23 SIDEARM REVIEW: #15 PITTSBURGH PIRATES

                                           JUANES PIRATES IN PLAYOFF MODE 

( Pause in the league reviews due to my bout with Covid.  I think the worse is over and it looks like clear sailing in the future.)


FRONT OFFICE

Steve Juanes has 8 years in the SSL resulting in 5 playoff appearances and 1 World Series appearance.  No rings to date but you never know what can happen once you reach the tournament of randomness.  Now on to the numbers.


ROTATION

Cueto 717
Montas 710
Lorenzen 679
Elder 643
McCullers 640
Da. Martin 748


RELIEF

Ja. Adam  471
Iglesias 572
W. Peralta 594
Jansen  612
Thielbar 614
Bush  630
Quijada 636
Okert  648


LINEUP

Varsho c 745
Miranda 1b 751
Edman  2b 725
M. Rojas ss  605
E. Rivera 3b  702
Pederson  of 874
Kepler of  666
O. Herrera of 658
McCutcheon dh 700

BENCH

Camaro if 613
Duffy if 619
Hosmer 1b 716
Refsnyder of 881
Ruf 1b  645


ANALYSIS

Cueto reminds me of Luis Tiant back in the day.  He always seems to rise to the occasion and comes through in the clutch.  Montas seems like he is destined to a career marred by injuries.  Lorenzen, Elder and McCullers look like solid pieces if they stay healthy.  Dave Martin perplexes me....

One of the main things I have noticed in doing these team reviews is the quality of so many bullpens.  The Pirates are no exception.  Jason Adam (472), Iglesias (572) and Wily Peralta (594) are all top shelf.  Jansen (612), Theilbar (614), Bush (630), Quijada (636) and Okert (648) can all shut down rallies.  

Pederson destroys RHP.  Varsho is the ultimate utility knife, covering everything from behind the plate to the depths of centerfield.  Refsnyder (881) is a pleasant surprise but has limited PAs.  McCutcheon and Hosmer can fill some gaps while the Pirates wait for Kepler and Miranda to reach their potential.  Edman is another player who can do alot of good things in the future. 

The Pirates play in the weak NL West so look for the Pirates to win the NL West Crown.  As for the playoffs, anything can happen but the #15 ranking does not indicate the Pirates will go far in the playoffs.