Another reason for the Pirates lack of wins over the past 10 game stretch has been the ongoing issue of rightfield. With Jose Tabata and Travis Snider both greatly struggling at the plate, the Pirates will need to upgrade their corner outfield position soon as Pirates right fielders are hitting .209 with a .272 on base percentage. Snider has proved to be a valuable bat off the bench going 3 for 4 with a homerun. Those stats aren't going to get the job done though for a player often hitting in the 2 or 6 hole of the lineup.
One possible solution the Pirates have is to call up Gregory Polanco from AAA. I know that the Pirates don't want to start that arbitration clock too soon, but he has shown that he belongs in a higher class through the first 19 games of the AAA season. Playing exclusively in right field, Polanco has been hitting .403/.439/.623 with 3 stolen bases, 3 homeruns, and 20 RBI to go with his 4 doubles and 2 triples. Add in the fact that he is striking out in less than 13% of his plate appearances makes him look like a sparkplug for this Pirates offense.
I finally got my hands on a Gregory Polanco Bowman auto for less than $20 and am very happy to add it to my collection.
Let's Go Bucs!!!
Saw him go 3-5 with 3 RBIs in Louisville last week. He really reminds me of Dave Parker.
ReplyDeleteIf Polanco can produce like Dave Parker did in his early years, I will be extremely happy with that although to be honest he reminds me of Griffey Jr. The way he runs, the power, the ability to field. I think we got something VERY special in Polanco.
DeleteI was at the game yesterday. We are just not winning the one run games like we were last year. I keep telling myself not to get worried, but we need to start hitting the ball.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree. What I found most disturbing about yesterday's game was the number of poor at bats by right handers against Cingrani. Last year, Mercer, Gaby, Harrison, Cutch were all killing left handed pitching. If I remember correctly, most of them were batting .300+ versus lefties last year. Mercer looks completely lost at the plate this year. Cumpton pitched his ass off for the team yesterday and there were so many opportunities to get a clutch hit by our offense and they just failed. Polanco needs to be up by Monday especially with the visit to Baltimore and DH coming up.
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