Pittsburgh Pirates: Why the Team May Not Have to Upgrade the Offense

Until recently, the clamoring for a power bat to be brought in could be heard from rooftops across town.

After scoring at a pace the city hasn't seen in what seems like centuries, a few players are proving why this team may already have all the offense it needs.

From impressive home run totals to climbing batting averages and OBP's, these Bucs are doing something that has not been seen since the 70s. As a result, the need for a trade to improve the lineup is proving to be less and less of a pressing matter.

Neil Walker

A seemingly forgotten, yet integral part of the lineup, Neil Walker has been steadily improving his numbers each month in the season.

After starting off fairly cold, Walker has rebounded, staying in line with his career marks.

He's batting .276 with a .343 on-base percentage—both within four points of his career averages—and he is on pace to both score and drive in over 70 runs, as well as swipe 14 bases.

Whether it be from the second or fifth spot in the lineup, the Bucs can count on their second baseman to be a critical run producer.

Garrett Jones/Casey McGehee

Take a look at Jones' and McGehee's projected combined numbers according to ESPN.com:

AB    R    H    2B  3B    HR  RBI    BB  SO   SB   AVR   OBP   SLG   OPS

784 102 206  48    4     34   124    59   180    6    .263   .314    .464   .778

What was intended to be the first-base platoon at the beginning of the season, McGehee and Jones have both done far more than has been asked of them.

With both receiving slightly more playing time then first anticipated, the duo is on pace to produce 226 runs. This is quite a large sum to combine with the numbers both Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez, as well as Walker, are providing.

Rod Barajas/Michael McKenry

Now take a look at a surprisingly high output from the Pirates catchers, per their combined projections from ESPN.com

AB    R    H    2B  3B   HR  RBI BB  SO   SB   AVR   OBP   SLG   OPS

542  54  122  26    0    26    70  50   140   0    .225   .290    .417   .707

With the catching tandem of Barajas and McKenry projecting out to provide 124 runs, as well as 26 homers, this would be more than any Pirates catcher has had in a season in their entire existence.

With an OPS over .700, the tandem has been valuable plugging up the 7 hole in the lineup, while providing good power.

Andrew McCutchen/Pedro Alvarez

The two biggest catalysts on the team this season have been McCutchen and Alvarez. According to ESPN's projections, both project out to provide monster numbers.

Alvarez:

AB    R    H    2B  3B   HR  RBI BB  SO   SB   AVR   OBP   SLG   OPS

482  69  118  28    0     30   95   53  166    0    .234   .309    .475   .785

McCutchen:

AB    R    H    2B  3B   HR  RBI BB  SO   SB   AVR   OBP   SLG   OPS

583 105 207  34    8    32   107 55  122   28   .356    .410   .603   1.014

This two-headed monster could become the first Pirates duo to hit 30 home runs a piece since Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla did in 1990.

McCutchen is emerging as the lead NL MVP candidate with the Pirates emergence onto the national scene, and Alvarez is finally silencing his doubters by hitting the ball all over the field.

Look for Alvarez's average to climb into the .250-.260 range by season's end and for McCutchen to possibly approach 40 home runs—let alone the 32 he's on pace for—just as he managed to his zero during the month of April.

Starling Marte

The Pirates have a weapon tearing it up in Triple-A.

Starling Marte has done everything the Pirates have asked of him this year. His power has improved, he has raised his on-base percentage, and he has been consistently hovering around the .290 mark all season long.

Marte will receive his promotion soon after the All-Star break and take over a corner outfield spot.

If he hits near his minor league numbers, the Pirates will have yet another weapon to add to what's daily becoming a more and more dangerous lineup.