The State of the Pirates
March 10th 2009 16:14
The Pirates open the 2009 campaign with the same expectations they have had for the last 16 seasons and that is to finally have a winning record.
This organization can be compared to the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. They are a team that has no hope and has a difficult time building a team. The Pirates are in a small market so they have to build within the organization, but this is where they have struggled the last nine years. Their first-round draft picks have either struggled breaking into the major leagues or were set back with major arm injuries. The team’s first-round picks in 2000, 2001 and 2002 all missed time with major arm injuries. Sean Burnett was drafted in 2000 and took eight years to break into the major leagues after recovering from Tommy John surgery. John Van Benschoten, drafted in 2001, missed significant time with a shoulder season. He has pitched in only 20 games the last two seasons. A shoulder injury also affected 2002 draft choice Bryan Bullington, but he finally broke into the major leagues as a relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. Bullington was the first overall pick in the draft. He was drafted over the likes of B.J. Upton, Prince Fielder, Jeff Francis, Scott Kazmir and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels.
Other prospects from the organization include outfielder Andrew McCutcheon, catcher Neil Walker, first baseman Steven Pearce, shortstop Brad Bixler and third baseman Pedro Alvarez. None of these prospects are expected to make the roster coming out of spring training. They also have a tendency to trade or not sign top players (Jason Bay, Aramis Ramirez) so they keep players around.
They are a very young team but are consisted of players that would be average to role players on any other team. The rest of the teams in the NL Central are always trying to find ways to improve like the Cubs, Brewers, Cardinals, Astros and even the Reds so it’s not promising for the organization.
This organization can be compared to the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. They are a team that has no hope and has a difficult time building a team. The Pirates are in a small market so they have to build within the organization, but this is where they have struggled the last nine years. Their first-round draft picks have either struggled breaking into the major leagues or were set back with major arm injuries. The team’s first-round picks in 2000, 2001 and 2002 all missed time with major arm injuries. Sean Burnett was drafted in 2000 and took eight years to break into the major leagues after recovering from Tommy John surgery. John Van Benschoten, drafted in 2001, missed significant time with a shoulder season. He has pitched in only 20 games the last two seasons. A shoulder injury also affected 2002 draft choice Bryan Bullington, but he finally broke into the major leagues as a relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. Bullington was the first overall pick in the draft. He was drafted over the likes of B.J. Upton, Prince Fielder, Jeff Francis, Scott Kazmir and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels.
Other prospects from the organization include outfielder Andrew McCutcheon, catcher Neil Walker, first baseman Steven Pearce, shortstop Brad Bixler and third baseman Pedro Alvarez. None of these prospects are expected to make the roster coming out of spring training. They also have a tendency to trade or not sign top players (Jason Bay, Aramis Ramirez) so they keep players around.
They are a very young team but are consisted of players that would be average to role players on any other team. The rest of the teams in the NL Central are always trying to find ways to improve like the Cubs, Brewers, Cardinals, Astros and even the Reds so it’s not promising for the organization.
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