Spring Training Thoughts

Here is what has become obvious during Spring Training.

1. John Raynor ought to make the team. He was an investment in Rule 5 and currently hitting .385 with two triples.

2. Daniel McCutchen should get the fifth spot. He has done well, but mostly because Hart has been awful. He seems to need more time to work out the new delivery and that needs to be done in Indianapolis.

3. Bobby Crosby should start the season as the starting short stop. Crosby is currently hitting .348 to Cedano's .261. Also Crosby leads in homeruns (3 to 1), RBIs (9 to 2) and has fewer strike outs (1 to 4). Crosby is also a better fielder.

4. Dwelven Young has to make the team even if it means eating a lot of salary for Ramon Vasquez. If Crosby can play 3rd as well as Short then all the positions are covered. Young is on fire. He leads the team with 5 homeruns, 14 RBIs, and 24 Total Bases, not to mention his team leading .900 Slugging and near the top batting average of .367. He defense is good enough and showing signs of improving. Plus, he can then back up two positions (2b and OF). If his bat remains this hot he could see some regular action in the outfield and let Jones play some 1B because Clement is not hitting at all. Oh did I mention Young is a switch hitter with a proven year of pinch hitting. If they keep Vasquez and lose Young because he has no more options then the Pirates can give up on the year because managment already has.

5. Neil Walker is being moved primarily to the outfield. That is a real shame in my opinion because we have such a need at 2B for the next couple of years. The outfield is loaded with people who have a bigger upside than Walker. If you count Raynor then you have not only the starting 3, but Raynor as the back up. Throw in Tabata and you have at least 5 guys ahead of Walker (I am not even going to count Ryan Church). Gorky Hernandez is looming as is Starling Marte if Walker has to wait for a year for the log jam ahead of him to clear out. If he waits much longer than that he might also be staring at Robbie Grossman. The Pirates would have been better to put him back behind the plate. Or as I hoped at second. Walker needs to be traded now rather than take up spots on the 40-Man.