Position Report Card: Catcher

The Pittsburgh Pirates have seem to have found a good thing when it comes to acquiring former New York Yankees. First there was AJ Burnett, then Russell Martin, and this year was Chris Stewart.

So both of the Pirates catchers this year were former Yankees, and they both seem to like it in Pittsburgh. Russell Martin excelled in his first season in Pittsburgh last year, but was even better this year, putting up MVP like numbers. Chris Stewart had one of his best years of his career. He hit close to .300 (.294), playing in about a third of the games this season.

Russell Martin will probably win a gold glove this year for being the best defensive catcher in the National League, but not only that, he had an on-base percentage of over .400 (.402). His best quality although is one that cannot be measured by statistics. He is a great veteran presence on and off the field, he manages the pitching staff extremely well, and he is undoubtedly the heart and sole leader of the Pirates. If this was indeed his last season in Pittsburgh, then he is going to be truly missed withing the organization and by fans all over Pittsburgh.

Russell Martin
photo cred: www.steelcitybuzz.come

The position of backup catcher might be the most undervalued position in all of baseball. Finding a catcher that can fill in for the starter about every third day, handle the pitching staff, and play well both offensively and defensively is about as difficult as it sounds, but the Pirates did just that this year in the form of Chris Stewart. Stewart hit .294 in 49 games, and held a solid .991 fielding percentage (3 errors).

Chris Stewart
photo cred: espn.com

The only area for improvement where both Martin and Stewart were lacking was in the power department. Martin finished the year with 11 home runs, and Stewart did not hit 1. Stewart also only had 5 doubles the entire year. Other than that there are no complaints.

***Grade:  A-

MVP?

Clayton Kershaw, will he win the MVP in 2014?
photo cred: thegurdian.com

Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates CF
photo cred:  espn.com

            VS.









What a year it was for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Realistically, the Pirates have three legitimate Most Valuable Player candidates for the National League, and it should surprise nobody if after all the votes have been counted Andrew McCutchen, Russell Martin, and Josh Harrison all finish in the top-10 for the race.

Andrew McCutchen CF, and the reigning NL MVP:

Hit .314 in 146 games this past year with an on-base percentage of .410, for a slugging percentage of .952. Hit 25 balls out of the park this year and drove in 83, while stealing 18 bases. I would say that it is pretty much down to him and LA Dodger's pitcher, Clayton Kershaw to take home the award.


Who do you think will bring home the MVP hardware this year?

Time To Move On

Well, its been almost two weeks since that game that we'd all like to forget. The game where the San Francisco Giants crushed the Pirates hopes and dreams of a championship with an 8-0 beat down, and for anybody that is still sulking, sad, or even refused to watch baseball because the Pirates are eliminated, stop and cheer up. There is some great baseball being played in the American and National League Championship Series.

The feel-good story of the Kansas City Royals, a team a lot like the Pirates, are currently up 2 games to none on the American League East Champion Baltimore Orioles. So there is a team to root for right there.

Also the Giants, yes those Giants, are up 1 game to zero on the Pirates bitter rival the St. Louis Cardinals. It would be a pretty good thing to see the Giants win becuase as a Pirate fan you could say your team lost to the best team left, and it goes without saying, its alwyas a good thing to see the Cardinals lose.

So in conclusion... Cheer up Pirate fans, life goes on

A depressed Pittsburgh fan (don't let this be you)
photo cred: espn.com