Three Young Bucs Fighting for Center Field Job

February 22, 2008 @ 21:46:15

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Richard Garcia

In a surprising development for the Pittsburgh Pirates this year, they will actually have a surplus of quality players competing for time in center field. The team will report to camp with three competitors for the job: outfielders Nyjer Morgan, Nate McLouth and Andrew McCutchen. Each player brings something different to the table for the Pirates, which should make for an interesting battle for the job.

Morgan

Morgan enters camp with the most immediate potential of any of the players competing. He was a callup last season and posted solid numbers during his short 28-game stint with the team. In that stretch, he hit .299 with one home run, seven RBIs and most importantly, 15 runs and seven stolen bases. The last number signals where he could be most valuable to the team, as a speedy leadoff hitter that can reach base and make pitchers feel uncomfortable. He is also regarded as a better fielder than McLouth and scouts say he covers more ground in center.

The question regarding Morgan is whether or not he can put up those numbers over the course of a full season. He has posted a steady average at each level of minor league ball, including a .305 average with Triple-A Indianapolis prior to being called up last season. He is not the favorite for the job, but should be considered even with McLouth as the team heads into spring training.

McLouth

If Morgan is the young up-and-comer for the Pirates, then McLouth could be considered the veteran at the position. McLouth played in 137 games for the Pirates last year, the most of his three-year career. However, he hit just .258 with 13 home runs, 38 RBIs, 62 runs and 22 stolen bases. He also provided the team with solid defense and is generally viewed as the best all-around option the team has. This could give him a leg-up in spring, especially if Morgan struggles early on.

One drawback regarding McLouth is the team does not know which version of him will show up. In June and July last year, he hit just .205 and .232 respectively, before bumping his average up by hitting at a .315 clip in September. If he can repeat his late-season success, then McLouth will likely find himself starting in center on Opening Day.

McCutchen

The third option the Pirates have in center field is McCutchen, their top prospect. He has the potential to be an All-Star but struggled at Double-A Altoona last year, hitting just .258 with 10 home runs and 17 stolen bases. He struck out 94 times last year in his combined 135 starts in the minors, which is something he’ll have to cut down on if he wants to make an impact in the majors.

His potential is undeniable, and he is someone the Pirates view as their future at the position. With his speed and power, he could hit 20-plus home runs and steal 30-plus bases in the majors in the future. His biggest drawback is the lack of experience and the crowded situation at this position. With options back in Triple-A, it is likely the team will send him there to receive some more seasoning at the beginning of the year. He is more likely to make an impact this year as a late-season callup.

Summary

The fantasy value of these players will obviously change once the situation plays out, but early indications are that Morgan would be the favorite due to his speed. He should be seen as a late-round pick in most leagues, but he does not have a lot of potential. If you are feeling a bit risky, taking McLouth with a late-round pick could be an option, considering his potential for moderate numbers in power and average. At this point, McCutchen has no value but is someone to keep an eye on during the season and entering 2009.

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Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

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