Putting A Wrap on the 2020 Pirates

At lunch after golf last Friday, my buddy Dan asked me "Can you list something, anything, positive about the Pirates this year?"  Now this is a team that finished 19-41, a pace that would produce a 51-111 record in a full season, so let's just leave it at that, and concentrate on what Dan asked me.  So, what did I like about the 2020 Pirates?

1. First and foremost, the debut and performance of third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, pictured above.   Called up in mid-season, Hayes played in 24 games, and in 85 At Bats he hit .376 had 5 HR, 11 RBI, and had an OPS of 1.124.  He also played third base like a guy who will be adding multiple Gold Gloves to his trophy case in the years to come.  He seems to be the best Pirates prospect since Andrew McCutchen, and he will be a great joy to watch in the five or  six years he'll be in Pittsburgh before he will no longer be affordable for the Suits in the front office.
2. The emergence of Jacob Stallings as a gold glove caliber catcher, and a fair hitter (.248, 3 HR, 18 RBI, .702 OPS).  He appears to be excellent at handling pitchers and a popular and respected clubhouse leader.  
3. Mitch Keller, when he wasn't injured, seemed to emerge as the top pitcher he was touted to be over his last couple of starts, including throwing 11 consecutive no-hit innings in his last two starts.  That doesn't make him Johnny Vander Meer, but it does offer something hopeful.
4. The Pirates willingness to try Cole Tucker in the outfield.  He appears to be blocked in the infield, and trying him in the OF shows that the team is not willing to give up on a former #1 Draft Choice.  It's not like playing him there cost them anything in 2020, right?  He seemed to get better in the outfield as the season went along, but it's up it's him to prove that he can hit in the major leagues.
5. Several strong performances by Steven Brault.  I have spoken before of why I personally root for Brault, so I was very happy to see this for him.
6. Derek Shelton. He is a likable guy and a guy that, of course, we all want to see succeed.  He began his managerial career in a nightmare of a season like none ever before, and with the worst team in baseball.  He managed to get through it without slitting his wrists and jumping off of the Clemente Bridge, so good for him.  Insofar as his performance as a manager, it is far, far too early to offer any kind of judgement on that.
7. The attitude of the team.  The players all seemed to maintain a positive outlook throughout the season.  This was a breath of fresh air in contrast to the turmoil and sourness that was a hallmark of the team in the last half of the 2019 season.
8. The goofy stuff that the bullpen would do whenever a Pirate hit a home run.  This is the kind of organic stuff that can spring up in a team and make them easy to root for.  And it is something that cannot be manufactured.  I hope that the Pirates PR Machine doesn't try to do so.
9. They're getting the Overall Number One pick in the entry draft, presumably wunderkind pitcher Kumar Rocker.  Let's hope they don't screw it up.  (Can you say "Brian Bullington"?)
10. The fact that the Pirates and MLB were able to pull off any kind of season at all in this Pandemic Year.   Back in April, May, and even into June, I didn't think it was going to happen.

Okay, that's it.  There will be plenty of time to hash out the other not-so-positive aspects of the '20 squad, so we'll just leave it on a happy note.

And the sixteen team MLB Playoffs begin today.  In the great tradition of The Grandstander, let me predict that the Atlanta Braves will defeat the New York Yankees in the World Series this year.  A part of me, however, would perversely love to see the 29-31 Brewers take on the 29-31 Astros in the World Series, mainly because it will drive the Baseball Purists and Traditionalists positively batshit crazy!

Enjoy the post-season, and see you in Spring Training.

Oh, and one more image to give you some hope for the future....