The Pirates have had a wild season, playing one or two memorable games a week, en route to a 44-50 mark at the All-Star break. The elusive .500 mark is still within reach.
This year’s Pittsburgh team is almost the opposite of last year’s, as is it is suddenly the offense leading the way and the rotation that is dragging the team down.
There have been plenty of bright spots, as well as plenty of disappointments, but one thing is clear: This Pirates team has more of a core now than it has in a very long time.
Below, I will evaluate every player’s performance from the first half of the season.
Ryan Doumit, C
Doumit has been one of the most productive hitters, not only for the Pirates, but in the entire National League. His emergence as a consistent, middle-of-the-order presence has been critical to the Pirates’ offensive resurgence, and it is no surprise that he was recently promoted to the No. 3 spot in the batting order, given his lofty .943 OPS.
If only he had been healthy all season, the Bucs could be a few games closer to that .500 mark.
Midseason Grade: A
Raul Chavez, C
Chavez was promoted from AAA after Doumit’s first injury, and has since remained with the club due to his defense and his game-calling abilities. He even gets a hit once in a while.
Midseason Grade: B
Ronny Paulino, C
This was, in many ways, a make-or-break season for Paulino, who entered the year competing with Doumit for the starting catcher job. His bat never got hot, questions about his work ethic once again surfaced, and he was demoted a few months ago.
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