Rum Bunter’s 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates Staff Preview: Josh

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: Corey Dickerson #12 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Starling Marte #6 and Pablo Reyes #15 after the final out in a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals at PNC Park on September 19, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: Corey Dickerson #12 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Starling Marte #6 and Pablo Reyes #15 after the final out in a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals at PNC Park on September 19, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
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The start of the Pittsburgh Pirates regular season is three days away which means it is time for our yearly staff previews of the team to begin here at Rum Bunter.

The 2019 Major League Baseball season is quickly approaching. The Pittsburgh Pirates will be facing off against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, March 28th, at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. They will have an off-day that Friday and will finish the series on Sunday.

The Pirates surprised a lot of people around the sport following the 2018 regular season with an 82-79 record. Most believed that they would finish at the bottom of the very competitive NL Central. Also, GM Neal Huntington made some uncharacteristic moves at the 2018 trade deadline by adding Chris Archer and Keone Kela.

With the losses of Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison to the Detroit Tigers, it opens the door for Erik Gonzalez and Adam Frazier to play everyday. Gonzalez provides the middle infield with spectacular defense. Jung Ho Kang is returning to the team after being away since the 2016 season and he immediately gives the Pirates more power that they desperately need.

So, lets get into some predictions for the 2019 Pirates. Beginning with who will be the teams Cy Young winner.

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Team Cy Young Winner – Jameson Taillon 

A rotation that is one of the best in baseball is headed by Jameson Taillon. After producing a strong stat line in 2018, he looks to take the next step and become one of the NL’s best in 2019.

Taillon didn’t join the Major League team until half way through the 2016 season and unfortunately missed some time in 2017 due to testicular cancer. So, in 2019 he aims to be healthy and productive much like he was last season.

With a rotation that includes, Chris Archer, Trevor Williams,  and Joe Musgrove, Taillon will get the nod on Opening Day in Cincinnati. In 191 innings pitched last season, he posted a 3.20 ERA, 3.46 FIP, and a 1.178 WHIP. All very impressive numbers and he still hasn’t reached his full potential yet.

Taillon has a good chance to make a run at the NL Cy Young Award this season, let alone the teams Cy Young. He has proved time and time again to be able to go against the best hitters in the league. Being in the NL Central, it isn’t exactly easy being a pitcher as well. With the Cardinals addition of Paul Goldschmidt, the division gets even more studded with accomplished hitters.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates /

Team MVP – Josh Bell

The 2019 campaign is a very important one for the Pirates first basemen. Josh Bell has flashed raw power at the plate in the 2017 season with 26 homers. Last season his power numbers dropped off with only 12. His power will be needed as the Pirates finished in the bottom half of the league in home runs a year ago.

Bell won’t always hit for a tremendous average, but he will consistently hover around .260. His ability to produce runs is there and if he can gain is confidence back this season, we are looking at a stud of a hitter.

He is an outfielder by trade, but a log jam of talent in the outfield for the Pirates gave them the option of transitioning Bell to first base. No, he isn’t the best defensive first basemen in the world, but it can be tolerable if his bat can stay hot. Bell looks to increase his power numbers such as slugging percentage (.411 last season) and OPS (.768 last season). This is imperative for the team if they would like to make a realistic run at the postseason.

With the surplus of first basemen in the NL Central such as, Joey Votto, Goldschmidt, and Anthony Rizzo, it will be a tall task to get an all-star nod for Bell. There is still a good possibility that it could happen if his numbers look more like they did in 2017 or a down year from any of the other first basemen in the division.

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Team Rookie of the Year – Mitch Keller

The Pirates don’t have much rookie fire power that will be starting the season with the club, so my choice for their best rookie would be Mitch Keller. A top pitching prospect in baseball that has a legitimate chance to get the call to Pittsburgh this summer.

With the Pirates quest in finding a 5th starter in the rotation, Keller could find his way in that spot by June. As of right now it is looking as if Jordan Lyles has the upper hand in winning that spot, but with his track record he is more of a bullpen arm. Nick Kingham has had flashes of decency at the big league level last year, but he obviously has room to improve.

Keller did struggle this spring to the tune of a 22.50 ERA in 4 innings pitched. He gave up a lot of hard contact as well as home runs. At AAA he boasted a 4.82 ERA in 10 games started last season as well. There is an obvious need for him to go back to Indianapolis and put in more time there to grow before he is called up.

I believe that he will be needed much earlier than expected due to the uncertainty of the Pirates 5th starter position. Unless they sign a guy like Dallas Keuchel, or Lyles and/or Nick Kingham can shine, it looks like Keller’s arrival is closer than expected.

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Predicting The 2019 Record

The Pirates have a starting rotation that is arguably the best in the NL. If they can get great starting pitching day in and day out, the offense won’t have to produce excessively every game. I do believe that Josh Bell will have a break out season as well as Adam Frazier. As long as they can produce more long balls, they will win games.

This team struggled mightily with hitting homers a season ago, but they have potential of being a top power hitting club in the league. Guys like Kang, Bell, Gregory Polanco, and Corey Dickerson all have 30 home run power. Marte, Moran, and Cervelli can also hit 15 out of the park. There is no doubt that this team can produce runs, it is just a matter of living up to their potential.

Not to mention that the bullpen has several live arms. With the likes of Felipe Vazquez, Kela, Kyle Crick, and Richard Rodriguez, they have a bunch of pitchers that can make outs and force swings and misses. If this team can all produce like they have in the past, it could be an exciting summer on the North Shore.

Next. Liriano, Cabrera Earn Roster Spots. dark

Expect the Pittsburgh Pirates to post their second consecutive winning season in 2019. The team will also compete for a postseason berth, and it would not be a surprise to see them return to the postseason for the first time since 2015.

2019 record prediction: 89-73

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