Pirates Player Projections

[Witlon]

Been toying with doing this for a while now, just wanted to wait until the roster was finalized.

Player Projections

CA Ronny Paulino - Paulino has been awful behind the plate this spring, and only hit .263 last year, with an OPS just over 7. His defense trumps backup Ryan Doumit, though, so he's still the favorite for at bats. 2008 Projection: 400 AB, .255 AVR, 7 HR, 50 RBI, 1 SB.

CA/RF Ryan Doumit - I can't see Doumit figuring into too much playing time in RF, because if Bay or Nady goes, it'll be Steven Pearce who gets the full time job. Doumit always seemed to have a better bat the Paulino, but fighting injuries and defensive woes have kept him from being "that guy." I like Doumit to get more playing time, although most of it will be as a catcher. 2008 Projection: 320 AB, .285 AVR, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 1 SB.

1B Adam LaRoche - We all lived through the pathetic April last year, and I don't know if LaRoche will survive another one the way I felt about him last year, but with as bad as he was he still hit .272-21-88 overall. Now, I'm not going to think that he can go back to his 2006 numbers, but a nice in between 2007 and 2006 would be nice. 2008 Projection: 550 AB, .275 AVR, 26 HR, 90 RBI, 0 SB.

2B Freddy Sanchez - The "if" factor comes into play right here. IF Sanchez can stay healthy with his shoulder, then I could see him competing for another batting title. In full seasons, Sanchez has never hit lower than .291 in his career, so that's probably the floor for the year. Health is the big issue, and I just have to project a little bit of DL time here. 2008 Projection: 560 AB, .315 AVR, 7 HR, 75 RBI, 0 SB.

SS Jack Wilson - Jack's expected to hit second again, despite hitting over .300 out of the 8 hole last year and compared to .269(with an OPS 130 points lower, as well) in the 2 hole. Jack's contract is the reason that I dislike him, but, truthfully, he hasn't been so bad. His defense is good, and a repeat performance of last year would keep him in my good graces. I wouldn't expect it until he moves back down the lineup, though. 2008 Projection: 550 AB, .280 AVR, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 5 SB.

3B Jose Bautista - Bautista wasn't real great this spring, but with nobody to compete with, he may be saving it for the regular season. In his first year as a full time regular, Bautista hit .254 with 15 HR and 54 RBI splitting time between the 2 and 7 spot in the lineup. I think a breakout season may be on the horizon here, a year of .270-25 is definately possible with his skill set, because if he doesn't play well, top prospect Neil Walker may be able to grab the job in August. 2008 Projection: 575 AB, .268 AVR, 20 HR, 67 RBI, 5 SB.

LF Jason Bay - He's the franchise...at least for a little longer. Bay is coming off his worst season as a pro, as he dealt with knee trouble all year. He still hit 20 HR, but for most of the season, wasn't hisself. I think it's a bounce back year for Bay, but midseason, he could find himself hitting 7th for an AL contender, if all goes as expected. 2008 Projection: 587 AB, .282 AVR, 28 HR, 90 RBI, 6 SB.

CF Nate McLouth - McLouth won the center field job this spring by outhitting Nyjer Morgan by nearly 100 points. He's likely the leadoff hitter, and could be a 20-20 from the spot. The only way I don't expect a good season, would be if injuries derail him, and Andrew McCutcheon takes the CF spot. 2008 Projection: 570 AB, .270 AVR, 16 HR, 46 RBI, 34 SB.

RF Xavier Nady - Probably our best hitter overall last year, Xavier goes into '08 almost sure to be on another club by the end of the year, as well. Trade talks with the Mets were thrown around all spring, and despite nothing happening yet, it's definately something that may be revisited. While in Pittsburgh, X should have another good start and play pretty well all season long. 2008 Projection: 460 AB, .280 AVR, 20 HR, 75 RBI, 3 SB.

I'll get to pitchers in the next few hours, hope you enjoy.

[love_that_reefer]

Your numbers look pretty reasonable. Here's what I got:
C- Paulino: .255 with 12 HRs and 51 RBI
1B- Adam Laroche: .268 with 24 HRS and 87 RBI
2B- Freddy Sanchez: .296 with 13 HRs and 77 RBI
SS- Jack Wilson: .300 with 14 HRs and 60 RBI
3B- Jose Bautista: .248 with 15 HRs and 61 RBI
LF- Jason Bay: .280 with 27 HRs and 88 RBI
CF- Nate McLouth: .264 with 18 HRs and 65 RBI
RF- Xavier Nady: .283 with 23 HRs and 82 RBI

[Dry1313]

Your numbers look pretty reasonable. Here's what I got:
C- Paulino: .255 with 12 HRs and 51 RBI
1B- Adam Laroche: .268 with 24 HRS and 87 RBI
2B- Freddy Sanchez: .296 with 13 HRs and 77 RBI
SS- Jack Wilson: .300 with 14 HRs and 60 RBI
3B- Jose Bautista: .248 with 15 HRs and 61 RBI
LF- Jason Bay: .280 with 27 HRs and 88 RBI
CF- Nate McLouth: .264 with 18 HRs and 65 RBI
RF- Xavier Nady: .283 with 23 HRs and 82 RBI

Not even man...


C- Paulino: .270 with 8 HRs and 61 RBI
1B- Adam Laroche: .258 with 14 HRS and 79 RBI
2B- Freddy Sanchez: .324 with 4 HRs and 54 RBI
SS- Jack Wilson: .276 with 7 HRs and 60 RBI
3B- Jose Bautista: .252 with 11 HRs and 61 RBI
LF- Jason Bay: .299 with 34 HRs and 104 RBI
CF- Nate McLouth: .277 with 14 HRs and 62 RBI
RF- Xavier Nady: .292 with 27 HRs and 88 RBI

You have such high averages. Witlon has a good projection

[DirtyKash]

You have Jason Bay improving 52 points in batting average over last season?

[Dry1313]

Me?

Well, he's a filthy *****, but last year was his worse year to date...I see a rebound.

[Witlon]

I have Jason Bay returning to previous form, from when he was healthy, yes.

Edit: Oh, you were talking to Dry. My bad.

[browntown653]

Wow, reefer has the Pirates leading the league in home runs I guess.