Who will pull a Juan Nicasio and shine during this year’s Spring Training?
In many ways, spring training is the most keenly anticipated part of the MLB season, a time for the true purists. Even those who can’t make it down to Florida during the training season can follow the action and check out how their favorite players are warming up, as well as looking out for rising stars and the performances of new acquisitions.
For the Pirates, spring training is also a chance to put behind them what was ultimately a disappointing 2017 season. The team managed only two days with a winning record, finishing 75-87 and fourth in the Central Division, and improvement is expected this time around.
First up though, there are some exciting games lined up for spring training, including the opening match against the Yankees, which could feature big-hitters Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, followed by the Red Sox and the likes of Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. And for Pirates fans, the concluding two games of spring training against the Phillies provide an early chance to make a statement.
The odds for these games, in which all the teams involved are trying out strategies and warming up for the long season ahead, can be hard to predict, so it is a good idea, if you are thinking of betting on the Pirates during the spring training period, to check out the latest results and team news before you place a bet.
Though the 2017 campaign was ultimately a frustrating one, there were some individual highlights, and in the case of Jameson Taillon, a triumph. Having made his breakthrough in 2016, Taillon was hit with a terrible blow a month into the 2017 season when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Fighting back from that diagnosis to return to the mound just five weeks after surgery was a testament to his determination and courage.
Taillon is one rising star who is ready to play a big part in the 2018 season, as is Gregory Polanco. A shoulder injury badly hampered his 2017 season, but Polanco has left no stone unturned in his determination to resume his upward career trajectory. He resumed training back in October, working with a personal trainer and pounding the beaches of the Dominican Republic. Polanco has said that he feels quicker and leaner this time around, and there is much more to come from the versatile outfielder, who has been told by Clint Hurdle that he will be at right-outfield all season, giving him the chance to grow into the role.
With Starling Marte taking over in center-field from Andrew McCutchen, spring training will be an opportunity for Adam Frazier to make the left-field position his own. Though he can fill in at second base if required, Frazier will be looking to impress in the outfield and in the lead-off spot in the order, where his dynamic intent could be a feature of the matches in the Grapefruit League. In his second full season with the Bucs, we can expect Frazier to make a big push during spring training and show further development.
Another key player to watch this spring is rising star Steven Brault. Perhaps the term rising star is over-selling it, but he has the potential to shake up the rotation, and after being the only lefty under consideration last year, he once again has the attention of the Bucs’ management, having picked up the Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award in 2017. A spot in the rotation could be up for grabs this year, and a strong spring performance would be a good way for Brault to force his way into contention and bolster an exciting pitching unit with plenty of potential.
With the departures of franchise stalwarts McCutchen and Cole, this year’s spring training represents the beginning of a new era, but Hurdle has been keen to emphasize that the team is in Florida to win games and to grow together. While some fans were unhappy with the off-season changes, it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, giving an opportunity for up- and-coming talents within the Pirates’ ranks to show what they can do.
The start of spring training is always an exciting point in the calendar, but this year’s stint in Florida is ripe with potential.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
