2012 Pittsburgh Pirates Preview: The Outfielders

Andrew McCutchen is considered one of the top CF in the game after just three seasons.

The date was June 4, 2009 and Pirates fans were on the verge of crowning one of the their players as the "face of the franchise".  Nate McLouth had come out of obscurity, beating all of the odds to become an All-Star outfielder for the Pirates.  McLouth had started his career with little fanfare, and slowly earned his way into a starting role.  It seemed that the sky was the limit for McLouth, and his jersey was flying off the shelves at the Pirates Clubhouse Store at PNC Park.  He was likeable, good-looking, and blue-collar - a term that will get you nothing but endearment in the Steel City.  On top of all that, he had just signed an extension that would allow him to stay in Pittsburgh thru 2011 at a rate the Pirates could afford.

On that fateful June day, Pirates fans were shocked to hear that McLouth had been traded to the hated Atlanta Braves, the very team that had hammered the nails into the coffin of their beloved Pirates franchise in 1992.  The Braves were in need of a sparkplug outfielder in their race to beat out the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.  In turn, the Pirates received minor-league OF Gorkys Hernandez, SP Charlie Morton, and minor-league SP Jeff Locke.  A decent haul for the Pirates, in retrospect.  On that day though, Pirates fans and players were steaming mad about a trade that simply did not make any sense for the Pirates. Management had put together a team that was just 6 1/2 games back in the NL Central, why start tearing into the roster now?  McLouth would go on to struggle for two seasons in Atlanta, never regaining the power stroke he had shown during his amazing 2008 season when he had a .276/26/94 line for a team that finished with a record of 67-95, dead last in the division.

The silver lining in the trade for Pittsburgh was the open roster spot.  That roster spot would be used to bring top prospect Andrew McCutchen to the major leagues.  McCutchen had dominated at AAA and was more than ready to assume his spot in the Pirates lineup.  He made his debut the next afternoon against the New York Mets at PNC Park, and wasted no time making his presence felt.  In a 11-6 Pirates victory, McCutchen went 2 for 4 with an RBI, scored 3 runs, and stole his first base in the major leagues.  It was a debut that would be remembered forever by Pirates fans, and as we sit here getting ready to watch McCutchen enter his third full season with the Pirates (he played in only 108 games his rookie year), we all know now what Neil Huntington was thinking on that fateful day he traded away Nate McLouth.  Andrew McCutchen isn't just a good player, he is a GREAT player.  The type of five-tool athlete that comes around once every twenty or so years.  The Pirates enter 2012 with the best Centerfielder in baseball, an All-Star who is ready to make the move into the elite plateau of Major League super-stardom.

McCutchen has been nothing short of amazing in his time with the Pirates, unselfishly allowing himself to be shuffled thru different lineup spots without allowing it to affect his play.  His defense in the outfield has been exceptional, and he has slowly begun to build more power, hitting 23 HR in 2011.  While his .259 batting average was lower than what he has shown during 2009-2010, much can be attributed to the fact that he was often hitting with nobody behind him, and often hitting out of the leadoff spot.  The rest of his 2011 line is fantastic.  .259./.364/.456 for a combined OPS of .820, 34 doubles, and 23 stolen bases round out his All Star season.  There is no doubt that McCutchen is the face of the Pirates franchise, and the leader in an outfield that can not be matched for young talent at the major league level.

Jose Tabata is fully healthy and ready for the start of Spring Training

Pirates fans have been treated to some great Outfield combinations over the years - most recently Bay/McLouth/Nady in 2008.  When you think of great Pirates players, most of them were outfielders for the majority of their careers.  Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, Andy Van Slyke, Brian Giles, and most recently McCutchen were all Pirate All-Star while playing in the outfield.  The historic combinations of the past may end up having a contender for best Pirates outfield EVER at some point in the next few years.  Besides McCutchen, the Pirates are blessed to have the almost-equally talented Jose Tabata, an up and coming Alex Presley, and this season they welcome back the very same player they traded in June 2009 as Nate McLouth comes full circle in an attempt to get his career back on track.

Alex Presley had a magical debut in 2011 in Toronto for the Bucs

It doesn't end there.  The Pirates have no less than three bonafide blue-chip outfield prospects who could be pressing management for a major league trial run as early as this season.  Starling Marte is a 23-year old player in the same mold as McCutchen.  Some scouts have claimed his ceiling is actually above "Cutch", and he will be knocking on the door of the major leagues at some point this season.  Marte suffered a minor groin injury while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, but he should be ready to go next month in Bradenton.  His 2011 season was spent entirely at AA-Altoona where he simply mashed all summer.  He ended the season with a .332/.370/.500 line and pelted 12 HR to combine with his 24 stolen bases.  He will start the season at AAA-Indianapolis, and if he hits as well at that level, he could be in Pittsburgh this season.

Pirates OF prospect Starling Marte

 The Pirates organizational depth is outstanding in the outfield, and Robbie Grossman has opened some eyes over the past year by earning the "Minor League Player of the Year" award from the Pirates front office.  Grossman, who was drafted by the Pirates in the 6th round of the 2008 Amateur Draft, is only 22 years old and spent 2011 with Bradenton of the Florida State League.  This was his second season at that level, after having a mediocre 2010.  In 2011, he figured it all out.  His .294 batting average was combined with 104 walks to give him an incredible .418 OBP.  He showed some power, hitting 13 HR and driving in 56 RBI over 616 plate appearances.  Grossman is ticketed to start 2012 at AA-Altoona, and should be ready to make a roster push by 2013.

The most exciting position prospect the Pirates have in their system hasn't even played in a single professional game yet.  Josh Bell, the enigmatic young Texas high school outfielder the Pirates took a gamble on in last seasons MLB Draft, is ready to begin his career in 2012.  Bell has been touted as a five-tool player who could easily mature into a major power bat.  The Pirates made Bell an offer he could not refuse after the young slugger had informed all major league teams that he would be attending college and not turning pro, which every other team acted on.  The Pirates did not, drafting Bell in the 2nd round when his talent dictated that he should have been a mid-first round selection.  The jury is still out on Bell, but the physical tools are all there.

Josh Bell will begin his pro career in 2012

Still in the mix for the Pirates is Gorkys Hernandez, one of the players acquired in the original Nate McLouth deal back in 2009.  Hernandez has not progressed as well as the Pirates would have hoped, but at just 24 years old and with a full season at AAA under his belt, Hernandez is starting to refine his game.  When he was coming up in the Atlanta system, Hernandez was strictly a "leadoff" type player in the mold of a Nyger Morgan.  He rocketed up the ranks of the Braves farm system on his speed and defense, and as he has matured he has started to become more of a complete player.  Hernandez will never hit for much power with his 185 lb frame, but he could become a nice forth outfielder or trade chip for the Pirates if he breaks out in Indianapolis this season.  He still has time to develop further, and the Pirates scouts seem to have a soft spot for the kid.  He will get a long look in Spring Training and could be a mid-season call up should injuries strike.

Pirates prospect Gorkys Hernandez, seen here with Altoona in 2011.

While the Pirates obviously have a bumper-crop of outfielders making their way towards Pittsburgh, they will begin the 2012 season with Alex Presley starting in left field.  Presley was hitting the cover off the ball in AAA when the Pirates called him up, and he proceeded to start his first prolonged major league run on fire.  He battled injuries throughout the season, but ended up playing in 52 games for the Bucs.  He showed good speed, a solid batting eye (.298 BA) , and even some pop.  His main struggle was putting the ball in play, as he struck out 40 times in 215 at bats.  A full Spring Training and a chance to hone his game over the winter will hopefully bring out the best in Presley.  He is an exciting player to watch, as he plays hard and never fails to give full effort on every play.  He will have McLouth looking over his shoulder, a player who was in almost the exact same situation a number of years ago.  Hopefully the presence of McLouth will act as a motivator for Presley.  If not, McLouth will be ready to assume his spot in left field.

The Pirates have offered minor-league contracts and Spring Training invites to Brandon Boggs, most recently of the Milwaukee Brewers, and Jeff Clement.  Clement was formerly a catcher and first baseman for the Bucs and many moons ago was the top prospect in the Seattle Mariners system.  He is back for camp this season and will be attempting to add outfield to his future role as a utility player.  This is likely the last shot Clement has of enjoying a Major League Spring Training, so expect him to make the most of it.

The outfield situation in Pittsburgh looks to be in good hands for the next decade or so.  It will be fun to watch as some of these younger players make a run at the roster in Bradenton next month.

Thanks for reading, and Lets Go Bucs!