Batting order among the Bucs priorities – MLB News
While the third day of Winter Meetings remained eventful for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they acquired pitcher Andrew Oliver from the Detroit Tigers, manager Clint Hurdle spoke on a number of other issues that remain as the club’s concern.
The successful batting order is a challenge for the Pirates. It was an area wherein the Pirates hoped they did better. The way things moved during the first and second half of the season were not reassuring as a whole because the team had a downward spiral after an initial rise.
Apart from Andrew McCutchen who was a big success with 194 hits, no other batter apparently rose up to the expectations.
From all the available options, the Pirates have to sort out who they are to use as leadoff men. The manager, however, is not showing any haste. Apparently, Spring Training will be a good time to assess how things go for them as a whole when it comes to leadoff men.
"I don't know right now [who will lead off]. I've got some thoughts. I've got some thoughts on who I'd like to hit second, too. When you look at our personnel, you definitely want people up there that can move. We'll see how it plays out,” said the manager.
Having said that, the manager is fully confident; asserting that the right guys are available to the team as there are some that can be used in leverage situations - something that he also alluded to while speaking about the subject.
Clint Hurdle had recently suggested batting Russell Martin at the Number two spot. That suggestion did raise a few eyebrows but he has reasons to go for that.
"How many prototypical leadoff men are in the game right now?" Hurdle asked. "But a man that can get on base, can score runs ... and the second guy is maybe someone to walk, handle the bat, stretch out an at-bat and get on base."
All said, the Pirates will be able to find a way out in Spring Training wherein everything will be clear to them as far as the potential moves for the upcoming season is concerned.
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