Friday, March 4, 2011

Spring Training Races

If Charlie Morton won round 1 of the Lincoln/Morton battle for the 5th spot, Lincoln won round 2. Morton went out and gave up two hit and a run in the first inning. But on the positive side he rebounded from that and threw two more perfect innings. Usually Morton gives up runs in bunches. Limiting it to one run is a positive sign. After all the big question for him is his mental toughness, not his stuff. Lincoln pitches three perfect frames recording another strike out and facing the minimum. Although it bears noting again. Morton has this spot locked up.

Scott Oleson has come out against being the bullpen. He also noted that the Pirates had not talked to him about the bullpen, which means I think he will start the season in AAA as a starter. He has that ability with options left. This also frees up a spot to keep Ascino. Thus the pen will probably be: Hanrahan, Meek, Resop, Biemel, Veras, Ascino, and Karstens. Biemel did get good news on the MRI. So, only one lefty in the pen.

Cory Wimberly continues to get a lot of playing time. He played at second today after spending the last few games in the outfield, but he has failed to get a hit yet. It is starting to look bad for his chances. This means that guys who can play both corners are moving up. Josh Fields, Garrett Atkins, and Steven Pearce (who is working out at third) look like real possibilities. Fields is hitting awful. Pearce is too new to 3B to get a chance. Thus, it looks like Atkins might get the final spot. Although Andy Marte is hitting .375 with a couple of doubles including today's hits that were off Joe Blanton not some AAA guy. So don't rule out a straight up 3B guy just yet since the Pirates do have Jones as well as even Doumit to be 1B. John Bowker is not hitting, nor getting any time at first. I think his chances are going away as well.

Sanchez got a hit today, a double. Good to see him get some time. D'Arnaud is getting a lot of AB's. I don't think it says more than just how incredibly short the Pirates are on middle infield help.

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