Pittsburgh Pirates: Notable Spring Training Performers

Spring Training is just about two weeks into game action already.  Who are some of the Pittsburgh Pirates that have performed well thus far?

There was a lot of animosity as the Pittsburgh Pirates entered Spring Training this year.  The team sold off their “best” pieces and many fans are expecting the team to regress even more than they did over the past two seasons.  However, with the subtraction of some key players, the Pittsburgh Pirates are getting a chance to see some other players step up and turn some heads.  There have been a few players, especially who have stood out thus far in the early going.

Big Leaguers

Starling Marte is off to a hot start, which is great to see.  He is expected to take over ownership of the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield this season with the subtraction of Andrew McCutchen.  Quite honestly many expected him to do so last season, but of course, he was suspended half the year for PEDs.  When he returned he was decent, but not the high-level player fans have come to expect.  So far this spring he is batting .500/.545/.600, with five hits in four games.  He also has a double and three steals.

Sean Rodriguez was a late addition to the Pittsburgh Pirates last summer.  After seeing him leave in free agency over the last offseason, Rodriguez found himself on the disabled list for most of last year due to a car accident.  He returned with the Braves and saw himself batting under .200 in his short time with them.  However, with a full offseason of preparation and nothing but baseball on his agenda, he has gotten off to a strong start.  So far this spring, Sean-Rod is batting .444/.444/1.222 with two home runs in four games.

Colin Moran was essentially the headliner in this offseason’s Gerrit Cole trade.  Not only was he the highest profile prospect coming back in the trade, being a former top 10 pick, but also because he would fill the Bucs biggest hole from last year at third base.  Technically he is still a prospect, but he will no doubt open the year with the club, as he should.  In the early going he is batting .357/.400/.500.  He has had two doubles and five hits in five games.

Prospects

Austin Meadows had the worst season of his minor league career last year.  In his first full season at Triple-A, he put up lackluster numbers.  Of course, he barely played half the season.  Meadows battled a hamstring on and off during the season which most likely had an impact on his playing ability.  Also, a strain of his oblique ended his season.  With that, many have started to sour on the former top prospect.  He has rebounded well so far this spring.  He is leading the team in offense, batting a robust .625/.667/1.500 with a home run, a triple, a double, and seven RBIs in just six games.

Right behind Meadows in terms of offensive performers is second base prospect Kevin Kramer.  Kramer mashed at Double-A until his season was interrupted by a broken hand.  The former second-round pick is batting .571/.700/1.571.  He has four hits, all being extra-base hits, including a home run, a triple, and two doubles. Going along with all of his extra base hits is three RBIs in just four games.  Kramer will likely start in Triple-A this year.

Next: Pirates Bring in a NFL Runningback

As of now, pitcher data is not considered applicable and not available MLB.com.  Many of the starters have only thrown in one game, though some like Tyler Glasnow have appeared in two games, and Glasnow punched out six in three innings yesterday.  Check back over the next couple of days for the pitchers totals thus far.