Opening Day is upon us. After a long spring and off-season, we enter the marathon that is the regular season.
This will be the fourth regular season under Ben Cherington, and realistically, it’s the first one where things are really back to ‘normal’ after the pandemic and lockout out last year.
At this point in the current regime, taking a big step towards competitive play is crucial. A playoff spot isn’t expected, but it should be expected to see a noticeable difference in the on-field play.
The front office injected as much talent as they could to the system. They will get one more big addition with the first overall pick, in what is a very loaded top of the draft. We’ve seen some of that talent start to make their ways to Pittsburgh, with even more on the way. That includes perhaps their biggest breakout star under this front office.
The rotation has a chance to be good, with actual depth, as we are already being forced to see with JR Brubaker injured. They also have perhaps one of the biggest wildcards in baseball playing shortstop.
Throughout the system, there are several players knocking on the door, including a couple of their first round drafts over the past few seasons. There was enough competition that arguably one of their top performers in spring didn’t make the team out of camp.
In the lower levels, there is plenty evidence of the Pirates focus on bringing in as many high upside prospects as possible, and have a slew of prospects that could easily have one of those ‘breakout’ type years they’ve seen in each of the last two seasons.
That doesn’t mean it hasn’t come with bumps in the road, as the system doesn’t seem nearly as strong as it did just a year ago. Losing players like Oneil Cruz and Roansy Contreras will do that, but you can also feel some cooling on them in general among the national outlets.
Those lower level prospects, while they have an amazing amount of upside, still rely mostly on the ‘projection’ title, and inherently carry a good amount of a ‘bust factor’ in them.
They will need to focus on establishing a credible floor to their game, which some of the pitchers will do so in one of the harshest environments in the minors in Greensboro.
They brought in just enough veterans to help guide the younger players through another long season, but it will still be on them to take that next step on their own.
It will be a long season, filled with plenty of ups and downs, but when it’s all said and down it’s time for the organization to take one giant leap forward. If it’s not a winning record, it should leave you feeling an air of confidence heading into 2024.
Pirates Prospects Daily
By John Dreker
It’s Opening Day! This post will serve as the Game Discussion thread. The lineup will be posted below once it becomes available.
**Pirate City Notes: Henry Davis Gets Work in Right Field Tim Williams has notes from the minor league side
**Pirates Draft Prospect Watch: Dollander vs Skenes/Crews is Must See TV Don’t miss this article if the draft interest you even a little bit
**Pirates Prospects Daily: New Approach From Johan Oviedo Could Work
**Pirates DVR: Canaan Smith-Njigba Home Run, Javier Rivas Hit, Oneil Cruz Double
**Here’s Where the Pirates Roster Sits Now
Song of the Day
Today’s Lineup
Opening Day is finally here!
Reds Lineup
Today's starting lineup for the 147th Opening Day in Cincinnati!
Powered by @PNCBank pic.twitter.com/eSTCenkf4N
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 30, 2023
