The signing of Jayson Nix in itself isn't a big deal. Nix is a 31 year old super utility guy with a lifetime .226 BA who's been around; Pittsburgh is his seventh team since 2008. He's played third, second short and even a little OF.
The Pirates have a couple of those already in Josh Harrison and Michael Martinez, with Clint Barmes temporarily on ice until his groin tear heals. And that's what makes this a storyline. The Bucs wouldn't sign a player of Nix's pedigree for a spot that's already covered, unless one of those guys was moving. And reading the tea leaves, it sure looks like the little engine that could, Josh Harrison, is becoming Pittsburgh's new full-time third baseman.
It hit the fan Saturday night, though it was a long time in coming (it was only Alvarez's fourth start in 13 games, although there were a lot of lefties on the hill), when Pedro was pulled for Brent Morel in the fifth inning. El Toro went 3-for-3 with errant throws to first, two of which Ike managed to grab and one that sailed over his head. For a team that emphasizes ground ball contact, El Toro's yips have gone beyond an occasional head scratcher to an untenable situation. It appears that he's lost Clint's trust to play the position.
What to do with Pedro? His hitting is pretty much what it is. He's improved his SABRmetric standing, with a career low in strikeout % and career high in walk rate, but that really hasn't nudged his other numbers much from his norms - this year, he's hitting .238 with a BABIP of .284, an OPS of .724 and wRC+ of 106; lifetime, he has a .235 BA, .296 BABIP, .744 OPS and 105 wRC+. In fact, the biggest difference may be in his power stroke - this is the first year he's had an ISO of under .205, at .167. So his more patient, all-field approach may be a feel-good sidebar, but it hasn't translated into shinier numbers.
His paycheck is $4,250,000 with two years of team control remaining through arbitration, which sounds good until you look at his WAR of 0.1, per Fangraphs, which is hardly above Brent Morel's -0.1. His throwing woes have garnered a -10.1 defensive rating at third base per Fangraphs, 132nd out of 132 MLB third basemen.
The pity is that he has worked hard at becoming a good fielder and has only made one of his 24 errors with his glove. But he's lost more baseballs with his arm than with his bat, and that puts his trade value, as the Pirates found out during the deadline, pretty close to non-existent. And despite his scatter shot rifle, Pedro still has upside because of his bat, and the Pirates would like to rebuild his value, not give him away.
The public clamor has always been to switch him to first base, and as a bench guy, he could get some work there now. The ideal situation would be to let him learn the position at Indy or Pirate City, but his options are burned. The club could ease him into a position change beginning right now, but Pittsburgh is reluctant to do that during the season, seeing it as a distraction during a pennant race.
So they'll keep him as a bench bat/spot starter for the time being and play it by ear. No matter what, Pedro should spend the winter acclimating to first base, and the Bucs would have a springtime decision whether he or Ike is the better fit, if not sooner as both are arb-eligible.
For Josh, it's a return to his primary position, one where he's logged over 150 innings this year and played 100 times as a Pirate super sub. He's earned a Fangraphs' defensive rating of 0.8, and he should only get better working at one spot. The Cincinnati Kid has outperformed Pedro in virtually every offensive category and has earned his a shot at the job; there's certainly no one in the system ready to step into the position.
As for the whole Nix-Martinez thing on the bench, that's a non-story. The odds are that one will go when Starling Marte returns and the other when Clint Barmes is ready for action (and both could be ready some time next week), so they're just patches.
Showing posts with label pedro alvarez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pedro alvarez. Show all posts
Monday, August 4, 2014
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The Pedro Conundrum
GM Neal Huntington announced that Pedro Alvarez will start the season with the Bucs in spite of his less than inspiring spring line of .135/2/3 and 18 K in 37 ABs (49%). Hey, we've always said that spring stats aren't worth the newsprint they show up on. But when a 25 year old has been zipped through the minors (El Toro has barely 100 games at the AAA level) and is coming off a .191/4/19 season, they do mean something.
But the meaning is entirely different to the FO and the general fan base. GW casts his vote with the populists: Pedro should start at Indy, based purely on performance and experience. Bucco management begs to differ, and their vote is the one that counts.
There are several reasons for their decision beyond mollycoddling their first-ever primo pick. Pedro is going through some tweaking at the plate, and the Pirate management see mechanical progress in the swing. Their justification is that they'd rather have Alvarez work it out against MLB pitching, exactly the opposite how they felt last season.
Another reason to keep Pedro here is because, well, the replacements aren't really all that much better. Casey McGehee, Josh Harrison, Yamaiko Navarro and Matt Hague aren't exactly Mike Schmidt reincarnations. And there is no question that the September 2010 Alvarez is something the Pirate lineup desperately lacks: middle of the order presence.
Which segues to upside. The Pirate brass are counting on Pedro's pedigree to rise to the top. While his recent game performance leaves something to be desired, he's still crushin' the horsehide at BP. If you need reminded of the value of a guy that can go yard in a hurry, remember that the Pittsburgh cleanup hitter this spring has been Neil Walker, who averages 12 HR and 75 RBI in his career.
And it's tough to argue with that logic. With his potential and no real replacement on the horizon, the team figures it might as well take its shot with Pedro on the big team. We have to wonder, though, about how the Pirates have handled Pedro. Last year it was tough love; this year it's kid gloves. Maybe after he refused to play winter ball, the Bucs decided it was easier to just get along than butt heads.
The results of the Bucco's faith should be apparent by June or July. Either Pedro will be rehabilitated or his last option will be burned. We're hoping the FO is right this time. The Pirate future is much brighter with a productive Pedro than with a Plan B.
Other news:
But the meaning is entirely different to the FO and the general fan base. GW casts his vote with the populists: Pedro should start at Indy, based purely on performance and experience. Bucco management begs to differ, and their vote is the one that counts.
There are several reasons for their decision beyond mollycoddling their first-ever primo pick. Pedro is going through some tweaking at the plate, and the Pirate management see mechanical progress in the swing. Their justification is that they'd rather have Alvarez work it out against MLB pitching, exactly the opposite how they felt last season.
Another reason to keep Pedro here is because, well, the replacements aren't really all that much better. Casey McGehee, Josh Harrison, Yamaiko Navarro and Matt Hague aren't exactly Mike Schmidt reincarnations. And there is no question that the September 2010 Alvarez is something the Pirate lineup desperately lacks: middle of the order presence.
Which segues to upside. The Pirate brass are counting on Pedro's pedigree to rise to the top. While his recent game performance leaves something to be desired, he's still crushin' the horsehide at BP. If you need reminded of the value of a guy that can go yard in a hurry, remember that the Pittsburgh cleanup hitter this spring has been Neil Walker, who averages 12 HR and 75 RBI in his career.
And it's tough to argue with that logic. With his potential and no real replacement on the horizon, the team figures it might as well take its shot with Pedro on the big team. We have to wonder, though, about how the Pirates have handled Pedro. Last year it was tough love; this year it's kid gloves. Maybe after he refused to play winter ball, the Bucs decided it was easier to just get along than butt heads.
The results of the Bucco's faith should be apparent by June or July. Either Pedro will be rehabilitated or his last option will be burned. We're hoping the FO is right this time. The Pirate future is much brighter with a productive Pedro than with a Plan B.
Other news:
- Yamiako Navarro was clocked in the elbow with a pitch yesterday against the Phillies. The extent of his injury should be known today.
- 28 year old Steve Pearce was released by the Twins. The infielder spent part of five season with the Bucs, but every time he was poised to make a move, his body broke down. He was an eighth round pick for Pittsburgh in the 2005 draft.
- Aaron Thompson, who pitched a few innings for the Bucs last year, was suspended by the league for 50 games after his second drug violation. It was for a "drug of abuse" rather than a PED, meaning he was busted for using a recreational drug.
- Tim Williams of Pirate Prospects reports that the Pirates have released eight players. The most notable is last year's Rule 5 pick, Josh Rodriguez.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Camp Questions - Pedro Alvarez
Camp opened yesterday, and all but one guy (Anderson Hernandez, with visa problems, reported today) was there. For some, spring training is just an opportunity to get back into the rhythm of baseball, but for others, it's the first step in resolving some questions. The Pirates are generally loaded with the latter. None loom larger this season than the Pedro Alvarez enigma.
Can Alvarez, 25, develop into the middle of the order bat the Pirates need? Last year, he couldn't decide if he wanted to be patient or aggressive at bat, and it led to a disastrous .191/4/19 line and an OPS of 56, with 100 being the league norm. To boot, he was injured for a good chunk of the year, and ended up with a UZR/150 of -2.8 and a WAR of -0.8.
We remember the template too well - watch the first pitch go by on the outside corner for strike one, swing over an off speed pitch, and try to work out of an 0-2 hole. He was in that count 28% of his at-bats last year, and batted .077 with a 55% K rate. What a difference a year makes.
In 2010, he looked alright in July and August, with a line of .252/.336/.435 with 10 HR and 32 RBI in 190 ABs before breaking out in September, finishing with a 1.6 WAR. His Isolated Power rating (ISO) was an excellent .205, and his fly ball to home runs worked out at a strong 17.6% The Pirates will take that gladly this year. 2011's numbers dropped drastically in the power department, with an .098 ISO and 10.3% HR/FB ratio.
His plate discipline will be crucial. Last year, he had two strike counts in 151 of his 236 (64%) plate appearances, which matches up with his first-strike takes (61%, not an overly high number). He hit .094 in those situations with an OBP of .172 (13 hits, 12 walks). In his strike-or-less appearances, his average was .278. In 2010, he had 2 strikes on him a more reasonable 54% of the time, but still hit just .130 with a .194 OBP.
So it's not a new development, and it's trending the wrong way. For El Toro, it's a simple enough matter: figure out the strike zone and stay aggressive within it, especially when down in the count. Easier said than done, especially for a young power hitter.
The problem isn't that he swings at more pitches off the plate than most guys; his career average matches the MLB standards. It's that he misses them at a much greater rate - he swings through 44% of them, while the league average is about 35%, indicative of some real fishing at the dish. His impatience with two strikes really shows, both in that swing-and-miss rate and his career 31% K rate.
His rebound is a key to the Pirate batting order. If Pedro can be plugged into the four-five spot, it's easier for Hurdle to cover the black hole at 7-8-9. Conceding an inning is hard enough on a lineup; conceding the final four batters is murder.
It got so bad last year that in the off season, the Rockies were said to be trawling the trade waters for Pedro, hoping the FO would cut ties and sell him low. Not much chance of that after the money and effort they've invested in him, not to mention his potential upside on a team that needs a guy whose fly balls the fences can't hold.
He's signed for $700K this year and has two club options for the same amount in 2013-14 (although he can void an option when he becomes arbitration eligible), so he's under team control for awhile yet. It's too soon to give up on him - remember Jose Bautista? - but after being caught without a Plan B at the hot corner last year, the FO brought in Casey McGehee this season. Their patience with Alvarez is not infinite, as they showed last year.
The $6M question this camp is will Pedro Alvarez become the next Jose Bautista, the next Ian Stewart, or something in between? The timeline for the Pirates' return to respectability depends on the answer.
Can Alvarez, 25, develop into the middle of the order bat the Pirates need? Last year, he couldn't decide if he wanted to be patient or aggressive at bat, and it led to a disastrous .191/4/19 line and an OPS of 56, with 100 being the league norm. To boot, he was injured for a good chunk of the year, and ended up with a UZR/150 of -2.8 and a WAR of -0.8.
We remember the template too well - watch the first pitch go by on the outside corner for strike one, swing over an off speed pitch, and try to work out of an 0-2 hole. He was in that count 28% of his at-bats last year, and batted .077 with a 55% K rate. What a difference a year makes.
In 2010, he looked alright in July and August, with a line of .252/.336/.435 with 10 HR and 32 RBI in 190 ABs before breaking out in September, finishing with a 1.6 WAR. His Isolated Power rating (ISO) was an excellent .205, and his fly ball to home runs worked out at a strong 17.6% The Pirates will take that gladly this year. 2011's numbers dropped drastically in the power department, with an .098 ISO and 10.3% HR/FB ratio.
His plate discipline will be crucial. Last year, he had two strike counts in 151 of his 236 (64%) plate appearances, which matches up with his first-strike takes (61%, not an overly high number). He hit .094 in those situations with an OBP of .172 (13 hits, 12 walks). In his strike-or-less appearances, his average was .278. In 2010, he had 2 strikes on him a more reasonable 54% of the time, but still hit just .130 with a .194 OBP.
So it's not a new development, and it's trending the wrong way. For El Toro, it's a simple enough matter: figure out the strike zone and stay aggressive within it, especially when down in the count. Easier said than done, especially for a young power hitter.
The problem isn't that he swings at more pitches off the plate than most guys; his career average matches the MLB standards. It's that he misses them at a much greater rate - he swings through 44% of them, while the league average is about 35%, indicative of some real fishing at the dish. His impatience with two strikes really shows, both in that swing-and-miss rate and his career 31% K rate.
His rebound is a key to the Pirate batting order. If Pedro can be plugged into the four-five spot, it's easier for Hurdle to cover the black hole at 7-8-9. Conceding an inning is hard enough on a lineup; conceding the final four batters is murder.
It got so bad last year that in the off season, the Rockies were said to be trawling the trade waters for Pedro, hoping the FO would cut ties and sell him low. Not much chance of that after the money and effort they've invested in him, not to mention his potential upside on a team that needs a guy whose fly balls the fences can't hold.
He's signed for $700K this year and has two club options for the same amount in 2013-14 (although he can void an option when he becomes arbitration eligible), so he's under team control for awhile yet. It's too soon to give up on him - remember Jose Bautista? - but after being caught without a Plan B at the hot corner last year, the FO brought in Casey McGehee this season. Their patience with Alvarez is not infinite, as they showed last year.
The $6M question this camp is will Pedro Alvarez become the next Jose Bautista, the next Ian Stewart, or something in between? The timeline for the Pirates' return to respectability depends on the answer.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Pedro: Not Time To Panic
OK, Pedro Alvavrez was raking in Indy, and though he still had holes in his game, the FO brought him up last month. They had concerns - he was in 0-2 holes in nearly a third of his AAA at-bats, and that is a recipe for disaster in the show - but the combination of need and Alvarez's continuing professional education made the move timely.
Third base was a black hole offensively for the run-challenged Pirates. Pedro had a miserable start and got hurt. Brandon Wood and Josh Harrison, along with occasional outings by Steve Pearce, Chase d'Arnaud and Pedro Ciriaco, tried to plug the hole. Wood came the closest to taking over; his average was dreadful, but he had some pop and a decent glove. Harrison provided a better stick and speed, but came with shaky leather, non-existent plate discipline and a resulting OBP that only his mom could love.
Faced with a continued Wood/Harrison platoon - and they were both in danger of losing the spot to d'Arnaud, until he broke his finger - or the opportunity to get Pedro back in the swing of things, the brass went with the Pedro option.
We agreed with the move then, and agree with it now. Pedro had a line of .365/.461/.587 with an OPS of 1.048 at Indy. In spite of obvious problems with staying within the strike zone, he struck out 18 times in 76 plate appearances, a bearable 24% rate. His plate discipline certainly needed work, but would he see the type of pitching at Indy that he needed to improve his eye? Probably not; there's a reason pitchers are in AAA instead of the show.
So with a couple of misgivings, Pedro reclaimed the hot corner. He's shown bursts of pitch recognition, but has been caught in a whirlpool of speed-of-light adjustments made by MLB pitchers, much the same as happened at various points to McCutch and Neil Walker.
Pitchers welcomed him back with the usual array of stuff riding outside the zone; he laid off it, waiting for a strike before unleashing his stick. They caught on quickly enough and started pumping their first offering down the middle to get ahead of him. Pedro countered by getting aggressive early, and the pitchers responded by staying at the edges of the strike zone to get him fishing.
And the first pitch is huge. When Pedro falls behind 0-1, he hits .160 and K's 43% of the time. At 1-0, he hits .292 with a 25% strikeout rate. So the results of an at-bat are often determined by whether the batter or hitter claims the first pitch edge. (he's a .400 hitter when he puts the first pitch in play, if you're curious).
The cat-and-mouse game goes on day in and day out, and is a familiar one to every MLB hitter. Pedro's struggles with catching up to the tricks of the trade are no different of those pangs suffered by Jose Bautista and Aramis Ramirez in their early years, as pointed out by Tim Williams of Pirates Prospects in his recent post.
Everyone goes through the learning pangs; both Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen have had long streaks of futility until they finally worked out the program pitchers were using against them.
One thing the Pirates could do to ease Pedro's load is to give him a blow against lefties, as they did Saturday. He has shown noticeable splits across the board in his short career, including average, power, and strikeouts.
Is Pedro Alvarez gonna figure it out and become the middle-of-the-order presence that Pittsburgh has lacked since Brian Giles? Well, maybe. That page has yet to be written. He could end up being another A-Ram, or maybe another Jeff King, the first selection taken in 1986 who had a long and steady career, or maybe he'll just wash out.
But the history of second round picks suggests that he's just going through a learning period now. That round has produced guys like Mike Moustakis, Alex Gordon, Rickie Weeks and BJ Upton in the past decade among position players, and highly selected hitters are more likely to succeed than pitchers among top draft picks. The caveat: power guys usually take a little longer than the contact hitters.
We understand the fans' reaction to Pedro starting off slowly. He still has doubters after his midnight madness signing antic, and has been pushed relentlessly as the savior of the Pirates punch-and-judy attack. Pittsburgh's followers have high expectations for Alvarez, and people are frustrated and impatient now after his hot September and the Pirates recent slide.
Only time will tell if he's the answer. But it's way too early in his career to be calling for his head; give the kid a chance to show what kind of player he'll become.
Third base was a black hole offensively for the run-challenged Pirates. Pedro had a miserable start and got hurt. Brandon Wood and Josh Harrison, along with occasional outings by Steve Pearce, Chase d'Arnaud and Pedro Ciriaco, tried to plug the hole. Wood came the closest to taking over; his average was dreadful, but he had some pop and a decent glove. Harrison provided a better stick and speed, but came with shaky leather, non-existent plate discipline and a resulting OBP that only his mom could love.
Faced with a continued Wood/Harrison platoon - and they were both in danger of losing the spot to d'Arnaud, until he broke his finger - or the opportunity to get Pedro back in the swing of things, the brass went with the Pedro option.
We agreed with the move then, and agree with it now. Pedro had a line of .365/.461/.587 with an OPS of 1.048 at Indy. In spite of obvious problems with staying within the strike zone, he struck out 18 times in 76 plate appearances, a bearable 24% rate. His plate discipline certainly needed work, but would he see the type of pitching at Indy that he needed to improve his eye? Probably not; there's a reason pitchers are in AAA instead of the show.
So with a couple of misgivings, Pedro reclaimed the hot corner. He's shown bursts of pitch recognition, but has been caught in a whirlpool of speed-of-light adjustments made by MLB pitchers, much the same as happened at various points to McCutch and Neil Walker.
Pitchers welcomed him back with the usual array of stuff riding outside the zone; he laid off it, waiting for a strike before unleashing his stick. They caught on quickly enough and started pumping their first offering down the middle to get ahead of him. Pedro countered by getting aggressive early, and the pitchers responded by staying at the edges of the strike zone to get him fishing.
And the first pitch is huge. When Pedro falls behind 0-1, he hits .160 and K's 43% of the time. At 1-0, he hits .292 with a 25% strikeout rate. So the results of an at-bat are often determined by whether the batter or hitter claims the first pitch edge. (he's a .400 hitter when he puts the first pitch in play, if you're curious).
The cat-and-mouse game goes on day in and day out, and is a familiar one to every MLB hitter. Pedro's struggles with catching up to the tricks of the trade are no different of those pangs suffered by Jose Bautista and Aramis Ramirez in their early years, as pointed out by Tim Williams of Pirates Prospects in his recent post.
Everyone goes through the learning pangs; both Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen have had long streaks of futility until they finally worked out the program pitchers were using against them.
One thing the Pirates could do to ease Pedro's load is to give him a blow against lefties, as they did Saturday. He has shown noticeable splits across the board in his short career, including average, power, and strikeouts.
Is Pedro Alvarez gonna figure it out and become the middle-of-the-order presence that Pittsburgh has lacked since Brian Giles? Well, maybe. That page has yet to be written. He could end up being another A-Ram, or maybe another Jeff King, the first selection taken in 1986 who had a long and steady career, or maybe he'll just wash out.
But the history of second round picks suggests that he's just going through a learning period now. That round has produced guys like Mike Moustakis, Alex Gordon, Rickie Weeks and BJ Upton in the past decade among position players, and highly selected hitters are more likely to succeed than pitchers among top draft picks. The caveat: power guys usually take a little longer than the contact hitters.
We understand the fans' reaction to Pedro starting off slowly. He still has doubters after his midnight madness signing antic, and has been pushed relentlessly as the savior of the Pirates punch-and-judy attack. Pittsburgh's followers have high expectations for Alvarez, and people are frustrated and impatient now after his hot September and the Pirates recent slide.
Only time will tell if he's the answer. But it's way too early in his career to be calling for his head; give the kid a chance to show what kind of player he'll become.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Pedro Back, Presley Gone
The Bucs recalled Pedro from Indy today, and cleared space on the 25-man roster by DL'ing Alex Presley.
Pedro hit .365/3/13 in 18 games for Indy this season. He left the big team with a quad problem on May 20th, injured it again at Bradenton, and finally came off the DL July 9th, when he was optioned to the minors. The Pirates felt he was pulling the ball way too much, an occupational hazard of PNC Park, and wanted him to work on using the whole field.
Apparently, they believe that he's ready to go with the pitch, and if he plays like the September 2010 Pedro, he could be the big bat they need. Before the injury he wasn't, hitting just .208/2/10 in 138 PAs. In his rookie season of 2010, El Toro hit .264/16/64.
It'll be interesting to see if they platoon Alvarez in Pittsburgh this season. His splits were .417 v RHP but just .235 v LHP at Indy.
Presley was coming into his own at the leadoff spot, hitting .333 with a .402 OBP and fielding the ball well. He jammed his hand on Friday against the Cards. The Pirates feared it was going to be a week to ten days before he would be back from what's officially being called a left hand contusion, but it's probably a pinched nerve. The DL date will be retroactive to Saturday, July 23rd, meaning he'll be out until August 7th.
Presley hit .262 during his 2010 September call-up, and was the organization's "Player of the Year" for 2010.
Pedro hit .365/3/13 in 18 games for Indy this season. He left the big team with a quad problem on May 20th, injured it again at Bradenton, and finally came off the DL July 9th, when he was optioned to the minors. The Pirates felt he was pulling the ball way too much, an occupational hazard of PNC Park, and wanted him to work on using the whole field.
Apparently, they believe that he's ready to go with the pitch, and if he plays like the September 2010 Pedro, he could be the big bat they need. Before the injury he wasn't, hitting just .208/2/10 in 138 PAs. In his rookie season of 2010, El Toro hit .264/16/64.
It'll be interesting to see if they platoon Alvarez in Pittsburgh this season. His splits were .417 v RHP but just .235 v LHP at Indy.
Presley was coming into his own at the leadoff spot, hitting .333 with a .402 OBP and fielding the ball well. He jammed his hand on Friday against the Cards. The Pirates feared it was going to be a week to ten days before he would be back from what's officially being called a left hand contusion, but it's probably a pinched nerve. The DL date will be retroactive to Saturday, July 23rd, meaning he'll be out until August 7th.
Presley hit .262 during his 2010 September call-up, and was the organization's "Player of the Year" for 2010.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Ready For Pedro
OK, going into the season third base was Pedro Alvarez's spot for as long as the Bucs could afford him, right? Well, maybe, but the journey has taken a couple of unexpected twists and turns.
Alvarez joined the youth core that the Bucs called up last year as they began their transition after an almost complete housesweeping by the FO. After posting a .256/16/64 line in 2010 with a 113 OPS+ and 1.6 WAR, fueled by a late season surge, El Toro was poised to join McCutch, Jose Tabata and Neil Walker as the heart of the Buccos going forward.
Oh, there were still a couple of lingering questions. Would his glove play? Would his conditioning improve a couple of ticks? Were his stats driven by beating up September call-up pitching? None looked like they would be answered in the negative or present any major bumps in the road.
He did come to camp looking bigger, but that become a tempest in a teapot sidebar. Pedro's weight was about the same as last season, despite reports that he had porked up. The truth was that he had actually done some off season work and packed on some muscle, and that couldn't be a bad thing for a clean up hitter. His glove looked adequate, and there was no question that he had the arm to play the hot corner, although the smart money was on him eventually moving across the diamond.
But the questions about his swing did continue. He hit .250 in the spring, and his 27 K's in 68 ABs showed there were still some serious holes to address. The season was even worse. Alvarez had some nagging injuries to work through, but they didn't explain the .208/2/10 line. Strikeouts continued at a 30% rate. Finally, in May, he was placed on the DL with a quad injury, and that dragged on when he aggravated it again in June.
Finally, in early July, he was ready to return. Guess what? The Bucs didn't want him. In a bombshell of a move, the offensively challenged Pirates sent their potentially biggest bat back to Indy, even though he had hit .294 with an .821 OPS in his week of rehab work there.
“Pedro remains a big part of our future, but we believe making this move is the best way to get him back on track offensively and defensively so that he can help us win games at the Major League level,” said General Manager Neal Huntington in the team release.
Well, OK, sending a message and getting El Toro some reps in one fell swoop isn't necessarily a bad thing. And so far, it's worked. Reports say that he's playing third pretty well, and his line to date is .339/2/10 in 56 ABs.
The Pirate concern, despite those numbers, is that Pedro's gone pull happy, and that's something they want to put to bed before he returns to Pittsburgh. And that's a legitimate concern; look what it's done to Garrett Jones.
But here's the conundrum. How much can Indy at-bats help him to overcome that flaw? His strike out rate is 25%, a bit under his average, and his walk rate is 16%, way over his average. What incentive is there to keep him at Indy, where the AAA pitchers work around him? His swing works fine in the minors, so how much tweaking can you expect during his stay?
Add in that Pittsburgh is currently filling in his position with Brandon Wood and Chase d'Arnaud, who are both hitting .215, barely better than Alvarez's weak 2011 line (although the position is ripe for Steve Pearce to get some time at the hot corner now that he's back.)
Hey, we applaud the Bucs for looking at the long term and sending Pedro back to the bushes in an effort to hone his game into MLB quality both mentally and physically. But the challenge to improve just isn't there. There are two options that we see.
The first is to deal for a third baseman and begin Alvarez's transition to first at Indy; it's not like Lyle Overbay is exactly Albert Pujols Jr. The Bucs haven't really shown much inclination toward that direction, and with good cause. There's no big bopper to play the hot corner in the organization, the market has very slim pickings, and first base is deeper in the system than third, so Pedro hasn't taken so much as a practice ball at first that we're aware of.
The other is to bring him back and mold him in the MLB crucible where the pitchers aren't afraid to feed him sliders and curves away with the occasional heater on the hands. We don't think that's rushing him back, but rather just another step in his learning process.
With Steve Pearce again on the 25 man roster, they could ease Pedro in slowly as a platoon guy if they want. But whether he's manning third every day or just against righties, the Bucs have a huge hole in the middle of their order that only Pedro has the potential to fill from within.
It's time to bring Pedro Alvarez back for both this season's run and for the future of the team.
Alvarez joined the youth core that the Bucs called up last year as they began their transition after an almost complete housesweeping by the FO. After posting a .256/16/64 line in 2010 with a 113 OPS+ and 1.6 WAR, fueled by a late season surge, El Toro was poised to join McCutch, Jose Tabata and Neil Walker as the heart of the Buccos going forward.
Oh, there were still a couple of lingering questions. Would his glove play? Would his conditioning improve a couple of ticks? Were his stats driven by beating up September call-up pitching? None looked like they would be answered in the negative or present any major bumps in the road.
He did come to camp looking bigger, but that become a tempest in a teapot sidebar. Pedro's weight was about the same as last season, despite reports that he had porked up. The truth was that he had actually done some off season work and packed on some muscle, and that couldn't be a bad thing for a clean up hitter. His glove looked adequate, and there was no question that he had the arm to play the hot corner, although the smart money was on him eventually moving across the diamond.
But the questions about his swing did continue. He hit .250 in the spring, and his 27 K's in 68 ABs showed there were still some serious holes to address. The season was even worse. Alvarez had some nagging injuries to work through, but they didn't explain the .208/2/10 line. Strikeouts continued at a 30% rate. Finally, in May, he was placed on the DL with a quad injury, and that dragged on when he aggravated it again in June.
Finally, in early July, he was ready to return. Guess what? The Bucs didn't want him. In a bombshell of a move, the offensively challenged Pirates sent their potentially biggest bat back to Indy, even though he had hit .294 with an .821 OPS in his week of rehab work there.
“Pedro remains a big part of our future, but we believe making this move is the best way to get him back on track offensively and defensively so that he can help us win games at the Major League level,” said General Manager Neal Huntington in the team release.
Well, OK, sending a message and getting El Toro some reps in one fell swoop isn't necessarily a bad thing. And so far, it's worked. Reports say that he's playing third pretty well, and his line to date is .339/2/10 in 56 ABs.
The Pirate concern, despite those numbers, is that Pedro's gone pull happy, and that's something they want to put to bed before he returns to Pittsburgh. And that's a legitimate concern; look what it's done to Garrett Jones.
But here's the conundrum. How much can Indy at-bats help him to overcome that flaw? His strike out rate is 25%, a bit under his average, and his walk rate is 16%, way over his average. What incentive is there to keep him at Indy, where the AAA pitchers work around him? His swing works fine in the minors, so how much tweaking can you expect during his stay?
Add in that Pittsburgh is currently filling in his position with Brandon Wood and Chase d'Arnaud, who are both hitting .215, barely better than Alvarez's weak 2011 line (although the position is ripe for Steve Pearce to get some time at the hot corner now that he's back.)
Hey, we applaud the Bucs for looking at the long term and sending Pedro back to the bushes in an effort to hone his game into MLB quality both mentally and physically. But the challenge to improve just isn't there. There are two options that we see.
The first is to deal for a third baseman and begin Alvarez's transition to first at Indy; it's not like Lyle Overbay is exactly Albert Pujols Jr. The Bucs haven't really shown much inclination toward that direction, and with good cause. There's no big bopper to play the hot corner in the organization, the market has very slim pickings, and first base is deeper in the system than third, so Pedro hasn't taken so much as a practice ball at first that we're aware of.
The other is to bring him back and mold him in the MLB crucible where the pitchers aren't afraid to feed him sliders and curves away with the occasional heater on the hands. We don't think that's rushing him back, but rather just another step in his learning process.
With Steve Pearce again on the 25 man roster, they could ease Pedro in slowly as a platoon guy if they want. But whether he's manning third every day or just against righties, the Bucs have a huge hole in the middle of their order that only Pedro has the potential to fill from within.
It's time to bring Pedro Alvarez back for both this season's run and for the future of the team.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Pedro Sent to Indy
The beat gang is reporting that the Pirates have removed Pedro Alvarez from the DL and sent him to Indy. GM Neal Huntington said the move was made to get El Toro "back on track offensively and defensively."
And ya know what? We're fine with that. The Bucs this year have finally quit playing lip service to "accountability" and put teeth into the concept. Hey, even McCutch got sat down. If the FO thinks Pedro needs to get his game back up to speed, so be it. Josh Harrison and Brandon Wood have filled in adequately in his absence.
Not only does this send a message to Alvarez and the whole organization, but it does open up some possibilities. The Bucs have been open in their search for a stick, focusing according to media reports on first basemen. It'll be interesting to see if Pedro gets any reps at first while he's at Indy. Maybe they've found a third baseman that fills the 2011 bill (or beyond) and comes at a cost they're willing to pay.
Or maybe he just needs some work after a long layoff. We'll see how it plays out. But it's another indicator that this Pirate team isn't the same ol' Bucs. And that can't be bad.
And ya know what? We're fine with that. The Bucs this year have finally quit playing lip service to "accountability" and put teeth into the concept. Hey, even McCutch got sat down. If the FO thinks Pedro needs to get his game back up to speed, so be it. Josh Harrison and Brandon Wood have filled in adequately in his absence.
Not only does this send a message to Alvarez and the whole organization, but it does open up some possibilities. The Bucs have been open in their search for a stick, focusing according to media reports on first basemen. It'll be interesting to see if Pedro gets any reps at first while he's at Indy. Maybe they've found a third baseman that fills the 2011 bill (or beyond) and comes at a cost they're willing to pay.
Or maybe he just needs some work after a long layoff. We'll see how it plays out. But it's another indicator that this Pirate team isn't the same ol' Bucs. And that can't be bad.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Pedro on 15 Day DL; Ciriaco Called Up
Colin Dunlap of the Post Gazette confirmed today's rumor de jour that Pedro Alvarez is going on the DL for his quad tightness. Pedro first suffered the injury a couple of weeks ago, and rather than let it continue to nag him, the Bucs decided to shut El Toro down for awhile and as a secondary benefit, get him some extra cage time.
Pedro Ciriaco is on his way to Pittsburgh from Scranton to take his spot. Ciriaco hit .281 at Indy last year and was 3-for-6 in September for the big club, but is hitting just .190 this year at Indy. He's a free swinger that rarely walks, but a plus gloveman and runs well.
EDIT - it may be a premature announcement; Jen Langosh of MLB.com says the move isn't kosher yet; the timing of the official designation probably depends on whether Ciriaco can get to town quickly enough to dress for tonight's game.
And as she reports, the FO once again went out of their way with the smoke and mirrors for what should have been a straightforward announcement. Geez, they must think they're in the NHL (or Little League)!
FINAL EDIT - He was put on the DL a little before six tonight.
Pedro Ciriaco is on his way to Pittsburgh from Scranton to take his spot. Ciriaco hit .281 at Indy last year and was 3-for-6 in September for the big club, but is hitting just .190 this year at Indy. He's a free swinger that rarely walks, but a plus gloveman and runs well.
EDIT - it may be a premature announcement; Jen Langosh of MLB.com says the move isn't kosher yet; the timing of the official designation probably depends on whether Ciriaco can get to town quickly enough to dress for tonight's game.
And as she reports, the FO once again went out of their way with the smoke and mirrors for what should have been a straightforward announcement. Geez, they must think they're in the NHL (or Little League)!
FINAL EDIT - He was put on the DL a little before six tonight.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
SI Fantasizes About Pedro & McCutch
-- Sports Illustrated ran a piece about 2011's Fantasy Baseball selections; they were high on Pedro Alvarez, saying "He was labeled the top hitter of his draft class and he showed plenty of power in his first two-thirds of a season. His first full season could produce 25-plus homers and 100 RBI."
-- In another fantasy-related piece by SI, Eric Mack picked Andrew McCutchen as one of the NL Central's breakout players. He wrote "This is a real talented 24-year old just scratching the surface."
-- In another fantasy-related piece by SI, Eric Mack picked Andrew McCutchen as one of the NL Central's breakout players. He wrote "This is a real talented 24-year old just scratching the surface."
Friday, January 8, 2010
Pedro
Hey, Washington Heights in Manhattan is noted for many things, some cool and some that aren't all that savory. But it was home to one of baseball's hallowed fields, the Polo Grounds, where Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, and Tom Seaver once strutted their stuff.
The Heights was also the nest where a couple of pretty fair major league careers were hatched; those of Manny Ramirez and Rod Carew. The Pirates are hoping to add a third name to Washington Heights' MLB honor roll, Pedro Alvarez.
Alvarez, who will be 23 in February, was a high school phenom. In his senior year of 2005, he set records for his team, Horace Mann, an independent prep school, in home runs, batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and RBIs. Alvarez was named the Louisville Slugger and Gatorade New York Athlete of the Year and was on LS's All-America squad.
He also took his summer club team, the Bayside Yankees, to a national title in 2005. The Red Sox drafted him in the fourteenth round after that season, as he was ranked as the 97th best pro prospect in the country by BA. The Sox offered him a bonus said to be $775K, but Alvarez opted to honor his commitment to Vanderbilt. Good move. It's not often the Pirates outbid the boys from Boston for a player.
He got off to a scorching start at Vandy and was picked as BA's National Freshman of the Year in 2006. Alvarez was then selected to the USA National team, leading the team in batting average. Baseball America ranked him as the 2nd best pro prospect on the squad. Sports Illustrated ranked him as the best pro prospect on the team and said that he was the "early favorite to be drafted first in 2008."
Before the 2007 campaign began Alvarez was named to the watchlist for the SEC and national player of the year awards and a pre-season All-America. Alvarez lived up to the hype, hitting .397 with 17 home runs, 65 RBI, 72 runs, an on-base percentage of .467, and a slugging percentage of .706 for the 51-11 Commodores.
Vanderbilt won its first ever SEC regular-season championship that year. During the SEC Tournament, Alvarez was named Tournament MVP. He was invited back to Team USA and led the team in homers, RBIs, batting average, hits, and slugging percentage.
He was first team All-America for three publications, and second-team on another pair before the 2008 season. Hey, even Dave Littlefield knew this kid could play, although we shudder to think who the Bucs would have picked if the new suits hadn't come aboard.
Alvarez kept raking as a junior, but he suffered a broken hamate bone, which sapped a lot of his power that season and took him out of the lineup for several weeks.
Maybe because of that (or the dreaded signability issue), Tampa Bay led off the 2008 draft by picking high school shortstop Tim Beckham, and the new Pirate front office earned huge cred among the long-suffering fans by taking Alvarez next.
Ah, but no one anticipated the upcoming drama. Scott Boras dragged the negotiations out to the midnight hour, when the Pirates announced they signed Alvarez to a $6M contract. After a few days of silence, Boras claimed that the ink dried two minutes late. The deal was no deal according to his calculations.
The whole affair was dumped in the league office's lap and went in front of a judge. But again, at the last minute, Alvarez and Boras relented and signed a new contract worth $6.35M. Why the brinkmanship?
As near as GW can figure, it was because Buster Posey got a $6.2M bonus in 2008, the highest ever before Steven Strasburg and Dustin Ackley bettered that number in 2009. So not only did Boras get the richest bonus up to that time, but he set the bar higher for the upcoming rooks. Devil or angel, he can sure work the system.
Of course, others rightly point out that the union filed the grievance, not the agent, and it was to uphold the contract, as the league had always allowed a little wiggle room for late signings and they didn't want to upset the apple cart. Apparently, both sides were leery of the ramifications of a binding decision, so they settled before a verdict was rendered. Machiavelli could be a GM today.
Anyway, 2008 was a lost year professionally for Alvarez, who bore the brunt of Boras' machinations. The Bucs front office didn't help by darkly muttering about his uncanny resemblance to the Sta-Puf Marshmallow Man. In fact, Alvarez didn't stay in shape because of a bout of tendinitis in his knees; he's in much better condition now that his knees have calmed down and he's on a structured program.
The draft flap was much ado about nothing. By all accounts, Pedro is a good kid, hard worker, and an academic whiz. Still, he bore the onus of being an ornery Boras client in the short term while losing what should have been his rookie season.
But everyone, from Neal Huntington to Scott Boras to Joe Fan knew that his public persona would eventually be linked to his performance. And hey, he's done a pretty good job of earning a little love lately.
After tearing it up in training camp, Alvarez was assigned to High A Lynchburg. He was productive, with 14 homers and 55 RBI in 243 at-bats, although he was hitting just .247. No problem; he was moved on to Altoona.
Alvarez hit .333/.419/.590 for the Curve with an OPS of 1.009, whacking 13 homers and driving home 40 in 222 at-bats. His overall maiden line was .288/.378/.535 with a .913 OPS, 32 doubles, 129 K's and 71 walks in 465 at-bats. And while he didn't exactly play third like Andy LaRoche, he wasn't Richie Hebner, either.
His arm is strong enough. He's a big guy (6'-2", 210-15 pounds), and his range isn't great. But Alvarez has an adequate mitt at the hot corner for now. Whether or not he moves to first, we think, will depend on how Andy LaRoche, Garrett Jones, and Jeff Clement play out by the time Pedro gets his call, likely this summer.
He's ticketed to start the year at Indy, and if all goes according to plan, it'll be Pedro time at PNC come June.
The Heights was also the nest where a couple of pretty fair major league careers were hatched; those of Manny Ramirez and Rod Carew. The Pirates are hoping to add a third name to Washington Heights' MLB honor roll, Pedro Alvarez.
Alvarez, who will be 23 in February, was a high school phenom. In his senior year of 2005, he set records for his team, Horace Mann, an independent prep school, in home runs, batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and RBIs. Alvarez was named the Louisville Slugger and Gatorade New York Athlete of the Year and was on LS's All-America squad.
He also took his summer club team, the Bayside Yankees, to a national title in 2005. The Red Sox drafted him in the fourteenth round after that season, as he was ranked as the 97th best pro prospect in the country by BA. The Sox offered him a bonus said to be $775K, but Alvarez opted to honor his commitment to Vanderbilt. Good move. It's not often the Pirates outbid the boys from Boston for a player.
He got off to a scorching start at Vandy and was picked as BA's National Freshman of the Year in 2006. Alvarez was then selected to the USA National team, leading the team in batting average. Baseball America ranked him as the 2nd best pro prospect on the squad. Sports Illustrated ranked him as the best pro prospect on the team and said that he was the "early favorite to be drafted first in 2008."
Before the 2007 campaign began Alvarez was named to the watchlist for the SEC and national player of the year awards and a pre-season All-America. Alvarez lived up to the hype, hitting .397 with 17 home runs, 65 RBI, 72 runs, an on-base percentage of .467, and a slugging percentage of .706 for the 51-11 Commodores.
Vanderbilt won its first ever SEC regular-season championship that year. During the SEC Tournament, Alvarez was named Tournament MVP. He was invited back to Team USA and led the team in homers, RBIs, batting average, hits, and slugging percentage.
He was first team All-America for three publications, and second-team on another pair before the 2008 season. Hey, even Dave Littlefield knew this kid could play, although we shudder to think who the Bucs would have picked if the new suits hadn't come aboard.
Alvarez kept raking as a junior, but he suffered a broken hamate bone, which sapped a lot of his power that season and took him out of the lineup for several weeks.
Maybe because of that (or the dreaded signability issue), Tampa Bay led off the 2008 draft by picking high school shortstop Tim Beckham, and the new Pirate front office earned huge cred among the long-suffering fans by taking Alvarez next.
Ah, but no one anticipated the upcoming drama. Scott Boras dragged the negotiations out to the midnight hour, when the Pirates announced they signed Alvarez to a $6M contract. After a few days of silence, Boras claimed that the ink dried two minutes late. The deal was no deal according to his calculations.
The whole affair was dumped in the league office's lap and went in front of a judge. But again, at the last minute, Alvarez and Boras relented and signed a new contract worth $6.35M. Why the brinkmanship?
As near as GW can figure, it was because Buster Posey got a $6.2M bonus in 2008, the highest ever before Steven Strasburg and Dustin Ackley bettered that number in 2009. So not only did Boras get the richest bonus up to that time, but he set the bar higher for the upcoming rooks. Devil or angel, he can sure work the system.
Of course, others rightly point out that the union filed the grievance, not the agent, and it was to uphold the contract, as the league had always allowed a little wiggle room for late signings and they didn't want to upset the apple cart. Apparently, both sides were leery of the ramifications of a binding decision, so they settled before a verdict was rendered. Machiavelli could be a GM today.
Anyway, 2008 was a lost year professionally for Alvarez, who bore the brunt of Boras' machinations. The Bucs front office didn't help by darkly muttering about his uncanny resemblance to the Sta-Puf Marshmallow Man. In fact, Alvarez didn't stay in shape because of a bout of tendinitis in his knees; he's in much better condition now that his knees have calmed down and he's on a structured program.
The draft flap was much ado about nothing. By all accounts, Pedro is a good kid, hard worker, and an academic whiz. Still, he bore the onus of being an ornery Boras client in the short term while losing what should have been his rookie season.
But everyone, from Neal Huntington to Scott Boras to Joe Fan knew that his public persona would eventually be linked to his performance. And hey, he's done a pretty good job of earning a little love lately.
After tearing it up in training camp, Alvarez was assigned to High A Lynchburg. He was productive, with 14 homers and 55 RBI in 243 at-bats, although he was hitting just .247. No problem; he was moved on to Altoona.
Alvarez hit .333/.419/.590 for the Curve with an OPS of 1.009, whacking 13 homers and driving home 40 in 222 at-bats. His overall maiden line was .288/.378/.535 with a .913 OPS, 32 doubles, 129 K's and 71 walks in 465 at-bats. And while he didn't exactly play third like Andy LaRoche, he wasn't Richie Hebner, either.
His arm is strong enough. He's a big guy (6'-2", 210-15 pounds), and his range isn't great. But Alvarez has an adequate mitt at the hot corner for now. Whether or not he moves to first, we think, will depend on how Andy LaRoche, Garrett Jones, and Jeff Clement play out by the time Pedro gets his call, likely this summer.
He's ticketed to start the year at Indy, and if all goes according to plan, it'll be Pedro time at PNC come June.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The Boss on the Bucs
Neal Huntington had a Q&A with Pirate fans Tuesday, and touched on a trio of players: Pedro, Jack Splat, and baby LaRoche. Here's what he had to say:
On Pedro's contract: "This is an agreement that we would have been pleased with on August 15."
"And despite the increase of $355,000 in minor league salaries, the value of the new contract is actually less than the original agreement because we were able to spread the signing bonus over four rather than two years."
"In the end, we eliminated any litigation risk and got Pedro on the field immediately without increasing our financial commitment."
On Pedro's future: "It is too early to know for sure where Pedro will start next season, but most indications are he will start with one of our A-ball clubs (Charleston or Lynchburg). He has missed a significant amount of time this season."
When asked when to expect Alvarez to hit the bigs, he said "Pedro's skills, abilities, aptitude and development will determine his progression through our system. In my experience, few players have been damaged by a conservative development path, while many have been irreparably damaged by being rushed."
On Jack Splat's place in next year's plans: "We are planning on Jack Wilson being the shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates next season, and perhaps beyond. That said, we will explore all potential avenues to make this organization stronger. As a result, no player is untouchable."
On Andy LaRoche: "Andy is not alone is his struggles as he attempts to establish himself as a Major League player. A historical perspective shows several All-Star, and even Hall-of-Fame-caliber players, that did not perform well at a similar age in their first extended exposure at the Major League level."
"Some development remains with Andy, but we still believe he will earn his at-bats and become a very productive Major League player."
And that's about as good a job of CYA as we've ever heard.
As we translate his rap, Huntington said a) we signed Pedro to get him in camp and to avoid a possible sticky decision by the arbitrator, and he'll start at A, just like Matt Weiter, b) Jack Splat's gone as soon as we get an offer that's not completely laughable, and c) Andy LaRoche is our third baseman, even if he makes Joey Bats look like Mike Schmidt. Get over it.
Also, Dejan Kovacevic of the Post Gazette reports that the Bucs may have cast Jeff Andrews and Lou Frazier to the wind because a couple of available vet coaches may be on their radar - Rick Peterson, Joe Kerrigan, and Perry Hill.
Peterson, fired by the New York Mets this summer, is a new age pitching coach, heavy on biomechanics, psychology, and a touch of tao as his worktools. He made his name with the Oakland A's staff during the Art Howe era.
Kerrigan was the New York Yankees' bullpen coach, after serving stints for the Expo's and Phillies as a pitching mentor. He managed Montreal briefly, and would add an experienced shoulder for John Russell and Gary Varsho to lean on in the heat of battle.
Hill, a highly touted glove guru, and the Bucs were close to a deal last November, but Hill didn't bite and spent a second season out of the game. He may not want to roam far from his Texas home, though.
Huntington has said that he doesn't have anyone lined up, and is just in the process of building an interview list. If those guys are on it, it's an impressive group.
Finally, congratulations to the Chicago White Sox, who took the division with a 1-0 win over the Twins. Jim Thome went yard in the seventh, Junior threw a runner out at the plate in the fifth, and that's all John Danks and Bobby Jenkins needed. Now off to Tampa Bay, as the playoff dance card is now full and starts tomorrow.
On Pedro's contract: "This is an agreement that we would have been pleased with on August 15."
"And despite the increase of $355,000 in minor league salaries, the value of the new contract is actually less than the original agreement because we were able to spread the signing bonus over four rather than two years."
"In the end, we eliminated any litigation risk and got Pedro on the field immediately without increasing our financial commitment."
On Pedro's future: "It is too early to know for sure where Pedro will start next season, but most indications are he will start with one of our A-ball clubs (Charleston or Lynchburg). He has missed a significant amount of time this season."
When asked when to expect Alvarez to hit the bigs, he said "Pedro's skills, abilities, aptitude and development will determine his progression through our system. In my experience, few players have been damaged by a conservative development path, while many have been irreparably damaged by being rushed."
On Jack Splat's place in next year's plans: "We are planning on Jack Wilson being the shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates next season, and perhaps beyond. That said, we will explore all potential avenues to make this organization stronger. As a result, no player is untouchable."
On Andy LaRoche: "Andy is not alone is his struggles as he attempts to establish himself as a Major League player. A historical perspective shows several All-Star, and even Hall-of-Fame-caliber players, that did not perform well at a similar age in their first extended exposure at the Major League level."
"Some development remains with Andy, but we still believe he will earn his at-bats and become a very productive Major League player."
And that's about as good a job of CYA as we've ever heard.
As we translate his rap, Huntington said a) we signed Pedro to get him in camp and to avoid a possible sticky decision by the arbitrator, and he'll start at A, just like Matt Weiter, b) Jack Splat's gone as soon as we get an offer that's not completely laughable, and c) Andy LaRoche is our third baseman, even if he makes Joey Bats look like Mike Schmidt. Get over it.
Also, Dejan Kovacevic of the Post Gazette reports that the Bucs may have cast Jeff Andrews and Lou Frazier to the wind because a couple of available vet coaches may be on their radar - Rick Peterson, Joe Kerrigan, and Perry Hill.
Peterson, fired by the New York Mets this summer, is a new age pitching coach, heavy on biomechanics, psychology, and a touch of tao as his worktools. He made his name with the Oakland A's staff during the Art Howe era.
Kerrigan was the New York Yankees' bullpen coach, after serving stints for the Expo's and Phillies as a pitching mentor. He managed Montreal briefly, and would add an experienced shoulder for John Russell and Gary Varsho to lean on in the heat of battle.
Hill, a highly touted glove guru, and the Bucs were close to a deal last November, but Hill didn't bite and spent a second season out of the game. He may not want to roam far from his Texas home, though.
Huntington has said that he doesn't have anyone lined up, and is just in the process of building an interview list. If those guys are on it, it's an impressive group.
Finally, congratulations to the Chicago White Sox, who took the division with a 1-0 win over the Twins. Jim Thome went yard in the seventh, Junior threw a runner out at the plate in the fifth, and that's all John Danks and Bobby Jenkins needed. Now off to Tampa Bay, as the playoff dance card is now full and starts tomorrow.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Pedro the Pirate
The Pirates and #1 draft pick Pedro Alvarez have agreed to a contract worth $6M (he was slotted at $3.5M), and they'll pay his tuition to finish college. It's a minor league deal, so he's not on the 40 man roster - yet.
He hit .317 with 15 doubles, nine homers and 30 RBIs this year, missing 23 of the first 24 games with a broken hamate bone in his right hand. Alvarez hit .357 with 40 homers and 132 RBIs during his first two seasons at Vanderbilt.
You can catch up on Pedro's bio on this draft post: El Matatan - Pedro Alvarez.
And we can't help but think that if Scott Boras would have floated that offer on draft day that Pedro would have a few weeks of Class A ball under his belt already. Still, bringing in a left-handed batter with some thunder in his stick is just what the doctor ordered for the run-challenged Buccos.
Pedro highlight reel from You Tube. Do ya think he and PNC are a good match?
RHP Tanner Scheppers didn't sign. Apparently he felt he deserved first round money - reportedly $2M, although his slot value was $800K - and the Pirates felt like he was damaged goods. He still couldn't throw a curve ball earlier in the week, but decided to pass up the security of a contract to roll the dice next year.
"Despite the quality efforts of both parties, it became clear that Tanner's financial expectations were not in line with the risks presented by Tanner's current status as a pitcher in the early stages of a rehabilitation program following an injury to his throwing shoulder," Neal Huntington said.
The Bucs will get the third pick of the 2nd round as compensation for him in next year's draft. Maybe he'll be there again.
Not all the first rounders signed on the dotted line. The Nationals failed to sign #9 pick Aaron Crow. The Nats were at $3.3MM and Crow's agents at $4MM, but the most head-banging seemed to be over a major-league contract. Crow signed with an indy minor league team.
The Yankee's pick at #28, Gerrit Cole, decided to go to UCLA. Who woulda thunk the Bucs could pay the ante while the Bronx Bombers couldn't? Actually, it wasn't the money in Cole's case - he's a Yankee fan, but just wanted to experience college.
Seattle's #1, Joshua Fields, drafted 20th, finished his senior season at Georgia and can negotiate with the Mariners up until a week before next year's draft. All three unsigned players are pitchers, which bodes well for next year's draft.
The Pirates signed eight of their top 10 picks, and 32 in toto. Scheppers and 10th-round pick Andrew Gagnon were the two top-tens who didn't sign. Gagnon, just out of high school, decided to pitch for Long Beach State next year instead of turning pro.
And Bob Nutting surely put his wallet where his mouth was this year. The Bucs spent something like $10M in draft bonuses in an effort to restock the minors. Between the draft and the recent deals, next year's Pirates prospect list will look a whole lot different than this year's did. And a whole lot better.
He hit .317 with 15 doubles, nine homers and 30 RBIs this year, missing 23 of the first 24 games with a broken hamate bone in his right hand. Alvarez hit .357 with 40 homers and 132 RBIs during his first two seasons at Vanderbilt.
You can catch up on Pedro's bio on this draft post: El Matatan - Pedro Alvarez.
And we can't help but think that if Scott Boras would have floated that offer on draft day that Pedro would have a few weeks of Class A ball under his belt already. Still, bringing in a left-handed batter with some thunder in his stick is just what the doctor ordered for the run-challenged Buccos.
RHP Tanner Scheppers didn't sign. Apparently he felt he deserved first round money - reportedly $2M, although his slot value was $800K - and the Pirates felt like he was damaged goods. He still couldn't throw a curve ball earlier in the week, but decided to pass up the security of a contract to roll the dice next year.
"Despite the quality efforts of both parties, it became clear that Tanner's financial expectations were not in line with the risks presented by Tanner's current status as a pitcher in the early stages of a rehabilitation program following an injury to his throwing shoulder," Neal Huntington said.
The Bucs will get the third pick of the 2nd round as compensation for him in next year's draft. Maybe he'll be there again.
Not all the first rounders signed on the dotted line. The Nationals failed to sign #9 pick Aaron Crow. The Nats were at $3.3MM and Crow's agents at $4MM, but the most head-banging seemed to be over a major-league contract. Crow signed with an indy minor league team.
The Yankee's pick at #28, Gerrit Cole, decided to go to UCLA. Who woulda thunk the Bucs could pay the ante while the Bronx Bombers couldn't? Actually, it wasn't the money in Cole's case - he's a Yankee fan, but just wanted to experience college.
Seattle's #1, Joshua Fields, drafted 20th, finished his senior season at Georgia and can negotiate with the Mariners up until a week before next year's draft. All three unsigned players are pitchers, which bodes well for next year's draft.
The Pirates signed eight of their top 10 picks, and 32 in toto. Scheppers and 10th-round pick Andrew Gagnon were the two top-tens who didn't sign. Gagnon, just out of high school, decided to pitch for Long Beach State next year instead of turning pro.
And Bob Nutting surely put his wallet where his mouth was this year. The Bucs spent something like $10M in draft bonuses in an effort to restock the minors. Between the draft and the recent deals, next year's Pirates prospect list will look a whole lot different than this year's did. And a whole lot better.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Draft day
The Rays took all the pressure off of Pittsburgh by selecting high school wunderkind Tim Beckham, letting Pedro Alvarez fall into the Pirate's lap. Pedro said he's happy to be a Buc. The Buc's are happy to get Pedro. Now what does Boras think...?
>Keith Law of ESPN on the choice: "The pick makes sense for the Pirates, who have had a hard time developing power hitters and don't have a lot in their system. If Alvarez moved to first base, he'd have a clear path to the majors there. Same thing at third base.
My only concern is that they didn't pick the best player on the board at this point. Justin Smoak would have made just as much if not more sense. But if everything clicks with Alvarez, the Pirates have a cleanup hitter for the next several years with 40-homer potential in the majors."
>"Pedro is a player we've done a lot of work on," Neal Huntington said shortly after the selection. "He has the potential of being a middle-of-the-lineup-type bat with the added potential of being a left-handed hitter at PNC Park. It's our belief that he will be a quality Major League third baseman."
>The selection of Alvarez marks just the third time in the last 11 seasons that the Pirates have taken a position player with their first-round pick. The last time the Bucs used their first pick to select a third baseman was in 1986, when they made Jeff King the No. 1 overall pick.
We'd like to tell you more, but for some reason they put the draft on hold after the comp picks. Tough to drum up interest when the suits take recess during prime time.
>Finally! And well worth the wait. The Bucs take Tanner Scheppers, a 6'4" RHP from Fresno State. Originally recruited as a shortstop, Scheppers is a tall and athletic right-hander.
He has good arm strength with an above average fastball (92-95 MPH and it's said it touches 99. His two seamer cuts & sinks), he has a good slider (87 MPH with a late break), and decent fastball command. He's new to pitching, so his delivery is a little mechanical and he's behind on things like holding runners.
His 2008 pitching line was 8-2 in 70-2/3 innings with a whopping 105 strike outs and a 3.19 ERA.
Schepper's an intriguing right-hander with a ton of upside. He may be a little raw because of his lack of experience - he showed just two pitches early in the season - but the above-average fastball and strong early results will be enough to keep scouts coming and keep him moving up draft charts. (MLB.com)
Scheppers suffered a stress fracture of his shoulder in the past week, according to MLB Trade Rumors. This injury likely dropped him out of the early first round, and rumors abound that it may be something more serious. The risk is increased, but now Scheppers will drop and could become a steal.
The Bucs are taking a chance here, but the upside, as they see it, overrides the risk. They're taking a shot at landing two top ten picks instead of playing it safe.
We like the thinking, assuming they've done their due diligence. But a word of warning - he's been ranked anywhere from 20-70 in the draft ratings since his injury became public, so caveat emptor.
Kinda interesting - usually pitchers that Pittsburgh draft wait until they're signed before their arm falls off. Scheppers is already ahead of the curve.
>This pick was kinda out there. The Bucs chose Oklahoma State SS Jordy Mercer, a 6'3" RH. He hit .330 with 14 HRs and 60 RBIs for the Cowboys, and was on the US National team last year.
Mercer booted 12 balls in 62 games at short. He's pitched some, too, although his 5.28 ERA doesn't bode well for a spot in the pen. The Dodgers originally drafted him in 2005, in the 26th round. He's recovered without a hitch from knee surgery in 2007.
>The fourth round pick is Pepperdine junior SS Chase D'Arnaud. He's 6'3", 210 lbs, and hit .314 with 11 HR's and 50 RBIs, along with 10 stolen sacks. D'Arnaud is another leather challenged infielder, committing 20 errors in 59 games. He projects as a 2B in the pros.
Looks like the suits are hoping for a little pop out of their infielders this year. Are you paying attention, Brian Bixler?
>Justin Wilson, LHP from Fresno State, was the fifth pick. The 6'2" junior didn't have a great 2008, going 7-4 with a 4.17 ERA and 83 Ks in 99-1/3 innings, but was probably selected on last year's performance.
He was 8-5 with a 3.19 ERA and 105 Ks in 101-1/3 innings. He mostly worked as a starter, though he saw a bit of time out of the pen, too. Wilson is a converted 1B, and has two years under his belt as a full-time pitcher. He throws average heat, 88-90 MPH, and has control issues.
>The grade so far? Well, Califonia is supposed to be the alpha hotbed of US baseball talent, and Pittsburgh rarely visited it during the Littlefield era. Huntington seems like he wants to make up for that slight all in one year.
And all the picks have some question marks, mainly regarding health. But it's a shallow draft, and the Pirates are rolling the dice that the guys will all end up OK. Their eye has been focused more on potential than production, so they have a group with a lot of upside but that could crash in flames, too.
But it's worth the risk - safe picks have gotten the club no where in the past decade.
OK guys, look up the other draftees yourself. We're going out to play with the tomatoes in the backyard and catch the end of the Pirate game. See ya tomorrow.
On the draft front: Who dey gonna pick? The gurus say:
>Baseball America - Pedro Alvarez appears to be the first, second and third choice of the Pirates in the No. 2 hole. At the very least, taking Alvarez would signal to skeptical Bucs fans that the new bosses, team president Frank Coonelly and GM Neal Huntington, aren’t the same as the old bosses. The Alvarez-to-Pittsburgh talk is so strong, most sources don’t really know what Pittsburgh’s backup plan could be, other than Cliff Stoudt.
>MLB.com - Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt. No change here, with the Pirates still in line to make some waves by taking Alvarez. They'll still consider Posey and perhaps even Matusz if they feel they need to go with the top college pitcher.
>Baseball Prospectus - The Pirates are in a bit of a pickle with this selection. The Rays are good because they’ve done great things with their picks; the Pirates are faltering because they have failed with theirs.
In 2006, they selected Brad Lincoln in front of Clayton Kershaw and Tim Lincecum. In 2005, they nabbed Andrew McCutcheon — a fine prospect in his own right — but one pick later the Reds selected Jay Bruce. In 2002, with the first overall pick, they decided on Bryan Bullington over B.J. Upton.
Many of those decisions were based on money, and while new team president Frank Coonelly was previously charged with enforcing MLB’s silly slotting system for the draft, the Pirates insist that they are playing it cheap no longer. That seemingly would make Alvarez the obvious pick here, but his price might be too high, even for the Pirates, who are concerned with some holes in his swing and his ability to stay at third base long-term.
Tim Beckham is more risky, but should come at a more reasonable price, and many believe he’s a superior prospect to Alvarez by any measurement.
Selection: Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS (GA)
>CBS Sports - The Pirates are supposedly thinking about picking Pedro Alvarez, to prove that they are willing to spend cash on a player. Alvarez is a great prospect, but broke a bone his hamate bone before the season started and hasn't been himself this season.
I think this injury, plus the fact that Alvarez will eventually be a 1st baseman (in my opinion due to his below average speed and average arm). I think there's enough risk here that the Pirates will back off.
So, enough about who they won't take. I expect they'll go for one of three players (along w/ Alvarez being an outside possibility): Posey (if he's available), Tim Beckham, a high school SS, or Brian Matusz, a lefty out of Univ of San Diego. The Pirates are the worst in the majors in pitching.
Update: The same information is out there regarding Alvarez and the Pirates willingness to take him. I can't say I'm any more convinced now than I was then.
Pick: Brian Matusz, LHP, Junior, San Diego
Stats: 2.05 ERA (16th), 10 wins (7th), 12.48 k/9 (5th), 7.67 H/9 (75th), 1.58 BB/9 (113th) Alternate Pick: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt.
>Dejan Kovacevic of the Post-Gazette - There are strong indications, internally and externally, that the Pirates favor Vanderbilt University third baseman Pedro Alvarez. According to multiple sources, they already have placed feelers with Boras to set the stage for drafting him.
Lotta opinions out there, but only one counts. We'll find out soon enough who the Bucs like.
>Pirate first rounders: 2007: Daniel Moskos, LHP, Clemson; 2006: Brad Lincoln, RHP, Houston; 2005: Andrew McCutcheon, CF, Fort Meade HS; 2004: Neil Walker, C, Pine-Richland HS; 2003: Paul Maholm, LHP, Mississippi State; 2002: Bryan Bullington, RHP, Ball State; 2001: John VanBenschoten, 1B-OF, Kent State; 2000: Sean Burnett, LHP, Weelington HS.
>Local high schoolers waiting for the phone to ring: Zak Sinclair, pitcher, West Allegheny; Plum pitcher Scott McGough; Seneca Valley pitcher Cory Mazzoni and Peters Township catcher Jordan Jankowski. They all have D1 scholarships sitting in their pockets if the round they're selected in isn't to their liking.
>Keith Law of ESPN on the choice: "The pick makes sense for the Pirates, who have had a hard time developing power hitters and don't have a lot in their system. If Alvarez moved to first base, he'd have a clear path to the majors there. Same thing at third base.
My only concern is that they didn't pick the best player on the board at this point. Justin Smoak would have made just as much if not more sense. But if everything clicks with Alvarez, the Pirates have a cleanup hitter for the next several years with 40-homer potential in the majors."
>"Pedro is a player we've done a lot of work on," Neal Huntington said shortly after the selection. "He has the potential of being a middle-of-the-lineup-type bat with the added potential of being a left-handed hitter at PNC Park. It's our belief that he will be a quality Major League third baseman."
>The selection of Alvarez marks just the third time in the last 11 seasons that the Pirates have taken a position player with their first-round pick. The last time the Bucs used their first pick to select a third baseman was in 1986, when they made Jeff King the No. 1 overall pick.
We'd like to tell you more, but for some reason they put the draft on hold after the comp picks. Tough to drum up interest when the suits take recess during prime time.
>Finally! And well worth the wait. The Bucs take Tanner Scheppers, a 6'4" RHP from Fresno State. Originally recruited as a shortstop, Scheppers is a tall and athletic right-hander.
He has good arm strength with an above average fastball (92-95 MPH and it's said it touches 99. His two seamer cuts & sinks), he has a good slider (87 MPH with a late break), and decent fastball command. He's new to pitching, so his delivery is a little mechanical and he's behind on things like holding runners.
His 2008 pitching line was 8-2 in 70-2/3 innings with a whopping 105 strike outs and a 3.19 ERA.
Schepper's an intriguing right-hander with a ton of upside. He may be a little raw because of his lack of experience - he showed just two pitches early in the season - but the above-average fastball and strong early results will be enough to keep scouts coming and keep him moving up draft charts. (MLB.com)
Scheppers suffered a stress fracture of his shoulder in the past week, according to MLB Trade Rumors. This injury likely dropped him out of the early first round, and rumors abound that it may be something more serious. The risk is increased, but now Scheppers will drop and could become a steal.
The Bucs are taking a chance here, but the upside, as they see it, overrides the risk. They're taking a shot at landing two top ten picks instead of playing it safe.
We like the thinking, assuming they've done their due diligence. But a word of warning - he's been ranked anywhere from 20-70 in the draft ratings since his injury became public, so caveat emptor.
Kinda interesting - usually pitchers that Pittsburgh draft wait until they're signed before their arm falls off. Scheppers is already ahead of the curve.
>This pick was kinda out there. The Bucs chose Oklahoma State SS Jordy Mercer, a 6'3" RH. He hit .330 with 14 HRs and 60 RBIs for the Cowboys, and was on the US National team last year.
Mercer booted 12 balls in 62 games at short. He's pitched some, too, although his 5.28 ERA doesn't bode well for a spot in the pen. The Dodgers originally drafted him in 2005, in the 26th round. He's recovered without a hitch from knee surgery in 2007.
>The fourth round pick is Pepperdine junior SS Chase D'Arnaud. He's 6'3", 210 lbs, and hit .314 with 11 HR's and 50 RBIs, along with 10 stolen sacks. D'Arnaud is another leather challenged infielder, committing 20 errors in 59 games. He projects as a 2B in the pros.
Looks like the suits are hoping for a little pop out of their infielders this year. Are you paying attention, Brian Bixler?
>Justin Wilson, LHP from Fresno State, was the fifth pick. The 6'2" junior didn't have a great 2008, going 7-4 with a 4.17 ERA and 83 Ks in 99-1/3 innings, but was probably selected on last year's performance.
He was 8-5 with a 3.19 ERA and 105 Ks in 101-1/3 innings. He mostly worked as a starter, though he saw a bit of time out of the pen, too. Wilson is a converted 1B, and has two years under his belt as a full-time pitcher. He throws average heat, 88-90 MPH, and has control issues.
>The grade so far? Well, Califonia is supposed to be the alpha hotbed of US baseball talent, and Pittsburgh rarely visited it during the Littlefield era. Huntington seems like he wants to make up for that slight all in one year.
And all the picks have some question marks, mainly regarding health. But it's a shallow draft, and the Pirates are rolling the dice that the guys will all end up OK. Their eye has been focused more on potential than production, so they have a group with a lot of upside but that could crash in flames, too.
But it's worth the risk - safe picks have gotten the club no where in the past decade.
OK guys, look up the other draftees yourself. We're going out to play with the tomatoes in the backyard and catch the end of the Pirate game. See ya tomorrow.
On the draft front: Who dey gonna pick? The gurus say:
>Baseball America - Pedro Alvarez appears to be the first, second and third choice of the Pirates in the No. 2 hole. At the very least, taking Alvarez would signal to skeptical Bucs fans that the new bosses, team president Frank Coonelly and GM Neal Huntington, aren’t the same as the old bosses. The Alvarez-to-Pittsburgh talk is so strong, most sources don’t really know what Pittsburgh’s backup plan could be, other than Cliff Stoudt.
>MLB.com - Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt. No change here, with the Pirates still in line to make some waves by taking Alvarez. They'll still consider Posey and perhaps even Matusz if they feel they need to go with the top college pitcher.
>Baseball Prospectus - The Pirates are in a bit of a pickle with this selection. The Rays are good because they’ve done great things with their picks; the Pirates are faltering because they have failed with theirs.
In 2006, they selected Brad Lincoln in front of Clayton Kershaw and Tim Lincecum. In 2005, they nabbed Andrew McCutcheon — a fine prospect in his own right — but one pick later the Reds selected Jay Bruce. In 2002, with the first overall pick, they decided on Bryan Bullington over B.J. Upton.
Many of those decisions were based on money, and while new team president Frank Coonelly was previously charged with enforcing MLB’s silly slotting system for the draft, the Pirates insist that they are playing it cheap no longer. That seemingly would make Alvarez the obvious pick here, but his price might be too high, even for the Pirates, who are concerned with some holes in his swing and his ability to stay at third base long-term.
Tim Beckham is more risky, but should come at a more reasonable price, and many believe he’s a superior prospect to Alvarez by any measurement.
Selection: Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS (GA)
>CBS Sports - The Pirates are supposedly thinking about picking Pedro Alvarez, to prove that they are willing to spend cash on a player. Alvarez is a great prospect, but broke a bone his hamate bone before the season started and hasn't been himself this season.
I think this injury, plus the fact that Alvarez will eventually be a 1st baseman (in my opinion due to his below average speed and average arm). I think there's enough risk here that the Pirates will back off.
So, enough about who they won't take. I expect they'll go for one of three players (along w/ Alvarez being an outside possibility): Posey (if he's available), Tim Beckham, a high school SS, or Brian Matusz, a lefty out of Univ of San Diego. The Pirates are the worst in the majors in pitching.
Update: The same information is out there regarding Alvarez and the Pirates willingness to take him. I can't say I'm any more convinced now than I was then.
Pick: Brian Matusz, LHP, Junior, San Diego
Stats: 2.05 ERA (16th), 10 wins (7th), 12.48 k/9 (5th), 7.67 H/9 (75th), 1.58 BB/9 (113th) Alternate Pick: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt.
>Dejan Kovacevic of the Post-Gazette - There are strong indications, internally and externally, that the Pirates favor Vanderbilt University third baseman Pedro Alvarez. According to multiple sources, they already have placed feelers with Boras to set the stage for drafting him.
Lotta opinions out there, but only one counts. We'll find out soon enough who the Bucs like.
>Pirate first rounders: 2007: Daniel Moskos, LHP, Clemson; 2006: Brad Lincoln, RHP, Houston; 2005: Andrew McCutcheon, CF, Fort Meade HS; 2004: Neil Walker, C, Pine-Richland HS; 2003: Paul Maholm, LHP, Mississippi State; 2002: Bryan Bullington, RHP, Ball State; 2001: John VanBenschoten, 1B-OF, Kent State; 2000: Sean Burnett, LHP, Weelington HS.
>Local high schoolers waiting for the phone to ring: Zak Sinclair, pitcher, West Allegheny; Plum pitcher Scott McGough; Seneca Valley pitcher Cory Mazzoni and Peters Township catcher Jordan Jankowski. They all have D1 scholarships sitting in their pockets if the round they're selected in isn't to their liking.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
El Matatan....
Pedro Manuel Alvarez, 21 was born in New York City and played his scholastic ball at Horace Mann HS. His nicknames are "El Toro" and "El Matatan," (the Boss) and his favorite players are Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz.
The 6'2", 195 pound Vandy junior third baseman is batting .315 with 9 home runs and 29 RBIs in 39 games this year. He broke a hamate bone in his hand, which is an injury most guys recover from without any long term hitches. Alvarez had a terrible SEC tournament, but has recovered his stroke during the NCAA's.
In 2007, he was a selected as a first-team All-American by Baseball America, Rivals.com and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and second-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball and the American Baseball Coaches Association. He finished the year batting .386 with 18 homers and 68 RBI. Alvarez posted 29 multi-hit and 20 multi-RBI games, along with a 24-game hit streak.
He was named the National Freshman of the Year by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball and Rivals.com in 2006. Alvarez hit for a .361 average with 7 homers and 27 RBIs. He had 22 multi-hit and 13 multi-RBI games, and stole 7 bases in 10 tries. He showed good patience at the plate, walking 57 times with an OBP of .456.
He also has two years under his belt playing for Team USA. Last summer, he hit .315 in international play with 30 RBIs and 7 long balls. Alvarez hit .382 to lead the team, with 40 RBIs and 5 HR's, in 2006.
Not only does he boast a muscle bat, but he's supposed to be a good head in the locker room, too. It's tough to top the package he's touted to be, especially in a draft that's supposed to be top-loaded but not very deep.
According to Saber Scouting, Alvarez has an impact bat with a great track record against elite pitching and with wood bats, an average or better defensive package at the hot corner, and great makeup.
MLB.com adds that Alvarez is as about as safe a bet as there is. He's is a polished and poised hitter and should hit for average in the big leagues and for at least average power. He should be OK to stay at third (his arm and range are considered average), but he'd probably make a pretty good first baseman.
Alvarez entered the season as the top player talent-wise in the draft, and even though he missed a chunk of the season after suffering a broken hamate bone, his status hasn't suffered. The only thing that could affect his draft slot are perceived bonus demands, but it's unlikely that'll force any huge slide.
The 6'2", 195 pound Vandy junior third baseman is batting .315 with 9 home runs and 29 RBIs in 39 games this year. He broke a hamate bone in his hand, which is an injury most guys recover from without any long term hitches. Alvarez had a terrible SEC tournament, but has recovered his stroke during the NCAA's.
In 2007, he was a selected as a first-team All-American by Baseball America, Rivals.com and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and second-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball and the American Baseball Coaches Association. He finished the year batting .386 with 18 homers and 68 RBI. Alvarez posted 29 multi-hit and 20 multi-RBI games, along with a 24-game hit streak.
He was named the National Freshman of the Year by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball and Rivals.com in 2006. Alvarez hit for a .361 average with 7 homers and 27 RBIs. He had 22 multi-hit and 13 multi-RBI games, and stole 7 bases in 10 tries. He showed good patience at the plate, walking 57 times with an OBP of .456.
He also has two years under his belt playing for Team USA. Last summer, he hit .315 in international play with 30 RBIs and 7 long balls. Alvarez hit .382 to lead the team, with 40 RBIs and 5 HR's, in 2006.
Not only does he boast a muscle bat, but he's supposed to be a good head in the locker room, too. It's tough to top the package he's touted to be, especially in a draft that's supposed to be top-loaded but not very deep.
According to Saber Scouting, Alvarez has an impact bat with a great track record against elite pitching and with wood bats, an average or better defensive package at the hot corner, and great makeup.
MLB.com adds that Alvarez is as about as safe a bet as there is. He's is a polished and poised hitter and should hit for average in the big leagues and for at least average power. He should be OK to stay at third (his arm and range are considered average), but he'd probably make a pretty good first baseman.
Alvarez entered the season as the top player talent-wise in the draft, and even though he missed a chunk of the season after suffering a broken hamate bone, his status hasn't suffered. The only thing that could affect his draft slot are perceived bonus demands, but it's unlikely that'll force any huge slide.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)