McGhee Excels As Pirates Fall To Twins

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Grant Jefferies/Bradenton Herald

The Pittsburgh Pirates may have had a few holes to fill this off-season, but none were bigger than those at the corner infield positions.  Pedro Alvarez may still be the front runner and future of the third base position, but has yet to show that he intends to be the superstar one would expect from a number one draft pick.  Across the infield first base has been a huge question mark for many years with the Pirates and they still do not appear to have the long term answer to who will fill that position.  That is why Pittsburgh went out and traded for Casey McGehee.  McGehee is capable of playing both positions, is young, and if he can play more like he did his first two seasons in the Majors, will definitely give the Pirates the pop in the lineup we all are looking for.

Today McGehee started at third base and defensively looked like someone who has played the position for years.  The second inning alone made him look like a gold glove caliber player.  The first out came on a ground ball that appeared to head down the line, but with english on the ball, it began to spin towards the hole into short.  Casey was able to stop pick up the ball and gun the runner out at first.  He would then record the final out of the inning by diving to prevent a ball from going to the outfield and throw the runner out.  Offensively he showed signs of regaining that early career form going 3-3 with an RBI.

Erik Bedard had a great day on the bump for the Buccos as he would go three innings allowing one hit with three strikeouts.  If Bedard can build on starts like today he should be considered as an option to start on opening day.  Nate McClouth also looked like his old self today going 2-2 with a walk at the plate.  Chase d’Arnaud would collect a hit and an RBI today.  Joel “The Hammer” Hanrahan looked lights out again striking out two in an inning of work.

Unfortunately there were some signs that this was a spring training game.  McClouth would be caught stealing twice today, Rod Barajas was thrown out going from second to home on a ball that was hit to the outfield wall, and with the bases loaded and no outs Pittsburgh managed only one run.  Jo Jo Reyes had a rough outting allowing four runs on five hits while striking out two and walking one in three innings of work.  These mistakes were big factors in the Pirates losing to the Minnesota Twins 4-2.

Neil Walker is said to be back in action tomorrow as the Pirates will head to Port Charlotte to take on the Tampa Bay Rays tomorrow at 1:05.  It was also reported that A.J. Burnett has been cleared to begin working out, as he looks to get back on track to recovering from an orbital fracture.

Grapefruit League Record:  3-5

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Meet Your Bucs: Jeff Locke and Jared Hughes

by Zane Heiple

The Pittsburgh Pirates were busy making roster moves on Tuesday.  Included in those moves was the bringing up of two players who we have not seen in Pittsburgh uniforms during this season.  Left-handed pitcher Jeff Locke and right-handed pitcher Jared Hughes will make their 2011 debuts for the Pirates the next time they are called upon by manager Clint Hurdle.

Photo by bleacherreport.com

Locke is a former second round pick of the Atlanta Braves in the 2006 draft.  He came to the Pittsburgh organization on June 3, 2009 along with Charlie Morton and Gorkys Hernandez in exchange for Nate McClouth.  Once with the Buccos he was assigned to Class A Lynchburg and then Bradenton when the team was moved.  In July of 2010 he was promoted to AA Altoona.  Locke remained in Altoona for the rest of 2010 and appeared in 23 games for the team in 2011.  While in Altoona he posted a 7-8 record, an ERA of 4.03, and would strike out 114 batters to go with 46 walks.  After he was promoted to AAA Indianapolis, he would go 1-2 with a 2.22 ERA, while striking out 25 and walking 9.

Photo by pirates.scout.com

Hughes was a fourth round pick of the Buccos during the 2006 draft.  During his time in the Pirates minor league organization, he has been at all levels.  He would begin the 2011 season with the AA Altoona Curve.  In Altoona he would start 11 of the 13 games he appeared in posting a 3-4 record while posting an ERA of 4.09.  His time with AAA Indianapolis would see him come out of the bullpen 35 times and strike out 45 batters while walking 18.  When summoned out of the bullpen he would post a 3-1 record and an ERA 2.11.

The stage is set for both of these players to show that they are ready to handle facing Major League batters when given the opportunity.  Management has yet to announce if they will call up any other players from the minors before the 2011 season ends at the end of this month.