Pirates' Struggling Offense: OBP and Runs Scored

[magnumo]

With one third of the season over, here's another update. The Pirates remain 30th of 30 MLB teams, with a team OBP of .277. Here again is a list of our position players, re-ordered by their current OBP's:

.404 --> .391 --> .392 McCutchen
.309 --> .299 --> .322 Walker
.244 --> .255 --> .299 Barajas
.301 --> .279 --> .298 McGehee
----------------> .298 Hague (recently recalled)
.243 --> .308 --> .284 Harrison
.287 --> .270 --> .279 Tabata
.298 --> .278 --> .279 McKenry
-------> .200 --> .273 Hernandez (recently optioned)
.274 --> .240 --> .256 Jones
.256 --> .260 --> .255 Navarro (recently optioned)
.246 --> .246 --> .252 Presley
.277 --> .268 --> .250 Alvarez
.183 --> .206 --> .214 Barmes
.250 --> .210 --> .210 McLouth (released)
----------------> .200 Mercer (recently recalled)

Overall, the list shows some small improvement.

 

[sychmd]

barajas, mcgehee, and hague.

not bad if we can get these threats with some consistency.

i got to believe barmes continues his climb to average out the nightmare that was his sub-SAT start.

 

[Darkstone42]

An update to this thread:

In the month of June, the Pirates' offense has been decidedly middling, which will make them competitive the rest of the way with the pitching they have right now.

14th in OBP, 9th in slugging, 10th in OPS, and 9th in runs scored.

April and May were so bad, with everyone decidedly underachieving (McCutchen aside), that we won't see the effects in the yearly rankings, but I think the current run is a more accurate (if not perfectly accurate) representation of the talent in our lineup than the April/May numbers.

Adding one more bat, the likes of even a Headley type player, would stabilize our offense as middling, I believe, and keep us in the hunt the rest of the way, not just for a .500 season, but for a playoff berth.

 

[Darkstone42]

As an addendum to my previous post, the Pirates are still middling in the month of June offensively. The longer this trend lasts, the more inclined I am to accept it as what we should expect for the rest of the year.

By position, just roughly looking at stats, in the month of June was have gotten average production from first base, second base, catcher, and left field (approximately), slightly below average from right field, well below average from short stop, above average from third base, and well above average from center field. This furthers my inclination to believe the offense is average right now.

With our above average pitching, it may be safe to actually believe the Pirates are an above-average team.

 

[thedddd]

Well tonight it was good to see the team put up 5 runs with McCutchen going 0-5 with 2 k's.

 

[magnumo]

This is another thread which I had intended to update at the season's halfway point. Oh, well.

As a team, the Pirates have moved up to 28th of 30 MLB teams in OBP, at .302. The team has improved more dramatically in runs (18th) and slugging (16th).

At any rate, after 91 games, here are the OBP's of all position players who have played for the Pirates this season:

.404 --> .391 --> .392 --> .423 McCutchen
.309 --> .299 --> .322 --> .367 Walker
.298 --> .278 --> .279 --> .336 McKenry
-------------------------> .333 Fryer
.301 --> .279 --> .298 --> .315 McGehee
-------------------------> .300 Sutton
.277 --> .268 --> .250 --> .299 Alvarez
.287 --> .270 --> .279 --> .295 Tabata
.274 --> .240 --> .256 --> .293 Jones
.244 --> .255 --> .299 --> .290 Barajas
.243 --> .308 --> .284 --> .285 Harrison
.246 --> .246 --> .252 --> .272 Presley
----------------> .298 --> .270 Hague
.256 --> .260 --> .255 --> .255 Navarro
.183 --> .206 --> .214 --> .229 Barmes
----------------> .200 --> .222 Mercer
.250 --> .210 --> .210 --> .210 McLouth
-------> .200 --> .273 --> .167 Hernandez

Observations:

- McCutchen..... WOW! Can he keep it up?

- Very nice improvements from Walker and McKenry.

- Improvements by McGehee, Alvarez, and Jones mirror their increased contributions to the Pirates' offense. However, all three have plenty of room for additional improvement.

- Despite all his troubles, Tabata remains better than Presley (in OBP).

- Barmes continues to show slow but steady improvement in OBP. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely he will EVER reach a minimum adequate OBP.

 

[thecrow124]

It is hard to dislike the catching tandem at this point, I thought McKenry should have been the starter going into spring training, but Barajajajas is proving to be very helpful to the rotation and McKenry himself.

 

[sychmd]

they have exceeded expectations, even counting the nightmare start they both had.

i think next year the split 50:50 to 40:60 in favor of McK.

then McK is the starter and hopefully will learn how to throw some guys out.
we have nothing in the pipeline and it would be nice if we didnt have to use a lot of prospects to pry a good prospect or young catcher in a trade.

 

[Etrius24]

I really think Alvarez has another level to take his game to... He has shown he can hit the baseball into the seats...He is on pace for what 35 homeruns? He has shown signs of walking more at times... I am waiting for the patience and the power to result in his batting average climbing. I am not saying he will hit .300... but I honestly think he has it in him to hit .260-.280..And with that average and that kind of power...Pitchers will walk him more... I keep waiting for his OBP to be .360-.380! I see him turn in quality at bats.. I see him making adjustments... I see him slowly get more consistent... I think this kid is very close to taking another step forward offensively.

When that happens Pedro will have the protection he needs in the lineup...and the Bucs will have a legit 1-2-3 power combo in Cutch, Pedro and Jones.

 

[magnumo]

they have exceeded expectations, even counting the nightmare start they both had.

i think next year the split 50:50 to 40:60 in favor of McK.

then McK is the starter and hopefully will learn how to throw some guys out.
we have nothing in the pipeline and it would be nice if we didnt have to use a lot of prospects to pry a good prospect or young catcher in a trade.

Do you expect Barajas to be re-signed for 2013?

 

[Darkstone42]

I really think Alvarez has another level to take his game to... He has shown he can hit the baseball into the seats...He is on pace for what 35 homeruns? He has shown signs of walking more at times... I am waiting for the patience and the power to result in his batting average climbing. I am not saying he will hit .300... but I honestly think he has it in him to hit .260-.280..And with that average and that kind of power...Pitchers will walk him more... I keep waiting for his OBP to be .360-.380! I see him turn in quality at bats.. I see him making adjustments... I see him slowly get more consistent... I think this kid is very close to taking another step forward offensively.

When that happens Pedro will have the protection he needs in the lineup...and the Bucs will have a legit 1-2-3 power combo in Cutch, Pedro and Jones.

Jones has been very good this year, for sure. And McGehee has contributed a lot, too. Our "first base platoon tandem" has given us 21 home runs and 74 RBI this season. Sure, there's overlap in playing time since Jones has been in the outfield a bit more lately, but those two have been productive combined, and I think we'll see the best of each if/when we get an upgrade in the outfield and go back to a platoon situation.

 

[sychmd]

i thought he and barmes and burnett were 2 yr deals and bedard was one yr.
maybe i was mistaken.

maybe he would enjoy the ride for cheap with burnett on a fun contending team that he can mentor mcK one more year.

all this assumes we dont get a stud catcher to take overvia FA or trade as we have other bigger holes to plug.

 

[magnumo]

i thought he and barmes and burnett were 2 yr deals and bedard was one yr.
maybe i was mistaken.

maybe he would enjoy the ride for cheap with burnett on a fun contending team that he can mentor mcK one more year.

all this assumes we dont get a stud catcher to take overvia FA or trade as we have other bigger holes to plug.

- Barmes signed for 2 years: $5 mill for 2012 and $5.5 mill for 2013.

- Burnett had 2 years left on his 5-year deal: Pirates are paying $5 mill in 2012 and $8 mill in 2013 (of $16.5 mill each year).

- Bedard is on a 1-year contract in 2012 for $4.5 mill.

- Barajas is on a 1-year deal for $4 mill in 2012, with a $3.5 mill club option for 2013 (no buyout). I SHOULD HAVE asked whether you expected the Pirates to pick up Barajas's option for 2013. When he signed the deal, I didn't think there was a snowball's-chance-in-a-hot-place that the Pirates would pick up that option..... especially with Barajas turning 37 this coming September. But I guess it's possible, depending upon how much credit the Pirate brain trust believes he deserves for our pitching performance.

 

[sychmd]

- Barmes signed for 2 years: $5 mill for 2012 and $5.5 mill for 2013.

- Burnett had 2 years left on his 5-year deal: Pirates are paying $5 mill in 2012 and $8 mill in 2013 (of $16.5 mill each year).

- Bedard is on a 1-year contract in 2012 for $4.5 mill.

- Barajas is on a 1-year deal for $4 mill in 2012, with a $3.5 mill club option for 2013 (no buyout). I SHOULD HAVE asked whether you expected the Pirates to pick up Barajas's option for 2013. When he signed the deal, I didn't think there was a snowball's-chance-in-a-hot-place that the Pirates would pick up that option..... especially with Barajas turning 37 this coming September. But I guess it's possible, depending upon how much credit the Pirate brain trust believes he deserves for our pitching performance.

thanks for the research. you are quite reliable.
i thought we had something with him for 2 years. looks like a reasonable deal as long as he is healthy as you also get a happier burnett when you get barajas for and for relatively cheap in these times.

 

[magnumo]

thanks for the research. you are quite reliable.
i thought we had something with him for 2 years. looks like a reasonable deal as long as he is healthy as you also get a happier burnett when you get barajas for and for relatively cheap in these times.

You're welcome. And thank YOU for raising the question.

Actually, Barmes, Burnett, and Bedard came from memory..... but, as a result of your posts, I went to Cot's to look up Barajas:

Cot's Baseball Contracts

After further review, I agree with your position about keeping Barajas for 2013, as long as he's healthy (and performing at a reasonable level).

 

[magnumo]

100 games seems like a good time for another update. Here it is:

.404 --> .391 --> .392 --> .423 --> .426 McCutchen
.309 --> .299 --> .322 --> .367 --> .359 Walker
.298 --> .278 --> .279 --> .336 --> .341 McKenry
-------------------------> .333 --> .333 Fryer
----------------> .200 --> .222 --> .304 Mercer
.301 --> .279 --> .298 --> .315 --> .300 McGehee
.287 --> .270 --> .279 --> .295 --> .295 Tabata
.277 --> .268 --> .250 --> .299 --> .292 Alvarez
.274 --> .240 --> .256 --> .293 --> .291 Jones
-------------------------> .300 --> .286 Sutton
.243 --> .308 --> .284 --> .285 --> .282 Harrison
.244 --> .255 --> .299 --> .290 --> .279 Barajas
.246 --> .246 --> .252 --> .272 --> .276 Presley
----------------> .298 --> .270 --> .270 Hague
.256 --> .260 --> .255 --> .255 --> .255 Navarro
.183 --> .206 --> .214 --> .229 --> .233 Barmes
.250 --> .210 --> .210 --> .210 --> .210 McLouth
-------> .200 --> .273 --> .167 --> .154 Hernandez

Observations and opinions:

- Cutch is still doin' it!!

- McKenry is making a strong statement for more playing time vs. Barajas.

- Alvarez, Jones, and McGehee NEED to get on base more.

- Despite Tabata's rise in ranking (while he's at Indy), he should STAY at Indy until he gets his head out of his butt and back into the game. I continue to have high hopes for Jose, but his behavior just ain't cuttin' it.

- Barmes continues his S--L--O--W improvement. We need a shortstop with a bat! Mercer is far from a guaranteed solution, but it seems that he should get a chance to play more..... to show whether his defense is good enough AND whether he's ready to hit major league pitching (at least better than Barmes).

 

[magnumo]

Been a while since I updated this one at the 100-game mark. After 136 games (26 left to play), the Pirates are 23rd of 30 ML teams in runs scored and 27th in OBP. Obviously, the team will continue to have problems on offense until team OBP improves. The good news is that some individual OBP's don't look as bad as they once did.

Here's an update of all position players who have played for the Pirates this season, ranked by current OBP:

------------------------------------------> .444 Holt
.404 --> .391 --> .392 --> .423 --> .426 --> .408 McCutchen
------------------------------------------> .360 Snider
.309 --> .299 --> .322 --> .367 --> .359 --> .342 Walker
------------------------------------------> .338 Sanchez
.274 --> .240 --> .256 --> .293 --> .291 --> .332 Jones
.298 --> .278 --> .279 --> .336 --> .341 --> .330 McKenry
.277 --> .268 --> .250 --> .299 --> .292 --> .324 Alvarez
.287 --> .270 --> .279 --> .295 --> .295 --> .303 Tabata
.301 --> .279 --> .298 --> .315 --> .300 --> .297 McGehee
------------------------------------------> .287 Marte
.243 --> .308 --> .284 --> .285 --> .282 --> .283 Harrison
.246 --> .246 --> .252 --> .272 --> .276 --> .281 Presley
-------------------------> .300 --> .286 --> .278 Sutton
.244 --> .255 --> .299 --> .290 --> .279 --> .273 Barajas
----------------> .298 --> .270 --> .270 --> .270 Hague
.183 --> .206 --> .214 --> .229 --> .233 --> .251 Barmes
-------------------------> .333 --> .333 --> .250 Fryer
----------------> .200 --> .222 --> .304 --> .241 Mercer
.256 --> .260 --> .255 --> .255 --> .255 --> .232 Navarro
.250 --> .210 --> .210 --> .210 --> .210 --> .210 McLouth
-------> .200 --> .273 --> .167 --> .154 --> .154 Hernandez

Observations:

- Of the most recent additions, Holt, Snider, and Sanchez have improved the team's OBP, while Marte has not.

- Jones and Alvarez have shown dramatic improvement since the 100-game mark. Unfortunately, that has coincided with dropoffs from McCutchen and Walker. It's hard to complain about Cutch, who remains over .400.

- Barmes has also shown a significant improvement since the 100-game mark, but he had so far to go (and his mark for the season remains bad enough) that it's almost not worth mentioning.

- The Baltimore Orioles version of Nate McLouth (.322 OBP in 105 at bats) is better than the Pittsburgh version (and better than Tabata and Presley, as well).

 

[sychmd]

Snider is interesting at 360.
wonder what his upside really is, given his age and pedigree.

Assuming Cutch and Marte(i would move marte to CF to protect Cutch's body and wear and tear as well as marte being the better fielder and arm) and jones is our 1B answer, should be interesting next year seeing the fight for the other OF spot between
Tabata, Presley, Snider.
2 are lefties to give us platoon and PH options and flexibility.