Buc Notes: March 10, 2015

If you’re following the Grapefruit League standings, you’ll see the Pirates are 2-7 and riding near the basement.

Mar 7, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke (49) throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Sure, it is early and yes, it doesn’t matter. But it’s still something to talk about.

What’s strange about spring training so far is that there are really no exciting roster battles I’m following with great interest. The starting rotation is set. A few so-so’s battling for utility type roster spots and maybe one or two minor battles for a bullpen spot hardly makes for nail biting drama.

And a handful of prospects that won’t see the light of day until the season is underway all underscore the strange nature of “top prospects” and spring training roster battles that make up the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Whatever is in the air for this roster, the word “bold” likely won’t be used to describe it.

The Pirates Starting Rotation

Gerrit Cole is scheduled to make his first start of the year on March 13. And Francisco Liriano is powering right along performing well so far. He’s looking the part of a veteran pitcher that deserves to be the Opening Day starter for the Pirates.

Jeff Locke got introspective with DKPittsburghSport’s Matt Gajtka revealing how he feels when he has a horrible game. So far this spring training, Locke looks the same as he’s always looked and his 7.20 ERA so far is Locke-like.

Ryan Vogelsong is getting his mistakes out of the way early but otherwise looks ok. Jon Niese is making too many mistakes. He’s having an incredibly rough spring training. His ERA is 14.40 after five innings of work.

The biggest piece of the Pirates roster that is causing consternation is the starting rotation. Yet, this spring training is totally non-determinant when it comes to the starting rotation. The Pirates have made it clear Tyler Glasnow needs more time. Jameson Taillon has pitched 4 innings and has looked so-so. Juan Nicasio and Kyle Lobstein are both working hard – but both are AAA depth or bullpen help.

As we get closer to the season and more and more Pirates fans “tune” back into baseball – I think they’ll be shocked to find a starting rotation with few serviceable alternatives and little emergency depth. Not to mention, a starting rotation with one, two or three big question marks depending on who you ask.

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