Pirates’ good week (5-2) a sign of progress
PITTSBURGH – The Pirates went 5-2 last week, which might not be enough to stage a parade or mean a whole lot since it came against a Chicago Cubs’ team that is in disarray and a Philadelphia Phillies’ team that is severely undermanned. However, there were certainly signs of progress, most notably third baseman Pedro Alvarez hitting the first two home runs of his career and right-hander Mike Lincoln winning the first game of his career.
Granted, that does not mean that the Pirates are suddenly going to make a pennant push. After all, they are still 22 games under .500 at 30-52, giving them the worst record in the National League.
And any progress the Pirates make in the second half of the season will likely come in fits and starts. That is the way it goes for any team with three rookies in the starting lineup – second baseman Neil Walker and left fielder Jose Tabata round out the trio – and a second rookie, right-hander Daniel McCutchen, also being asked to anchor the starting rotation.
Manager John Russell understands these things better than some in the organization.
“It’s an exciting time because we are breaking in so many talented players,” Russell said. “But when you play the young guys, there are going to be growing pains. There are very few players who come to the major leagues and don’t struggle. It doesn’t matter how ready you think a player might be to come up from the minor leagues, there is still going to be an adjustment period.
“We’re going to hit some bumps in the road before the season is over. That being said, I think we’re going to see a lot of positive developments, too.”
Alvarez hitting home runs on Saturday and Sunday against the Phillies and putting together a current seven-game hitting streak is certainly encouraging. Even more encouraging is that Alvarez struck out four times in 16 at-bats during the four-game series with the Phillies after punching out 22 times in his first 46 at-bats.
“Every level you go up, you try to make adjustments as quickly as possible,” Alvarez said. “I’m very confident in my ability in every aspect of the game up here. Things will improve. I’ve just got to keep working.”
Lincoln was definitely improved in his last outing, holding the Cubs to one run and four hits in seven innings while they flailed at his curveball all afternoon.
“Getting that first win is going to make all the difference in the world,” said Lincoln, who was winless in his first four starts while giving up 17 runs in 24 innings. “I feel like that monkey is off my back and now I can pitch the way I’m capable of pitching.”
Like Russell said, it isn’t easy being a rookie. Barry Bonds hit .223 during his rookie season with the Pirates in 1986 and went on to become baseball’s all-time home run leader.
There will indeed be growing pains, but they are easier to suffer when some signs of an eventual payoff can start to be seen.
Correspondent John Perrotto is editor-in-chief of BaseballProspectus.com.