Pirates Opening Day Lineup and Roster Predictions

The cleanup spot, as well as the regular catcher designation, should go to Davis. When Yasmani Grandal was signed, it was thought he would be the regular behind the dish. Davis would be sent to the minors to develop his catching skills. After all, Grandal was signed for $2.5 million . That’s starter money, at least by the Bucs’ standards. But Shelton and general manager Ben Cherington should be changing their minds. In spring training, Davis is hitting .292/.333/.792 with four homers in nine games as of the close of Wednesday’s action. He’s looked good behind the plate, too, in all aspects – framing, blocking pitches, and throwing. If Davis is sent to the minors, there will be so many Pirates fans descending upon PNC Park with lit torches, that one would think a remake of Frankenstein was being filmed in Pittsburgh.

That makes Grandal an expensive backup. It also means there’s no room for Keller’s personal catcher, Jason Delay. However, if Davis keeps hitting bombs, Keller will get over losing Delay.

Resolving Second Base

There were four contenders for the second base position going into spring training. It has since turned into a dead-even competition between Triolo and Peguero. Stat-wise, the two have been virtually identical in the spring. Both are hitting .333 as of Wednesday. Triolo’s .419 OBP is just .002 better than Peguero’s. Peguero has the edge in slugging percentage, .524 to Triolo’s .481. Left out are Nick Gonzales and Ji Hwan Bae. Gonzalez has been used at shortstop, second base, and designated hitter, as if he were auditioning for a utility role. Bae has been out with a hip injury and hasn’t played at all recently. Once he recovers, it’s difficult to imagine him on the major league team barring an injury to another player.

So, who’s on second in the Pirates’ Opening Day lineup? With the Marlins so top-heavy in left-handed starting pitchers, the guess here is that Shelton will kick the can down the road for a while. Joe was slated to be the right-handed half of a first-base platoon. The versatile Triolo has played first base and can be used there. Peguero would play second base with Joe in right field, where nobody has stood out and seized the job.

Another Decision Postponed?

All-Star closer David Bednar is currently out with lat (latissimus dorsi for the Latin scholars among our readers) tightness. Bednar is trying to get ready for Opening Day. With the Pirates’ recent history of proceeding cautiously with players on the injured list, particularly pitchers, the guess here is that we don’t see Bednar on a major-league mound until May. (The typical pattern: He’ll be back in 10 days. 10 days later, he’s just starting to do some running and stretching. 15 days later, he just picked up a baseball. 10 days later, he’s just beginning to throw off flat ground.) Aroldis Chapman will likely assume the closer’s duties in Bednar’s place.

With three off days through April 18 on the regular season schedule, Shelton should be able to start the year with 12 pitchers. This allows him to postpone another decision, that being the crowded outfield situation. Reynolds and Suwinksi are assured spots. Most likely, Edward Olivares is too, given that Cherington traded for him, but one never knows. It’s hard to dismiss Joshua Palacios based on last year’s pinch-hitting prowess and his catchy enthusiasm.

Dilemmas

But the Pirates still need a good defensive center fielder on the bench. The 12-man staff will allow one of Gilberto Celestino or Billy McKinney to make the Pirates roster and fill that role. Celestino seems more probable based on the fact that he’s a right-handed hitter, while Suwinksi bats left-handed. Eventually, the Pirates will want a 13-man pitching staff. At that point, Shelton will have to choose between a pinch hitter and a center fielder.

Complicating matters on the pitching side is Roansy Contreras and Bailey Falter each being out of minor league options. They’ll be kept on the major league squad. Contreras still has a bright future ahead. Falter was long coveted by Cherington, and besides, we all know the old baseball axiom about left-handers developing late. However, neither has earned a starting berth. Long relief will be a good role for each to work out his issues.

Predicted Pirates’ Opening Day Roster

Starting pitchers: Keller, Martìn Pèrez, Marco Gonzales, Jared Jones, and Luis Ortiz.

Bullpen: Chapman, Colin Holderman, Carmen Mlodzinski, Ryan Borucki, Contreras, Falter, and Chase Anderson.

Catchers: Davis and Grandal.

Infielders: Rowdy Tellez, Joe, Peguero, Triolo, Cruz, and Hayes.

Designated Hitter: McCutchen.

Outfielders: Reynolds, Suwinksi, Olivares, Palacios, and Celestino.

It’s been a different kind of spring for the Pirates. What we do know is, like recent springs, there is much competition for jobs. Unlike recent springs, it’s because talent is abundant, not lacking. Watching the decisions that will go into determining the Pirates’ Opening Day lineup and 26-man roster will be interesting.