Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Preview

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates to need find a consistent identity this season. They missed the playoffs last season and have had some early playoff exits the past couple of season as well. Pittsburgh needs to find a way to win the division in order to avoid another one game disappoint.

They will have some young blood in either the pitching rotation or in the starting lineup this season. Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Ivan Nova, Drew Hutchinson, and Chad Kuhl will most likely be the starting rotation. Kuhl and Taillon are two young pitchers that could immediately bolster their rotation. 

Tyler Glasnow is also a starting pitcher and he is the top prospect in the Pirates system. It is very possible he will crack the rotation at some point this season. He can also bolster the rotation and Glasnow is also very young. Tony Watson will most likely be the closer.

It is Francisco Cervelli's job to lose at the catchers position. The Pirates have some depth in the infield with David Freese, Josh Bell, Josh Harrison, Jung-ho Kang, and Jordy Mercer.

It is very possible that it could be Andrew McCutchen's final season in a Pirates uniform. He has a 2018 club option on his contract which includes a possible $1 million buyout. Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco will most likely be the other starters in the outfield. They also have a solid outfield prospect in Austin Meadows, and he is the number two prospect in the Pirates system and he will mostly likely be called up this season. He is only 21 years old. 

Projected opening day lineup: 1. (2B) Josh Harrison 2. (1B) Josh Bell 3. (RF) Andrew McCutchen 4. (CF) Starling Marte 5. (LF) Gregory Polanco 6. (3B) Jung-ho Kang 7. (C) Francisco Cerveli 8. (SS) Jordy Mercer 9. pitchers spot

The Pirates open up the season on April 3rd against the Boston Red Sox. Pittsburgh's home opener is against the Atlanta Braves on April 7th.