PEDRO ALVAREZ MOVES TO FIRST BASE Batting practice is coming to a close, and Pedro Alvarez is still at first base shagging grounders. In less than two hours, he’ll put on his game uniform and play an actual spring-training game. “I’ve been feeling good, feeling pretty comfortable out there,” Alvarez says in the McKechnie Field clubhouse after that game. “I’ve been able to Pedro do that, taking every Alvarez rep at first that I can. But I’ve always done that. I’ve always worked hard regardless of the position. “Whether it’s during batting practice or just playing catch, my priority is making that position as close to second nature as I possibly can.” If the Pirates want to get over the hump this year — win the National League Central Division and become true World Series contenders — they need production both offensively and defensively from their corner infielder who is making the transition
Sean Rodriguez {PIRATES SPRING TRAINING PHOTOS FROM BRADENTON, FL. BY CHARLIE DEITCH}
from third base to first. A 2014 campaign saw Alvarez commit 25 errors — most of them involved horrific, wild throws to first base that sailed all over the infield. And defense wasn’t the only part of his game that suffered. He hit just 18 home runs and managed just 56 RBI after a 2013 season where he hit 36 home runs and 100 RBI. “My goal is to go out there every day and help this team get better and achieve its goals,” Alvarez says. If his problems in the field and at the plate can be solved by simply working harder, then Alvarez should be fine. But the Pirates aren’t leaving anything to chance. They spent $2.5 million in the offseason to sign veteran first-baseman Corey Hart (more info on page 22). And Andrew Lambo — who hasn’t been able to reproduce his monster minor-league power numbers in the majors the past two seasons — has been looking good this spring.
Every team needs a superutility guy. For the Pirates, that used to be Josh Harrison. But his ascension to superstar status left the job wide open. Enter Rodriquez, the former Tampa Bay Ray. In 2014, he had a career season at the plate, but his importance to the Pirates, according to Clint Hurdle, is his “defensive versatility.” Rodriguez is currently listed on the Pirates depth chart as the backup at four different positions. Hurdle says “he has a nose for the ball, he’s confident and can cover seven positions in my mind.”
THE PIRATES MAY HAVE THE BEST OUTFIELD IN BASEBALL Gregory Polanco Starling Marte
Andrew McCutchen
That may be a hard declaration to quantify, but it’s one of Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich. But the combination of those things you know when you see it. McCutchen, Marte and Polanco will be tough to top both in E R O M Any of the Pirates’ three outfielders — from left the field and at the plate. S O T O PH field over to right, respectively, Starling Marte, Andrew All three possess blazing speed on the base paths and E LIN. McCutchen and Gregory Polanco — could play can hit for power. And, as good as McCutchen has been ONw w w centerfield on any other team in the country. with the Pirates, there’s a chance at some point in the next paper pghcitym “I think we have a chance to catch every ball that’s couple of seasons that he will be surpassed by Polanco. While .co hit to the outfield, every ball,” Marte told the Pittsburgh Polanco’s major-league debut last June was much-heralded, Tribune-Review in February. he struggled at times in his 277 plate appearances. But he has There’s certainly competition out there for the best-outfield intangibles — like the ability to produce a five-hit game in just his title. Mainly, the Florida Marlins, a team that features Marcell Ozuna, third big-league appearance — that make you think the sky’s the limit. CONTINUES ON PG. 18
NEWS
+
M A I N F E AT U R E
+
TA S T E
+
MUSIC
+
SCREEN
+
ARTS
+
EVENTS
+
CLASSIFIEDS
17