Winter Ball Update, Clement's Situation

Jennifer Langosch made a post this morning updating us on how some of the Pirates' notable names are fairing in winter ball. Here's the deets:

• Brian Bixler (Mexico): 35 G, .300 BA, 5 2B, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 13 BB, 42 SO
  
• Ronny Cedeno (Venezuela): 33 G, .292 BA, 3 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 16 RBI
  
• Argenis Diaz (Venezuela): 43 G, .195 BA, 3 2B, 5 RBI, 9 BB, 23 SO
  
• Gorkys Hernandez (Venezuela): 33 G, .245 BA, 4 2B, 1 HR, 9 RBI
  
• Erik Kratz (Dominican Republic): 16 G, .065 BA, 1 2B, 4 RBI
  
• Starling Marte (Dominican Republic): 10 G, .333 BA, 2 SB
  
• Neil Walker (Venezuela): 34 G, .267 BA, 9 2B, 4 HR, 16 RBI
  
• Ramon Aguero (Dominican Republic): 14 G, 0-1, 14 IP, 5 ER, 7 BB, 15 K
  
• Wilfredo Ledezma (Venezuela): 9 G, 2-3, 40 IP, 22 ER, 16 BB, 31 K
  
• Jean Machi (Venezuela): 28 G, 2-0, 33 IP, 5 ER, 5 BB, 24 K, 15 SV
  
• R.J. Rodriguez (Puerto Rico): 11 G, 1-0, 12 IP, 6 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 SV
  
• Ronald Uviedo (Venezuela): 19 G, 2-0, 21.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 BB, 23 K
  

Nothing too surprising there. Brian Bixler just continues to play well when it matters least, and news flash, Argenis Diaz still can't hit. Cedeno's numbers are impressive and a good sign for the Pirates. Unfortunately, Gorkys Hernandez continues to underperform, and saying Eric Kratz is underperforming would be an understatement. The pitchers are all performing pretty well, nothing spectacular but solid.

Moving on now, Dejan Kovacevic of the Post-Gazzette made a post involving Jeff Clement this morning. Basically what the piece says is that the Pirates are going to have Clement starting at first base when the season starts, and he will stay there AT LEAST until Tabata and/or Alvarez are ready to come up. They really want to give him a good look; everyone was really impressed and encouraged with his performance at the plate last year in Indianapolis. This means that the only real competition for a starting job will be at shortstop between Ronny Cedeno and Bobby Crosby. Should be interesting.

Have a great day America!