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PrintOn the bubble
Starting infielder: After the spring opener Thursday, Jim Tracy spoke in glowing terms about how his infield looked with Jose Bautista at third and Freddy Sanchez at second. Meanwhile, Jose Castillo is just learning third base, and that foot injury yesterday could loom large if it costs him time.
Advantage: Bautista
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Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Two home runs Thursday didn't hurt Luis Matos. Click photo for larger image.  |
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Advantage: Armas
Bullpen: Difficult to discern relief performances at this stage, good or bad, with so many high-numbered, no-named players batting late in games. This should heat up in the coming week.
Advantage: Shawn Chacon, Josh Sharpless, Dan Kolb
Bench: Perhaps no one in camp had a better opening couple of days than Luis Matos, with two home runs and sharp defense. That raises the ante for Nate McLouth, Jose Bautista and long shot Chris Aguila for outfield reserve spots.
Advantage: Matos, McLouth, Bautista, Ryan Doumit, Humberto Cota
On the spot
Non-baseball questions for starter Zach Duke:
Q. What is that monster truck you are driving?
A. It's a Dodge Ram SRT-10 with a new exhaust I put on. And it's got a Dodge Viper engine in it. Sounds mean, huh? It's just something fun to drive, kind of like a sports car. So much power.
Q. And where do you park it?
A. Well, I'm working on a garage. I had to leave it at PNC Park all offseason. I didn't drive it at all. It's kind of like my play-toy.
Q. Assuming a stereo fits in there, what are you listening to?
A. I have the Killers' new CD. Lot of country music, most of it Texas country. Pat Green, Wade Bowen, the Randy Rogers band ... some mainstream, too.
Q. What prompted you to make your offseason home in the Pittsburgh area?
A. Halfway through last season, I got engaged, and my fiancee has a job up there. So, I didn't want her to give that up and move back home with me in Texas. Plus, I have a nice setup there.
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Brian Bixler Click photo for larger image. |
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On the way up
Brian Bixler, a 24-year-old, right-handed hitting shortstop, struck out 134 times for Class A Hickory in 2005.
When a power hitter does that, no sweat. But a lanky infielder?
So, last season, he tightened his strike zone and hit a combined .302 for high Class A Lynchburg and Class AA Altoona. That included 29 doubles, 8 home runs, 52 RBIs, 24 steals, as well as reliable defense.
Which is why Brian Graham, the Pirates' director of player development, labeled Bixler the most improved player in the system last year.
"Much, much improved," Graham said. "This guy's an above-average runner with great agility, really good balance. He showed that last season, and he's been really impressive in this camp."
Bixler still struck out too much, but the total was down to 115, and it was offset to some extent by 51 walks.
"I really worked on my two-strike approach," Bixler said. "And overall, I feel like I took all my experience from the years before, and everything just clicked."
A good spring would put Bixler with Class AAA Indianapolis.
On deck
Thursday: The first full-squad workout of minor-league camp often is preceded by the first wave of cuts. Which prospects will stick around for a longer look? Andrew McCutchen might, but expect Neil Walker to go where he can get more work at third base.
On the record
Adam LaRoche, new first baseman, asked if he detected any trace of the Pirates' 14-year losing streak in the clubhouse --
"I'm sorry, but I just don't see it. Not from anyone, top to bottom."
Kevin McClatchy, left, and Bob Nutting were relaxed and having fun Monday -- the day they met with the Pirates players in Bradenton, Fla.
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