Kyle McPherson: Poised to Land Fifth Starters Job, Now on Comeback Trail

Today, the Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed Kyle McPherson.  We think it will be one of the best moves of this offseason, but of course we are biased in our feelings toward the man we call McFear.  Search around the site and you can listen to interviews from McPherson’s time riding buses with Vic Black while he was a member of the State College Spikes.

So why do we believe bringing McPherson back to the team on a cordial Spring Training invite is so important?  Oh, how quickly you forget.

First take a look at the guy as he headed toward the dugout back in March.  We’re glad we weren’t standing in his way.

Kyle McPherson prepares to pitch in Grapefruit League action. Photo: RumBunter.com

Seriously, take a good look.

Ok, now that you’re done staring.  Hit rewind on what he did just nine months ago for the Bucs.

Our post title was McPherson Poised for Fifth Starters Job

"There are a few reasons people might want you to believe that Kyle McPherson should begin the season in Triple-A Indianapolis. We don’t have any of them. We fully believe the fifth starter’s job is McPherson’s job to lose.With no clear favorite for the job, Kyle McPherson did everything possible today against the Philadelphia Phillies to prove it’s his job. The right-hander pitched five scoreless innings giving up four hits and struckout one. It went down like so.First inning:Freddy Galvis popped out to Brandon IngeMichael Young flew out to right fielder Jose TabataChase Utley grounded out softly to Brandon IngeSecond inning:Ryan Howard hit a sharp single to rightDominic Brown grounded into a force outDarin Ruf hit a sharp single past Brandon IngeIt looked like trouble for the Buccos double black belt. But McPherson bore down and wrapped up the inning.Lanyce Nix grounded outErik Kratz grounded out. Inning over.Third inning:Ender Inciarte flew out to Alex Presley in leftFreddy Galvis flew out to Jose Tabata in rightMichael Young flew out to Alex Presley in leftFourth inning:Chase Utley provided the drama of the day for McFear with a leadoff doubleRyan Howard flew outDominic Brown popped out to Inge who made a nice play by the third base fenceDarin Ruf flew out to Gold glover Andrew McCutchenFifth inning:Laynce Nix groundout to Brandon IngeErik Kratz struckout lookingEnder Inciarte doubledFreddy Galvis grounded out to Neil WalkerNow that my friends is how you win a starters job in the big leagues. Let’s trust McPherson is the man headed North with the club at month’s end"

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The difficult part of the story is that we all know what happened to the Pirates right hander.  He never went North.  The starts became more difficult as the pain mounted.  And still, it wasn’t like Jeff Locke blew anyone away in Florida it was more like McPherson’s arm let him down at the absolute worst time of his life.

McPherson attempted to pitch through the pain for a number of starts and it took quite an effort by the club to shut him down.  Now the long road back to the big leagues stands in front of the 6’4″ Mobile, Alabama native.

So before you quickly blow off what the Pirates did today, just remember where McPherson was nine months ago.  I like to bet.  So I’m betting on McFear.