Spring Preview: Jones May Be Right Choice, but Tabata Isn't Far Away
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This is the first in a 10-part series that will break down the storylines at each position in advance of spring training. At the plate today: right field.
What happened last year: In the absence of a more established alternative, Brandon Moss made twice as many starts (76) as any other player on the roster. Moss finished with a .236 batting average, seven home runs and 41 RBI in 385 at-bats, but he regressed in the final four months, when he had a .203 batting average and more strikeouts (45) than hits (38).
Career minor leaguer Garrett Jones (.293, 21, 44) arrived in July and promptly hit 10 homers in his first 76 at-bats. A first baseman by trade, he spent much time in the outfield in order for Steve Pearce to get a closer look. Despite limited experience, Jones fared well enough in his 38 starts in right field to remain in the mix there.
Eric Hinske (.255, 1, 11) and Craig Monroe (.215, 3, 16) also spent time at the position. In June, Monroe was released and Hinske was traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for a pair of minor leaguers.
In the hunt this year: Jones, Moss, Ryan Church, Jose Tabata and Delwyn Young.
After two seasons with the New York Mets, Church (.280, 2, 22) signed a one-year deal as a free agent. A career .316 hitter at PNC Park, he provides experienced depth the position, something the team lacked in recent years. The 31-year-old veteran also could be dangled as trade bait before the deadline.
Widely considered to be the No. 2 prospect in the organization, Tabata is a four-tool player whose line-drive bat may be ideal for PNC Park and its wide, open spaces. While the 21-year-old can play any of the three outfield spots, his above-average arm and good-but-not-great speed appear to be best suited for right field there.
Tabata produced a .293 batting average, five home runs, 35 RBI and 11 stolen bases last season, which he split between Class AA Altoona and Class AAA Indianapolis. The Venezuela product was even more impressive in the Arizona Fall League. In 28 games, he hit .392 and had a league-high 47 hits.
Last season Young (.266, 7, 43) started 26 games in right field, where he displayed above-average range and a below-average arm. The switch hitter could spell Jones or Church against certain left-handers, although his career splits (.241 versus lefties, .278 versus righties) might work against him.
At 26, Moss will have to perform above and beyond to claim a roster spot this time around.
The leader in the clubhouse: Jones. As the most dangerous power hitter on the roster -- his home run rate of one per 15.0 at-bats led the team by a considerable margin last season -- the 28-year-old veteran has to be in the line-up somewhere.
At minicamp last month, manager John Russell was encouraged by what he saw of converted catcher Jeff Clements at first base, an early indication that Jones might fit best here. For what it's worth, last season Jones was far more lethal in right field, where he averaged one homer per 13.9 at-bats compared to one per 26.3 at first base.
Player to watch: Tabata. There's no good reason to push the kid, so even if Tabata tears up the Grapefruit League, he's a long shot to head north with the parent club. Still, it's the kind of decision that Russell and general manager Neal Huntington would be thrilled to make.
The big picture: Tabata appears to be the future here, and it may arrive as early as June, in which case Pirates fans will have something to look forward to in the dog days of summer.
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jimsul
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02-03-10 1:29 PM
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Paul, Your report states that "at minicamp last month, manager John Russell was encouraged by what he saw of converted catcher Jeff Clements at first base ---". That comment is inaccurate. Manager John Russell was only encouragerd by Jeff Clements' attitude, certainly not his glove work at first base. If you would like to build some credibility among the Pirate fans, it would be helpful if you were more accurate. Good Luck! Jim Sullivan (I was there at Minicamp).
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