Each day during spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates Breakdown will give you game recaps, news updates, and video of player and coach interviews, highlights, and more from the day.
Spring training provides a lot of storylines, some valid and others not so much, as fans desperately wait for Opening Day to come. But we have a real one brewing before our eyes: Juan Nicasio is the real deal. Yes, this is the same Nicasio that the Pirates are stretching out in case they need him to be a starter, an idea that many laughed at. This should in fact come as a pleasant and welcome surprise, considering the lack of quality pitching expected from Jeff Locke and Ryan Vogelsong. The outcomes of spring training games of course don’t matter, but individual performances can tell us something. And today Nicasio showed what he’s capable of.
Today the Pirates fell to the Orioles 9-3 as Nicasio took the mound as the starter, and that score certainly wasn’t because of him. In just four innings of work, Nicasio fanned 10 batters, allowed just one hit, and walked none. He has not allowed a run so far this spring. In ten total innings of spring work, Nicasio has struck out 16 batters and has a WHIP of 0.80. He’s certainly making a case for himself against Vogelsong or Locke for a spot at the back-end of the rotation.
On the flip side of that, both Arquimedes Caminero and Jared Hughes continued their rough springs as each allowed multiple runs on the day. Hughes has an ERA of 19.64 in 3.2 innings pitched, while Caminero has pitched to a ERA of 18.69 in 4.1 innings of work. Both players are certain locks to make the bullpen this season, but hopefully each shows some signs of life before Opening Day.
On the offensive side, Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run home run in the fourth, but other than that, the Pirates only notched six total hits on the day.
Tomorrow the Pirates return to McKechnie Field to take on the Yankees at 1:05 PM.
Unfortunately we don’t have video highlights of the game available to us today, so we’re gonna leave you with some tweets until tomorrow. Enjoy!
Sources: LaRoche chose to retire after #WhiteSox prez Ken Williams told him that he no longer could bring 14-year-old son into clubhouse.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2016
Among the strikeout victims for Nicasio today: Manny Machado, Adam Jones, Mark Trumbo and Pedro Alvarez
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) March 16, 2016
Top Pirates positional prospect Austin Meadows will undergo surgery for orbital fracture later this week or early next week
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) March 16, 2016
Pirates anticipate getting Cory Luebke into a game later this week
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) March 16, 2016
Pirates trainer Todd Tomczyk said Jung Ho Kang's next step is beginning change-of-direction movement in infield
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) March 16, 2016
#Pirates released and re-signed RHP Angel Sanchez. Similar to Casey Sadler situation, both out 2016 w/ TJ surgery https://t.co/7CkpNx6DrC
— John Dreker (@JohnDreker) March 16, 2016
Watching Jameson Taillon today hard to believe he won't help the Pirates big league club at some point this year.
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) March 16, 2016
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