In order to have a successful offensive team, you can’t just have a couple players who have breakout seasons each year—you need guys who are capable of maintaining that success level. Bay has shown this ability, and has once again become the focal point of this Pittsburgh lineup.
His early-season, clutch-hitting problems are a thing of the past, as well: Bay has come up with countless crucial hits (many of the walk-off variety) in recent weeks.
Midseason Grade: A
Nate McLouth, CF
Back in late March, the Pirates’ players predicted McLouth would be the team’s breakout performer. But there’s no way they could have predicted this.
McLouth is on pace for a 35+ HR, 100+ RBI season, all while playing a superb center field (as was on display in Tuesday’s All-Star game, where McLouth threw a strike to home plate to nail Dioner Navarro in the bottom of the 11th and extend the game). He certainly has arrived, and should be a cornerstone of this team for a long time, along with Ryan Doumit.
Midseason Grade: A+
Xavier Nady, RF
The third piece in Major League Baseball’s best outfield so far this year, Nady has excelled as well. His run production has begun to tail off slightly, and nagging injuries are a concern, but one can’t complain too much about a .321 batting average and 56 RBI.
Midseason Grade: A-
Jason Michaels, OF
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