Pirates Visit Rays: Is Chris Leroux Pitching for His Job?

The Bucs travel

to Port Charlotte for a night game against the Tampa Bay Rays.  Charlie Morton will square off against David Price.  The Pirates right hander is coming off four scoreless on March 23rd.

The Pirates also scheduled to throw Evan Meek, Chris Leroux, and Juan Cruz.

Could Leroux be pitching for a job?  Time is running out on camp and with Daniel McCutchen pitching tomorrow, tonight would be a good time for Leroux to shine.   We enjoy watching relievers that have shown the ability to strike batters out in high leverage situations.  Nothing against McCutchen’s strong first half of 2011, but he hasn’t shown the ability to produce strikeouts like Leroux.

One would think that a pitcher like Leroux that showed the ability to learn new skills with the Bucs staff and turned it into some positives in 2011 might be set headed into this season.

One would think that a pitcher with the strikeout ability that Leroux has shown would be a safe bet to make the Pirates roster.

One would think that a pitcher with no options left when combined with his other skills would surely have a spot on the roster.   But we can’t say for sure that Leroux does.

He hasn’t pitched great this spring.  But the strikeouts are still there–ten whiffs in 7.2 innings pitched.  The trouble has been five walks and a pile of hits allowed against minor league players.

We bet Leroux makes the club, but it would be cool for him to put on a show against the Rays tonight.  Letting Leroux go would be a mistake, let’s trust he can reinforce that message.

If you’ve never been to Port Charlotte, this ballpark is pretty cool.

The baseball boardwalk around the outfield at Port Charlotte is what the Pirates are planning on putting around McKechnie Field.

A rather nice location for a bar is always a good thing.

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Each of the Bucs last five losses have come in the 7th inning or later.

Andrew McCutchen has reached base safely in nine straight games.

Neil Walker has hit safely in seven of the past nine games.

James McDonald is scheduled to start against the Twins tomorrow. Other than D Cutch we havent heard who else will pitch