Which Pittsburgh Pirates Are Under Pressure The Next Two Weeks?
Believe it or not there are just 12 games remaining in the 2016 Major League Baseball season. So, which Pittsburgh Pirates are under the most pressure in these 12 games?
From the start of a Major League Baseball season until the end pressure is on every player in the Big Leagues. Players are under pressure to perform not only to help their teams win but also to keep their spots in the Majors.
Even in the final two weeks of the season the pressure is still there. For some players it is because your team is competing for postseason spot. While for others it is because they are trying to impress their manager, coaches, front office, etc. for next season.
For the 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates, it is a bit of both. The Pirates are currently four and a half games out of the final National League postseason spot. So, odds are, the Pirates will not be competing in the postseason for a fourth consecutive season. However, they are not mathematically eliminated yet.
While doing their best to still compete for a postseason spot, the Pittsburgh Pirates are also starting to prepare for the 2017 season. This puts different pressures on different players for varying reasons. However, there are three players in particular that I believe are under pressure in these final 12 games.
Sep 17, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Tony Watson (44) is congratulated by Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Eric Fryer (24) after the Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-3 at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Closer Tony Watson
On July 30th the Pittsburgh Pirates traded closer Mark Melancon to the Washington Nationals. Due to this, left-handed reliever Tony Watson became the Pirates’ new closer. However, he has produced inconsistent results as the Pirate closer.
Since taking over as Pirates’ closer Watson has pitched 20 2/3 innings. In these 20 2/3 innings pitched he has allowed 19 hits, six home runs, he has walked five batters, he has a 1.16 WHIP, and he has struck out 16 batters. This has led to Watson posting a 4.35 ERA and a 4.55 FIP as closer.
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The biggest issue for Watson as closer is that he has been allowing far too many home runs. Prior to the 2016 season the most home runs Watson had allowed in a single season was six. And this came in his rookie campaign in 2011. So allowing home runs is something that in the past had never plagued Tony Watson.
Why is there pressure on Tony Watson?
Well, that is because there is no guarantee that he will be with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017. Watson will be a free agent after the 2017 season so it would behoove Neal Huntington to shop him this offseason.
Not only is he a free agent to be, but the 2017 Pirates do not necessarily need Tony Watson. With relievers such as A.J. Schugel, Antonio Bastardo, Felipe Rivero, and Juan Nicasio under contract for 2017, the Pirate bullpen should be very strong in 2017 with or without Tony Watson. If Tony Watson wants to make sure he is part of the 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates, he better finish the season strong.
Jun 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Adam Frazier (26) hits an RBI single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Utility man Adam Frazier
Adam Frazier made his Major League debut on June 24th. Since debuting in the Majors Adam Frazier has done nothing but hit and get on base. But has he hit his way into an everyday role for 2017?
Well, Frazier is currently getting the opportunity to prove that he has. With both Starling Marte and Josh Harrison out for the season with injuries Frazier has become an everyday player in September. And he has continued to just hit and get on base.
Why is there pressure on Adam Frazier?
In 124 plate appearances this season Frazier owns a .351/.403/.491/.894 slash line, .386 wOBA, 145 wRC+, 7.3 percent walk rate, 15.3 percent strikeout rate, and a 1.4 WAR. Frazier has also proven to be a great table setter and spark plug when batting lead off for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Due to this, the Bucs have to be debating if Frazier should see more playing time in 2017.
Also factoring in here is the struggles of Josh Harrison in 2016. He will finish the season with a .283/.311/.388/.699 slash line, .300 wOBA, 88 wRC+, 3.4 percent walk rate, and a 14.6 percent strikeout rate. Without a doubt Adam Frazier has been the better hitter in 2016. However, Harrison has been the better defender at second base. So the Pirates must ask themselves which one they value more moving forward.
Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) pitches during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Starting pitcher Ivan Nova
On August 1st the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Ivan Nova from the New York Yankees. While with the Yankees, Nova was terrible. However, since coming to Pittsburgh he has been the Pirates’ best starting pitcher.
In nine starts as a Pirate Ivan Nova has pitched 55 1/3 innings and this includes a pair of complete games. In these 55 1/3 innings he has allowed 56 hits, four home runs, he has walked just three batters, and he has struck out 45 batters. This has led to Nova posting a 2.93 ERA, 2.67 FIP, and a 3.09 xFIP with the Pirates.
Why is there pressure on Ivan Nova?
Ivan Nova will most likely make two more starts for the Pirates this season. These will be Nova’s last two starts to impress teams across Major League Baseball before he hits free agency this offseason.
The starting pitching class in thus offseason’s free agent class is, to put it kindly, horrendous. Due to what he has done the past two months Ivan Nova is going to get absolutely paid this offseason. The better he pitches in the next two weeks, the more money he will make this offseason.
Sep 16, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle (left) talks with outfielder Matt Joyce (right) during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
As I said on the opening slide, every Major League Baseball player facing pressure from the start of the season until the end. However, some Pirate players are facing more pressure than others are in the 2016 season’s final two weeks. In my opinion Tony Watson, Adam Frazier, and Ivan Nova are facing more pressure than any other members of the Pirates.
Tony Watson’s job as closer might be on the line. In fact, his spot on the 2017 Pirates’ roster could be decided in the next 12 games. This puts pressure on Watson.
Adam Frazier could be hitting his way into being an everyday player in 2017. Frazier keeps hitting and getting on base. However, he is blocked at second base by Josh Harrison. But the pressure is on Frazier the next 12 games to prove that he can start over Harrison in 2017.
Finally, there is Ivan Nova. Nova will hit free agency this offseason and will get paid nicely. The better he pitches the next two weeks the better he will be paid. Therefore, there is pressure on Ivan Nova.
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