Results tagged ‘ anthony rendon ’
Bucco news and notes: 1/27
- The Pirates scouts were looking at Anthony Rendon on Thursday according to @FSH_Owls, who covers Rice University Athletics.
“A Pirates scouting director is scheduled to observe Jr. 3B Anthony Rendon take BP shortly. Pittsburg has the first pick in the 2011 draft.”
- Day four of the Pirates caravan wrapped on Thursday, which means Piratefest kicks off on Friday night (season ticket holders ) and continues Saturday (10-8) and Sunday (12-5). If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, go here to purchase them. And be sure to say hello, I’ll be around all weekend.
- As the clock ticks closer to spring training (19 days until pitchers and catchers report), the closers role is yet to be announced. Will it be Joel Hanrahan or Evan Meek?
“I think every reliever wants to be a closer,” said Hanrahan. “I kind of got thrown into the closer’s role in Washington, and I didn’t have the greatest success. But I enjoyed it, and it’s something that I want to get back to.”
I’ve kind of taken the [relief] role and embraced it, which is what you have to do,” Hanrahan said. “I enjoy the role that I’m in. It’s kind of fun coming to the ballpark every day knowing that you have a chance to make an impact on the game.”
But Meek has the talent to close ball games out as well.
“He’s got a great arm, and he’s got that natural cut,” Hanrahan said of Meek. “He cuts the ball a little better than I do. I think we [have] different [pitching] styles. He tries to get [batters to hit] the ground ball, and I try to get the strikeout most of the time.”
Whoever they decide upon, the fact is, the Pirates have a pretty nasty eight and ninth inning covered.
“We have two of the most exciting young relievers in baseball in Joel Hanrahan and Evan Meek,” said Pirates president Frank Coonelly.
“Both had awesome years last year, and we’re going to be looking for them to carry a lot of the load this year,” Jones said. “When those guys came into a game last year, it was pretty much lights out [for the opposition].”
Rendon cleared for baseball activities
Anthony Rendon, the Pirates potential Number one pick in the 2011 draft, has received complete clearance for all baseball activities.
Rendon has spent the past five months rehabbing an ankle injury (he suffered a fracture-dislocation on July 14).
Doctors told Rendon recently that he is OK to put on cleats and run the bases.
“I think I’m actually right on schedule, or maybe a few weeks ahead or a month,” Rendon said. “The doctor said he was very impressed with my work on my rehab. I’m ready to go.”
The third-baseman hit 394 with 26 home runs and 85 RBIs last season for Rice University. He has been compared to players such as Evan Longoria and Ryan Zimmerman.
The Pirates 105-loss season means they have the first overall pick for the 2011 draft (the first time since picking Bryan Bullington first overall in 2002). If Rendon was chosen, Pedro Alvarez would be moved to first base, giving the Bucs a lot of power from the corner infield positions.
11 things to look forward to in ’11
With a start of a new year, it’s a clean slate for the Bucs, who endured 105 losses. The new season is right around the corner: Only 41 days until Pitchers and catchers report and 88 until opening day.
Here is a list of 11 things to look forward to in 2011:
11) Interleague series against the Boston Red Sox at PNC Park – Some of the die hard Pirates fans may not like the idea of facing the potent lineup of the Red Sox, but baseball fans in general will enjoy seeing the All-star lineups. Stars like Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Jon Lester and Josh Beckett (the list goes on and on) will be in Pittsburgh –a glimpse of a possible 2011 playoff contender.
10) The new offseason acquisitions and how they impact the ball club – The Pirates made several signings this offseason in hopes to improve the team in 2011. Lyle Overbay will be the new everyday first baseman and Matt Diaz will platoon in right field with Garrett Jones.
Other signings include: Third baseman Andy Marte, short stop Josh Rodriguez, center fielder Corey Wimberly, left handers Scott Olsen, Kevin Correia and Aaron Thompson.
9) A better pitching rotation – The Pirates starters went 34-84 with a 5.28 ERA last season. The Bucs are hoping Ross Ohlendorf, and Paul Maholm will perform much better in 2011. New Pirate Kevin Correia also helps to improve the staff and James McDonald, who had great success since being acquired by the Dodgers, will round out the top four. Scott Olsen, Charlie Morton and Brad Lincoln will be fighting for the fifth spot.
8) Number one draft pick- The Pirates lost 105 games last season, sealing the first pick in the 2011 draft. Third baseman Anthony Rendon is considered to the be the top talent. He finished 2010 at Rice University batting .394 with 26 home runs and 85 runs batted in.
7) Young prospects making their way through the system – Players like Tony Sanchez, Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer and Andrew Lambo (to name a few) are getting closer to making their major league debuts while adding more young talent to the Pirates ball club.
6) Glimpes of solid arms in late 2011 – Rudy Owens, Justin Wilson and Daniel Moskos (reliever) could make their debuts as early as July. Bryan Morris and Jeff Locke are also two more starters that will make a impact on the Pirates rotation but it’s more likely to be in 2012.
5) Debuts of young aces- Jameson Tallion and Stetson Allie will be making their Pirates debut at Low-A West Virginia in 2011.
Tallion was selected second overall by the Bucs in the 2010 draft. The 6’7, 230 pound right hander’s fastball already reaches 94-99 on the gun and has “explosive movement” according to scouts. Tallion also has a plus curve (81-85) and breaking ball (84-88).
Allie has an even stronger arm. The 6’4, 225 pound right-hander throws both a two-seamer and four-seamer fastball that clocks regularly at 98. He also has an above average slider (87-91) and a change, with very good sink at 85-87.
4) Clint Hurdle managing the Bucs – Hurdle is exactly what the young Pirates need in a new skipper. He is very charismatic and passionate about baseball, smart, motivational and has past success in managing a young team. Hurdle is aware of the changes ahead and has said, “I’m all in.”
3) Ending the 18 year consecutive losing streak? -While it may be a long shot –the Pirates would need to have a 24 game improvement to finish .500– it still is possible. Example: The 2007 Tampa Bay Rays went 66-96, in 2008 they finished 97-65 –a 31 game improvement as well as a American League Championship title. The1991 Braves went 94-68 after finishing 65-97 in 1990. Tough, but not impossible.
2) The young Bucs continue to improve – Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata and Neil Walker (all under 25) will continue to get better and better with more major league experience. Tabata and Walker finished their rookie seasons better than expected. Tabata had 121 hits in 102 games, Walker with 126 in 110 games. Both hit most of the season over .300 and finished .299 and .296 respectively. McCutchen in his first full major league season continued to be a hitting and running machine. He finished .286 while adding 94 runs, 16 home runs, 56 RBIs and 33 stolen bases.
1) Pedro Alvarez to become a superstar- Pedro finished his rookie campaign with a .256 average, 16 home runs and 64 RBI’s. If Alvarez’s month of September is a glimpse of what’s to come (.306 avg, 10 doubles, six home runs and 27 RBI in 29 games) Pirates fans should be excited for years to come. He has an ability to change the game with one swing –the three-run walk-off bomb against the Rockies made highlights and one of MLB Network’s top moments of the season. There’s no doubt he is a superstar in the making.
Alvarez ensuring he can remain at third base
During the last few offseasons, Pedro Alvarez’s conditioning regimen has been a hot topic. So it’s no surprise this offseason would be any different.
Prior to the start of the 2010 season, Alvarez spent 12 weeks living at the Arizona Athletes’ Performance Institute where he engaged in strength, conditioning and weightlifting programs. He also learned about nutrition and followed a strict dietary routine.
Alvarez showed up to Spring Training much fitter and decreased his body fat ratio.
During this offseason, he will not return to API (Athletes’ Performance Institute). But are the Pirates closely monitoring his conditioning?
“He knows what he needs to accomplish this offseason, and we’re going to be in close contact with him — probably much more than he would like,” general manager Neal Huntington said. “But that’s the nature of where we are right now.”
It’s not a question of can he remain at third base, it’s more of how long will he physically be able to play in the hot corner. Alvarez may outgrow the position and so far, nothing has been set in stone and he will remain on a year-to-year basis at third base.
“Defensively, we’ve seen a lot of the issues that we saw [in the Minors],” Huntington said. “He’s very capable of making a great play. He’s got the arm strength. He’s got the hands. He’s got the ability to play third base.
“It’s a matter of the consistent pitch-to-pitch focus and ultimately physical. Does he put himself in position to be able to play the game defensively every single day? And what is the appropriate body composition for him to be able to stay at third base?”
Alvarez committed 17 errors in 276 chances during the 2010 season with the Pirates. The results have been mixed and a move to first would make the most sense (Especially if the Pirates sign third basemen Anthony Rendon in the 2011 draft). However, Alvarez is expected to put in the time and work this offseason to ensure he can remain at third base in the future.
Pirates clinch No. 1 draft pick in 2011
The Seattle Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 3-1 Tuesday evening, to clinch the Pirates will have the Number one overall draft pick in 2011.
This marks the first time the Pirates have had the first overall draft pick since 2002.
The top talent in the draft is third baseman Anthony Rendon from Rice University.
“Really, we look forward to the day we start picking 28th and 30th,” general manager Neal Huntington said. “We’ve had two No. 2s already and, in our minds, it’s no different except that we’re able to pick out the guy we want a little earlier than usual. We’ve got to get the right pick, whether it’s that round or the 32nd round.”
“I’ll be able to give a lot more information about who we take No. 1 in the country after we take him,” he said. “There’s a good list of guys available, some college arms, and there could be some college bats. Prior to the injury, Rendon’s a very interesting player. We’ve got to see where he is post-injury.”
The injury Huntington is referring to is an ankle injury that required surgery on July 14th. He is expected to recover fully but the Pirates will continue to monitor him.
If drafted, Pedro Alvarez is expected to move to first base and Rendon will be the new third baseman.
Get your Jersey’s soon. If the Pirates select him, he will sure be a stud in a great lineup.
Kristy Robinson
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