Major Additions: Daniel Hudson
Major Losses: Neftali Feliz, Sean Rodriguez, Matt Joyce, Jeff Locke
Strengths: Offense, Pitching Depth
Weaknesses: Top of Rotation, Bullpen
Potential Breakout Stars: Tyler Glasnow, Josh Bell, Adam Frazier, Alen Hansen, Austin Meadows, Dovydas Neverauskas, Edgar Santana
This is a team that will never run out of quality players. Up and down the lineup, they can hit, and the bench is as deep as any in baseball. The outfield has three big stars in Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco, and the back ups are just as exciting. Adam Frazier was called up to the majors last season, and he surprised everyone by slashing .301/.356/.411 (110 wRC+) over his 66 game debut. Top prospect Austin Meadows is knocking on the door, as the 21 year old reached AAA last season and blasted six home runs in 37 games. In the infield, veterans David Freese, Jordy Mercer, and Josh Harrison make up a solid set, even with Jung-Ho Kang possibly out for the season with visa issues most likely stemming from his third DUI. Josh Bell will start at first base, coming off a successful rookie season (.273/.368/.406, 113 wRC+ over 45 games). The 24 year old has shown excellent plate discipline throughout his career, showcased by having more walks (21) than strikeouts (19) in his debut season. If he can't hold down first base, there is still John Jaso, a consistent performer throughout his career if never a star. Backing those guys up will be the underrated Phil Gosselin and top prospect Alen Hansen. The speedy 24 year old has stolen 205 bases in his minor league career with consistent gap power. The rotation begins with Gerrit Cole, who was great from 2013-2015 but who took a step back in 2016 (3.88 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). Still just 26, Cole will look to return to ace form in 2017. Ivan Nova and Drew Hutchison are the other two veterans, but the young guys make this rotation interesting. Jameson Taillon, the second overall pick of the 2010 draft, finally cracked the big leagues in 2016 and didn't disappoint, putting up a 3.38 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP over 18 starts. Chad Kuhl, though a less heralded prospect, held his own in his 14 start rookie season, putting up a 4.20 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. The less established Tyler Glasnow may have the highest ceiling of all of three, evidenced by his outright dominance of the minor leagues (36-19, 2.03 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 645 strikeouts in 500 innings over his career). He reached the bigs in 2016, putting up a respectable 4.24 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP over seven games (four starts). He'll battle with fellow prospects Steven Brault (4.86 ERA, 1.86 WHIP) and Trevor Williams (7.82 ERA, 1.89 WHIP). The bullpen may not be the strong point for this team in the absence of Mark Melancon, but Tony Watson should be able to hold down the relief ace role. Daniel Hudson will look to bounce back from a tough 2016 (5.22 ERA, 1.44 WHIP), and Juan Nicasio, Antonio Bastardo, and Jared Hughes are three established arms. Felipe Rivero and A.J. Schugel will look to further establish themselves in the majors, but there are some young arms to keep an eye on. Rule 5 pick Tyler Webb, Lithuanian national Dovydas Neverauskas, and flamethrower Edgar Santana could all make impacts in 2017. If anybody will challenge the Cubs in the Central, I think it will be this dynamic Pirates team.
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