Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Breakouts

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Everyone says that Spring Training stats mean nothing. We can all agree that when a player hangs up his spikes, nobody is going to say, “He had such a great career; he hit .345 in Spring Training games.” However, there is still value in these stats, especially in mid-March when rosters are being built and minor league assignments are being made. It can be especially huge for players in the high minors looking to force their way onto an MLB roster. Let’s take a look at three of the top prospects from the Pirates and the hot starts they’re off to.

Colin Moran was acquired in January, in the deal that sent Gerrit Cole to Houston. The former first-round pick has always been a high average/on base percentage type hitter with limited power. After hitting only 30 home runs in his first 4 minor league seasons, Moran seemed to put it all together in 2017 at the Triple-A level. He earned a late July call up for the eventual World Series champs. Moran was off to a quick start before a foul ball off his face essentially ended his season. Despite only 34 career major league at bats, the Pirates were at least tentatively prepared to hand Moran the job. Moran has taken the opportunity and run with it. With the most at bats of any Pirates hitter, Moran is slashing .379/.419/.483, with 3 of his 11 hits going for extra bases. The power surge in 2017 likely came from a much-improved fly ball rate of 40.2%, up from his previous 2 seasons at 31.5% and 29.7%. It seems that the power surge could very easily be here to stay. I don’t think it’s out of the question for Moran to hit above .280 with 20+ home runs and a high on base percentage. Here’s an interesting column from Adam Berry that I found on Moran’s path to the Pirates:

Here’s a Spring Training off-night story about Colin Moran and his path to the @Pirates: https://t.co/SnuC4Ox52s pic.twitter.com/oQaoDhVy17

— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) March 7, 2018

Austin Meadows came into the spring with a very different outlook. Coming off a couple injury plagued seasons, the shine was starting to wear off. Many Pirates fans had hoped Meadows would be ready to take the torch from Andrew McCutchen in center field, but it was starting to look like Meadows may never be healthy enough for that reality. With just 410 at bats across 2 seasons in Triple-A, while slashing .239/.306/.390, Meadows needed to come on strong, and he did just that. While 19 Spring Training at bats doesn’t say much of anything about long-term health, Meadows has said this spring that he’s fully healthy for the first time in a while and its shown. A .368/.429/.737 triple slash with 4 of his 7 hits going for extra bases, a stolen base in his only attempt and 2 walks with only 2 strikeouts, Meadows has Pirates fans salivating at the possibilities. I initially thought with a big spring Meadows could find himself in Pittsburgh to open the year, until Corey Dickerson stepped into left field. However, I don’t think it’ll be long until Meadows finds his way to Pittsburgh if he can prove he can remain healthy.

It didn’t take long for Pirates fans to compare 2015’s 2^nd round draft pick Kevin Kramer to then current Pittsburgh 2B Neil Walker. Kramer was considered a strong top of the lineup hitter, with good ability to draw a walk and the potential to reach 20 homers as he progressed towards the majors. Through his first 600 or so at bats though, that power had not shown up. Kramer was getting on base at a high rate, as advertised, but the Pirates asked him to put in some work after the 2016 season to find the power they had hoped to see. Kramer did not disappoint in his first shot at Double-A hitting 6 home runs in 202 at bats, while maintaining his slash line of .297/.380/.500. Then he suffered a broken hand, ending his season in June. It was enough to earn a non-roster invitation to major league camp this season. Kramer has taken advantage of that shot, slashing .313/.500/.875 in his 16 at bats. All 5 of Kramer’s hits have gone for extra bases with 2 doubles, 2 triples, and a home run, he’s scored 6 runs, knocked in 4 and walked 5 times.

#Pirates No. 9 prospect Kevin Kramer slugs a three-run shot in Grapefruit League action. https://t.co/YhzitqSOt2 pic.twitter.com/jS7KlbQWh3

— MiLB.com (@MiLB) February 25, 2018

On Monday, March 12^th, Kramer survived the first round of cuts, but barring something unforeseen, he isn’t going to stick with the big club for much longer. With only 202 at bats in Double-A, the Pirates could choose to send Kramer there to start the year before a likely promotion to Triple-A at some point, with a cup of coffee in the bigs by the end of the season.

The future is bright in Pittsburgh, with many of the young prospects reaching the Pirates at the same time. We may be seeing a young core that can combine with some of the young talent already in Pittsburgh. This could get the team back into contention in 2019 and beyond.

Article featured image of Kevin Kramer – courtesy of MiLB.com on Twitter

Ryan James

An absolute sports fanatic. Be it at the office or a family gathering, you can usually find me talking sports, especially baseball. When I am not at the office working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at a small bureau in the Dept. of Human Services, I love to golf, go to Baltimore to catch the O’s or Ravens and spend time with my amazing wife. Follow me on Twitter @RyanJames5.