In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, but to us baseball fans, it was also the day pitchers and catchers reported.
Your Bucs are back as pitchers and catchers are ready to hit the fields here at Pirate City! #PiratesST pic.twitter.com/dBmiO4MxGy
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) February 14, 2017
The next count down will be until the rest of the team shows up in Florida. Spring training games for the Pirates don’t start for 11 days, but to have baseball games in February is both absurd and wonderful. Spring training is wonderful not just because baseball is back, but because we get to see top prospects show off what they have against major leaguers, and because we slowly get more clarity on how the roster will shake out.
This season, the Pirates won’t have many heated roster battles, but that’s not to say there won’t be any. The final bench spot will likely come down to either Alen Hanson or Adam Frazier. The final bullpen spot right now is probably between Wade LeBlanc and A.J. Schugel. And, most importantly, we’ll see who gets the fifth rotation spot come Opening Day. Will it be top prospect Tyler Glasnow, who may need more seasoning in Triple-A but likely needs to get back in the major eventually? Will it be Drew Hutchison, who the Pirates claimed they loved so much that they gave up two prospects and Francisco Liriano for last summer? Or could the team go with Steven Brault, if they feel they need a lefty on the staff?
Injuries usually render some final roster spot battles meaningless, as likely all of these players will have a chance at some point in the season to play for the major league squad and earn a roster spot.
Spring training is certainly an exciting time. It provides hope for every team. I know I’m optimistic about what this Pirates team can be this season.
Baseball Talk Around the Web
- Keith Law of ESPN lists some top prospects that he feels can make a major impact this season. Did any Pirates make his list?
- Matt Snyder of CBS Sports gives some nice, hopeful notes for all baseball fans as pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
- And in terrible news for Cardinals’ fans, their young stud pitcher Alex Reyes may be facing Tommy John surgey.
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