Following a series split with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates continue their road trip with a four game series with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark. The Pirates look to take on the Reds for a second straight weekend in a series that could feature a lot of the Pirates youngest stars.
The Pittsburgh Pirates (71-74) are currently 5.5 games back in the Wild Card race and are simply playing for another winning season. The Bucs have lost six of their last 10 games and are 4-10 in the month of September. The Bucs faced the Reds last weekend and were swept in three games at PNC Park.
The Cincinnati Reds (62-83) are currently serving in a role that they serve well: spoiler. The Reds hindered the Pirates postseason hopes last weekend and they hope to derail them even more this weekend as they are a team with simply nothing to lose.
The Pirates and the Reds always have interesting series that fans are excited to watch. I know it’s been difficult for fans to watch as the Bucs slip more and more out of playoff contention, but there are still things to look out for and enjoy.
For this set of matchups, I wanted to take a look at some of the young players that may likely get opportunities in this series. There are plenty of individual matchups to watch for and some of the Pirates future stars will be right in the middle of them.
3.) Jameson Taillon vs Reds offense
For the first time since Sept. 7, Jameson Taillon takes the mound for the Pirates as he pitches in game one of a doubleheader tomorrow.
Taillon had his last start skipped to limit his innings and will have an opportunity to face the Reds for the second time this season.
In his last start against Cincinnati on Aug. 5, Taillon allowed just one earned run on six hits while walking one and striking out six in six innings. The 24-year old is 3-4 with a 3.27 ERA in 15 starts and has compiled 72 strikeouts in 88 innings.
Taillon has only faced the Reds on the one occasion, but he’ll need to shut down guys like Brandon Phillips and Tucker Barnhart in order to have success. The duo is a combined 3-for-5 against Taillon while Phillips drove in the lone earned run in the Pirates rookie’s last start against Cincy.
As the Pirates begin to look towards 2017, Taillon is expected to be a vital part of the future plans. He is one of the young stars fans will be able to witness in this series and it will be interesting to see if he can continue his consistency tomorrow and throughout the rest of the season.
2.) Adam Frazier, Josh Bell, and Alen Hanson getting starts?
Three of the youngest rookies on the Pirates 40-man roster include Adam Frazier, Josh Bell and Alen Hanson. All three have been highly touted prospects in the Pirates organization, but now might be a perfect opportunity for them to begin shedding that label.
Out of the three players, Frazier is the one with the most experience. The 24-year old has served as a more than capable bench bat for the Bucs, hitting .337 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 51 games. Frazier has made 17 starts for the Pirates this season and deserves more than a couple more as the season comes towards the end.
Bell has spent a majority of the season in Triple-A Indianapolis, but he has had his fair share of opportunities at the major league level. The switch hitting first baseman has been more than impressive for the Bucs, hitting .301 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 29 games and drawing 15 walks compared to just eight strikeouts.
I know the defense is still a hot topic when it comes to Bell, but he is more than deserving of getting some starts as the season comes to a close. This series would be a perfect time as Bell is familiar with Great American Ballpark. In fact, Bell hit a two-run home run there in last year’s All Star Futures Game. Whose to say he can’t do it again?
Hanson has had some time in the majors this season, but not nearly as much as Frazier and Bell. The top second base prospect is just 1-for-7 (.143) at the major league level, which includes two at-bats in May. Hanson hasn’t had much success since being called up at the end of the Triple-A season, but he has gone in on defense.
All three of these young players are capable of being in the major league picture full time in the near future. As the season winds down, it might not be a bad idea for these guys to get more starting opportunities, especially against another young squad like the Reds.
1.) Trevor Williams vs Reds in first MLB Start
In game two of tomorrow’s doubleheader, Trevor Williams is scheduled to make his first major league start.
Williams has made two appearances so far at the major league level, pitching primarily out of the Pirates bullpen. The 24-year old had a stellar first outing, pitching three shutout innings, but struggled in his second appearance, giving up three earned runs in one inning.
Despite the mixed success out of the pen, Williams is a legitimate starting pitching threat.
He proved that in the minors this season as he posted a 10-6 record with a 2.42 ERA in 21 appearances (20 starts) with the Bradenton Marauders and Indianapolis Indians.
When it comes to next season, this start may serve as a tryout of sorts for Williams. It will at least give the Pirates something to look at and see what they can expect from the young right hander moving forward.
This start won’t be easy for Williams as the Reds are a resilient bunch looking to spoil the Pirates fun. Williams rough relief appearance came at the hands of the Reds so it is likely he will be searching for a little bit of redemption.
Williams, who is among the long list of top pitching prospects in the Pirates organization, may have a prime opportunity to join the Pirate major league roster next season.Tomorrow’s start may either help or hurt him moving forward as he tries to impress and make an impact on the field.
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