The equipment truck pulled out of PNC Park yesterday, hauling the Pittsburgh Pirates’ tools of the trade to Bradenton, Florida for the start of spring training next week.
After initial reports that Monday would be reporting day for pitchers and catchers, MLB released a revised schedule yesterday that has pitchers and catchers reporting a week from today and the full squad on Monday, the 22nd.
Spring training games are set to start Saturday, February 27th. The Pirates will open on the road against the Red Sox and then play at Bradenton the next day against the Braves. The regular-season begins April 1st with the Bucs scheduled to play the Cubs at Wrigley Field in the first of a three-game set.
The Baseball Prospectus PECOTA standings for the Pirates projects only 61 wins, which would be last in the majors, a game behind the Colorado Rockies.
The rankings are not flattering for individual players, with the Pirates’ two top hitters rookie third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and outfielder Bryan Reynolds, hitting only .254 and .251 respectively. Adam Frazier, who is a top trade candidate, is projected to hit .265.
Comments