Pirates Send ‘Something to Prove’ Lineup Out Against Yankees

2012?

The Pittsburgh Pirates send the ‘something to prove’ lineup to Tampa today to take on the New York Yankees.  The Bucs are filled from top to bottom with players that are attempting to make a statement this Spring Training.

Jaff Decker is hitting leadoff and playing right field.  Decker reminds me a bit of Alex Presley.  The first rounder, 42nd overall in 2008, needs to show that he will remain healthy and can provide the offense that Presley never did as a Pirate.

Gregory Polanco will hit in the two hole and roam center field waiting to make highlights.   Polanco is every Pirates fan savior, but to the Buccos brass he still has plenty to prove.  Today would be a good time to start ripping some baseballs.

Chris Dickerson will move to left field and is batting third.  The 31-year old is running out of time to show what he can do at the ML level.  A bobble in yesterdays game against the Yankees wont help his cause.

Andrew Lambo will hit cleanup and be at first base.  Does anyone believe that Lambo can pull this off?  All the eyes of Pittsburgh are on the 25 year old who is trying to provide spark to an offense that left much to be desired in 2013.

Tony Sanchez will be the DH.  All Sanchez does is hit bombs.  Will today be three days in a row?  God we hope so.  Sanchez is going to keep on hitting and let the Bucs brass try and explain the reasoning for sending him to AAA.

Chris Stewart seemed like he was handed the backup catching spot.  Sanchez is putting some pressure on the light hitting catcher to show at least some offensive abilities.  In seven Major League seasons,  Stewart has an OPS+ of 59–hitting sixth in this lineup says all you need to know about what’s behind him.

Josh Harrison is trying to hold onto a bench job with the Pirates.

Clint Barmes will be at short.  The veteran returned on a one-year deal to be the backup infielder.  Barmes is trying desperately to find his batting stroke after putting up his worst OPS+ since the 2007 season.

Michael Martinez is rumored to have an outside shot at a roster spot.  Martinez will need to improve his contact rate for me to believe it.

Charlie Morton will be on the mound.  Morton inked a nice contract in the offseason and is now out to prove he can remain healthy and provide the Pirates with an innings eating machine.  I want to believe Morton can be that guy.

After Morton are pitchers with plenty to prove in All-Star Jeff Locke, southpaw Yao-Hsun Yang, Daniel Schlereth, 2013 phenom Brandon Cumpton, and Cody Eppley