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MLB • 1 year ago

2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 Pittsburgh Pirates Position Battles To Watch

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Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 Pittsburgh Pirates Position Battles To Watch

ClintHurdle — After a drought that lasted 21 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates have now had a taste of postseason action in each of the past two seasons. Despite losing Edinson Volquez and Russell Martin, they still figure to be right back in the mix in 2015. The Pirates may have fewer questions to answer than some, but they still need to sort a few things out before the season begins. Here are five position battles to watch as spring training gets underway.

After a drought that lasted 21 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates have now had a taste of postseason action in each of the past two seasons. Despite losing Edinson Volquez and Russell Martin, they still figure to be right back in the mix in 2015. The Pirates may have fewer questions to answer than some, but they still need to sort a few things out before the season begins. Here are five position battles to watch as spring training gets underway.

5. Catcher

5. Catcher

CervelliCopy — Before the Blue Jays went deep into their pockets for Martin, the Pirates swung a deal with the Yankees for Francisco Cervelli. While Cervelli had a nice season in 2014, the 49 games he played in were his most since 2010, when he appeared in 93 contests. There may be a few questions regarding how heavy of a workload he can carry, so it will be interesting to see what kind of a challenge Chris Stewart and Tony Sanchez may be able to put up.

Before the Blue Jays went deep into their pockets for Martin, the Pirates swung a deal with the Yankees for Francisco Cervelli. While Cervelli had a nice season in 2014, the 49 games he played in were his most since 2010, when he appeared in 93 contests. There may be a few questions regarding how heavy of a workload he can carry, so it will be interesting to see what kind of a challenge Chris Stewart and Tony Sanchez may be able to put up.

4. Shortstop

4. Shortstop

JordyMercerCopy — This offseason, the Pirates signed Jung-ho Kang to a four-year deal with an option for a fifth year. By the sounds of things, it seems likely that Kang will be on the Pirates' Opening Day roster, serving as a utility infielder. A power-hitting shortstop in Korea, Kang slugged 40 homers last year. Although the incumbent Jordy Mercer's job likely is still very safe, things may get rather interesting if Kang can translate some of that pop to MLB.

This offseason, the Pirates signed Jung-ho Kang to a four-year deal with an option for a fifth year. By the sounds of things, it seems likely that Kang will be on the Pirates' Opening Day roster, serving as a utility infielder. A power-hitting shortstop in Korea, Kang slugged 40 homers last year. Although the incumbent Jordy Mercer's job likely is still very safe, things may get rather interesting if Kang can translate some of that pop to MLB.

3. Fourth Outfielder

3. Fourth Outfielder

AndrewLamboCopy — The Pirates have their three starting outfield spots filled with Starling Marte in left, Andrew McCutchen in center and Gregory Polanco in right, but there is expected to be a certain amount of competition for the fourth outfielder spot after the trade of Travis Snider. Two of the top candidates are likely to be Andrew Lambo, who slugged 32 homers in the minors in 2013, and former Brewers All-Star Corey Hart. Jose Tabata is in the mix too.

The Pirates have their three starting outfield spots filled with Starling Marte in left, Andrew McCutchen in center and Gregory Polanco in right, but there is expected to be a certain amount of competition for the fourth outfielder spot after the trade of Travis Snider. Two of the top candidates are likely to be Andrew Lambo, who slugged 32 homers in the minors in 2013, and former Brewers All-Star Corey Hart. Jose Tabata is in the mix too.

2. Final Bullpen Spots

2. Final Bullpen Spots

Stolmycopy — Starting back in 2013, a big part of the Pirates' resurgence has been their bullpen, and they are expected to have a good crop of relievers once again in 2015. There are a few players who are obvious locks to make the Pirates' bullpen, such as Mark Melancon, Tony Watson and newcomer Antonio Bastardo just to name a few, but there is likely to be some competition to round out the last couple of spots.

Starting back in 2013, a big part of the Pirates' resurgence has been their bullpen, and they are expected to have a good crop of relievers once again in 2015. There are a few players who are obvious locks to make the Pirates' bullpen, such as Mark Melancon, Tony Watson and newcomer Antonio Bastardo just to name a few, but there is likely to be some competition to round out the last couple of spots.

1. No. 5 Starter

1. No. 5 Starter

Worleycopy — While it should be a pretty safe bet to say that Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano, Charlie Morton and A.J. Burnett will be in the rotation, things might get a little interesting when it comes to the No. 5 spot. The top two candidates appear to be Jeff Locke, who was an All-Star back in 2013, and Vance Worley, who was terrific in 17 starts with the Pirates last season after a rough 2013 campaign with the Twins.

While it should be a pretty safe bet to say that Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano, Charlie Morton and A.J. Burnett will be in the rotation, things might get a little interesting when it comes to the No. 5 spot. The top two candidates appear to be Jeff Locke, who was an All-Star back in 2013, and Vance Worley, who was terrific in 17 starts with the Pirates last season after a rough 2013 campaign with the Twins.

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