility man that could fill in at first (i.e. Hank Blalock), but I don't really expect that too happen. Here's hoping Clement and Jones stay healthy and perform well enough to keep Pearce out of the bigs this year.
So there's your catchers and first basemen. My computer battery is now on it's last few minutes of life, so now is the time to say goodnight, and Merry Christmas to all!