Pittsburgh Pirates show well in MLB Network Top 10 lists

Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates players react after defeating the Atlanta Braves to secure a post season spot at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

MLB Network has recently been producing a fantastic series of programs highlighting the best of the best at each position.  “Top 10 Right Now” takes a unique approach to determining the best in the game at their respective positions.  Using a purely statistical analysis tool called “The Shredder,” MLB Network churns out a top 10 while two studio analysts give a human-based take on the list and offer their own modifications.  As of this time, there is no confirmation that this Shredder is obsessed with annihilating mutated amphibious mammals.

In years past, Pittsburgh Pirates fans would cringe at these kind of lists and hope for one or two players to show up.  Those days are long-gone, and the lists are dominated by names such as Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte, as expected.  That doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few surprises along the way.  Here now for you are some highlights of these lists.

The Shark Tank makes an appearance

Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Tony Watson (44) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Pirates’ bullpen has been a hot topic lately, after the Pirates acquired another heat-slinging righty, causing many question marks concerning the makeup of the Tank in 2015.  However, a midst all the shifting and shuffling, there are two comforting constants: Mark Melancon and Tony Watson.  From MLB.com:

Melancon and Waston come in at numbers 7 and 10, respectively.  To even casual fans, it’s hard to argue with those rankings.  Melancon’s season was so quiet yet so loud.  Quiet in that there was never any prolonged periods of struggle.  Loud to the tune of striking out 9 batters per 9 innings while only walking 11 batters all year in 72 appearances.  Mark put an emphatic exclamation mark on the Shark Tank rounding into form and once again becoming a great team strength.

Tony Watson tied for the NL lead in appearances by a pitcher with 78. Over 77 total innings, he amassed an sub-2.00 ERA and an astounding 1.02 WHIP.  A dominant left-hander with a good variety of pitches, Watson gives Clint Hurdle an invaluable weapon in the 8th or 9th inning.  Not only can he be used in situation match-up pitching, he has now earned the trust to take the ball and just flat-out get people out.

The next Pirate to show up on a top 10 should come as no surprise to anyone who’s ever heard of the game of baseball.

Next: #22 is Number One

Sep 25, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) is shown after the bottom of the fifth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates won 10-1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew McCutchen has had a steady ascent to this point.  From showing flashes of greatness in 2009 through an MVP season in 2013, Cutch is the rare prospect that came exactly as advertised.  A steady climb such as made him worthy of being named the #1 center fielder in all of baseball according to The Shredder.  From MLB.com:

To be honest, I was very surprised that Mike Trout didn’t take this honor.  I fully believe McCutchen is a more well-rounded and complete player, but the national media still sleeps on Cutch sometimes.  It is a great mystery to all, but it happens.  I don’t know who can quibble with #22’s 2014 slash of .314/.410/.542.  Oh, and that on-base percentage? Yeah it just led all of baseball.  Who can take offense to his offense, solidly holding down the no. 3 spot in the order without question, allowing Clint Hurdle to build a complete batting order around him?  Who else hates when he can run down balls in center field that he should have no business getting to, allowing LF and RF to play a little closer to the line and improve the overall team defense?  Yeah.  I thought so.

McCutchen isn’t the only young outfielder on the Pirates to make a top 10 list.

Next: Who's Ready to Partay?!

Sep 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Starling Marte came in at number 4 on The Sredder’s list as you’ll see below.  For a complete breakdown on how much I love Marte’s ceiling, click here.  One third or what is arguably the best outfield in the National League (if not the majors), Marte has also steadily climbed his way to these type of lists.  From MLB.com:

What excites me and others most about Marte is how versatile he is.  Able to bat anywhere from 2nd to 6th in the order, Marte gives you speed on the base paths, good defensive ability, and increasingly clutch hitting.  His ceiling is the highest of anyone on the Pirates right now not named Andrew.  He is increasing his plate discipline with each at-bat, and we can see the maturation happening right before our eyes.  Don’t be surprised if he is #1 on this list within the next two years.

When it comes to deciding the next Pirate to make a top 10 list, Pittsburgh’s own is not to be ignored.

Next: The Real Deal Takes His Place Among the Elite

Sep 8, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop

(10) mishandles the ball for an error during the eighth inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Pirates defeated the Phillies 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Jordy Mercer exited 2014 as the unquestioned everyday starter at SS for the Pittsburgh Pirates and may enter 2015 as part of a platoon when it’s all said and done.  The arrival of Jeong-ho Kang took everyone by surprise, but the biggest surprise of all may be that Mercer appears in The Shredder’s top 10 list at no. 6.  From MLB.com:

Keeping in mind that SS, above all other positions on the diamond, carries such weight defensively, Mercer does belong on this list.  Offensively, maybe not.  The first few months of 2014 were a disaster for Jordy, hitting .167 in April and .225 in May before starting to heat up and become the Mercer we expected to see after a breakout 2013.   Mercer’s end of year stats were not impressive, but his fielding sure was.  A .982 fielding percentage is solid, as is his 11 errors, especially when looking at who occupied the space to his right for a good chunk of the year.  Kang will push Mercer this year, and maybe that will be the best thing for him.  One of the better story lines in spring training this year will be these two going at it, and I for one will be paying attention.

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As of this writing, there are still two top 10 lists to come out.  Third Base and Catcher are all that’s remaining for us to debate.  I think we can all safely agree that Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart will not make that list.  But will Josh Harrison?  We’ll look into that with it’s own post when that happens but for now, what do you think?  Do you think the shredder got these right or wrong?  Any Pirates missing?  Let us know in the comments or on Twitter or Facebook.

One thing is certain: the days of seeing a token Pirate in the all star game or “honorable mentions” in lists like these are over.