Friday, March 21, 2008
Pirates hope youth will improve in 2008
By Andrew McLachlan
sports editor
asmsoo6@psu.edu
1035-1324. That is the record of the Pittsburgh
Pirates since 1992, which was the last time they had
a winning record. It has been 16 years and three hat
sizes of Barry Bonds since the Pirates were not even
just a contender, but a team battling .500. Coming
off a 2007 record of 68-94. the Bucco's will try to
turn around the franchise and possibly put together
a winning season.
To have a winning season, the Pirates are going to
have to have three positions, left-field, pitching, and
catcher, improve in 2008. The biggest drop off
from 2006 to 2007 was the play of LF Jason Bay.
Bay, who was a former all-star and rookie of the
year in 2004. is the cornerstone power hitter in the
Pirates lineup, since he was acquired by the Pirates
in 2003. After hitting for .286 average (AVG), with
35 home runs (HR) and 109 runs batted in (RBI) in
"06. Bay saw his production slip ( .247 AVG. 21 HR
and 85 RBI) in ’O7.
Rumors swirled around about a possible trade this
summer that would land a top-end pitcher for Bay.
but the Pirates held on to their left-fielder, hoping
that he can get back on track in ‘OB. If the Pirates
plan to make any noise this year, they will have to
receive better production from Bay.
Since the days of Doug Drabek. Tim Wakefield,
and John Smiley, the Pirate organization has strug
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gled to put together a solid pitching staff, even
though many excellent pitchers (Jason Schmidt.
Bronson Arroyo. Oliver Perez) have come through
the system. Some experts and scouts believe that
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Jason Bay need to get the bat going in 2008
the Pirates might finally have the pitching to get
them to move up in the standings.
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Headlining the Pirates' starting pitching are co
aces lan Snell and Tom Gorzelanny. Snell, who was
recently signed to a five-year extension, put up
respectable numbers (9-12, 3.76 ERA and 177 SO)
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
lan Snell has the potential, but will that be enough?
on a weak
wallet and
Snell will look to improve his win record in ’OB. ’OB
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4.) Pittsburgh (Penguins, Steelers, Pirates)
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2.) Boston (Bruins, Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics)
1,) Philadelphia (Flyers, Eagles, Phillies, 76ers)
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team in ’O7. With more money in his
a chip on his shoulder from last year.
Gorzelanny took the league by storm last season,
putting together a 14-11 record, with an ERA of
3.88 and 135 strikeouts in his first full season in the
major leagues. The Pirates will hope Gorzo’ will
avoid a sophomore slump; otherwise it could be a
long year for the young pitcher.
Rounding out the rest of the starting pitching staff
is Paul Malholm, Matt Morris, and Zach Duke.
Malholm, who showed promise after a rough start
in 'O7, is being counted on by the organization to
finally have a breakout year, which Malholm has
shown potential of having since his rookie year in
‘O6. Morris is the veteran of the staff, who the
Pirates hope to aid their young pitchers and to put
up solid numbers like Morris did with the St. Louis
Cardinals back in 2001. Duke was the ace of the
staff not too long ago, but after two disappointing
season in ’O6-'O7, this might be Duke’s last chance
with the Pirates.
Finally, the catching position has been a problem
since former Pirate Jason Kendall was traded in "04.
The Pirates will look to catchers Ronny Paulino and
Ryan Doumit to carry the load in 'OB and possibly
have a breakout year from at least one of the two
catchers, who both have potential from both sides of
the plate.
With the Pirates still in the rebuilding process...a
16-year rebuilding process...the Pirates’ fans will
hope with a new coaching staff and new ownership,
they will actually have a team that can contend in
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