2012 Record: 79-83, 4th NL Central
2012 Pythagorean Record: 78-84
Impact Player: CF Andrew McCutchen
Impact Pitcher: RHP A.J. Burnett
Top Prospect: RHP Gerrit Cole
Significant Acquisitions: C Russell Martin, RHP Mark Melancon, UT Brandon Inge, RHP Kyle Waldrop, LHP Jonathan Sanchez, RHP Mike Zagurski, IF Ivan DeJesus Jr.
Significant Departures: RHP Joel Hanrahan, RHP Chris Resop, C Rod Barajas, UT Drew Sutton
For the second straight year, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ first half was much better than expected. On August 8 of last year, they beat the Diamondbacks and moved to 63-47 and sat just two-and-a-half games behind the eventual NL Central champion Reds. But their success, just as it was the year before, was unsustainable. Pittsburgh finished the year going 16-36 to finish with their 20th consecutive losing season, but still had their best record since 1997.
It finally appears, however, that the Pirates are on the right track. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen emerged as one of the game’s best players and there’s a decent core of young position players that seem to be coming into their own such as third baseman Pedro Alvarez and second baseman Neil Walker. With two of the best pitching prospects in baseball set to make their big league debuts sometime this season, things are looking brighter for Pittsburgh than they have in some time.
The organization took some flack last year after reports came out that Navy SEAL training drills were being run in the extended spring training, which led to some players getting hurt — including some top prospects. The ordeal ended in an investigation by owner Bob Nutting and a promise to stop the drills. The team also whiffed on signing first-round draft pick Mark Appel who was expected to go first-overall but slipped to the Pirates at number-eight. Appel decided to re-enter the draft next year when the team couldn’t offer him close to his asking price.
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