The Pirates ended the decade the same way they began it- circling last, with a new set of prospects, a bunch of hopeless veterans, and a glimmer of hope for the future. While it's too early to say who'll become the new versions of Andrew McCutchen, Gerrit Cole and Josh Harrison, it's intriguing to see a team like this start banking on rookie talent again.
Elias Diaz is technically a veteran, but this was his first season as the predominant starting catcher in Pittsburgh. His numbers weren't too special, with a .241 average and 28 RBIs in 105 games, and his defensive numbers were just as lackluster.
Why Him in 2019?: He was seeded first in the catching depth chart after Cervelli left
2020 Prediction: Will be backing up some rookie catcher somewhere.
The 2018 season culminated in the Pirates giving up Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows and Shane Baz for Chris Archer. The 2019 season illuminated how BAD OF AN IDEA THAT WAS, PITTSBURGH. Archer has continued his downward slide, with a 3-9 record and a 5.19 ERA in 23 starts, even with 143 Ks.
Why Him in 2019?: Had to fall for Musgrove and Lyles to rise.
2020 Prediction: Won't finish the year with the Bucs
You'd think that Trevor Williams would have fared better with more playing time, but with a 7-9 record in 26 starts, and a 5.38 record, Williams was at the mercy of the superior offenses of his opponents.
Why Him in 2019?: Led the team in homers allowed.
2020 Prediction: A scorching start with a sub-3 ERA, and he'll be rewarded with a trade to a contender. Where he'll tank again.
Melky Cabrera will go down as the single most confounding player of the 2010s. Does he work as an everyday starting outfielder? Yes, but not after the ASG break (2012). Does he work as a mid-lineup DH? Yes, but not for more than 16 homers (2013-2017). The last few years he's been a solid bench bat for the Indians and now the Pirates- both stints he worked with a .280 average. In Pittsburgh he started a ton more games, finished with 106 hits and 47 RBIs, but was a liability in the outfield.
Why Him in 2019?: Most productive member of the Pittsburgh bench
2020 Prediction: Someone'll sign him for cheap, and he'll let them down.
The other amusing bench experiment was Jose Osuna, the longtime Pittsburgh farmhand who finally hit worth his name this year, with a .264 average and 36 RBIs in 95 games.
Why Him in 2019?: Proved his worth after 3 years on the bench
2020 Prediction: More playing time, more of a swing-man role.
And the other longtime prospect that finally made an impact for the Pirates was Cole Tucker, who came up to help at SS after Erik Gonzalez flopped, only to...flounder at the plate himself (.211), and lose a gig to Kevin Newman
Why Him in 2019?: That hair made him an early fan favorite at PNC
2020 Prediction: Might spend a bit more time in the minors, but will get some playing time backing up Newman.
One of my favorite aspects of the Pirates' 2019 season was their decision to bring back their ace from the playoff runs, Francisco Liriano, as a relief specialist. In that role, despite not getting as much GLORY as he did in the early part of the decade, Liriano was still consistent as hell, with a 3.47 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 70 innings.
Why Him in 2019?: Probably the best reliever of the season in general for the Pirates
2020 Prediction: Someone without many pitching options will sign him; I predict he'll start some games as well.
After Felipe Vazquez was arrested on some generally horrible charges, the role of closer was vacant. Thankfully, this was just when Keone Kela was coming back into form after an injury, so the job was his. Despite not having many save opportunities, Kela's relief work was still sharp, with a 2.12 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 32 games.
Why Him in 2019?: The guy who took over for Vazquez, essentially
2020 Prediction: I hope they call on him to close full-time, and I hope he gets back to his Rangers stuff.
Coming Tomorrow- Speaking of the Rangers, their fledgling heroes right before the revamp.
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