Walking the Plank: Mid-Season Report Card

The Buccos just passed the halfway point in the season and what a roller coaster of a season it has been for the Pirates. From what seems like half the team being injured, to breakout rookies, this season has had it all. The Pirates have gone on some great winning streaks, and some equally as bad losing streaks, which leaves them right where they are currently, hovering around .500. Let's take a look at the team so far this season in our mid-season report card!

Starting Pitching: C+

Exceeded Expectations: Jordan Lyles, Steven Brault, Joe Musgrove

Meeting Expectations: Trevor Williams, Dario Agrazal

Disappointment: Jameson Taillon, Mitch Keller

Complete Embarrassment: Chris Archer

This group started out the season at a record pace, but injuries quickly derailed them to become a liability for the team. The Buccos struggled to get consistent starts night in and night out for most of May, but getting healthy has led to the starters steadily improving over June. 

Bullpen: C+

Exceeded Expectations: Francisco Liriano

Meeting Expectations: Felipe Vazquez, Kyle Crick, Chris Stratton, Alex McRae, Rookie Davis

Starting to Meet Expectations: Richard Rodriquez

Disappointment: Michael Feliz, Keona Kela, Clay Holmes, Geoff Hartlieb, Montana DuRapau

Complete Embarrassment: Dovydas Neverauskas

This group is very good at the back end of the bullpen, but extremely weak with middle relievers. Rich Rod has gotten it together to help bolster this group, so there is hope they will have a better grade at seasons end. 

Infield: A-

Exceeded Expectations: Josh Bell, Colin Moran, Kevin Newman

Meeting Expectations: Cole Tucker, Elias Diaz, Jacob Stallings

Disappointment: Adam Frazier, Jung Ho Kang, Erik Gonzalez, Francisco Cervelli

This group has been the pleasant surprise of the season. Moran, Newman, and Bell have all exceeded expectations and solidified themselves as everyday starters, but Adam Frazier has not played up to his recent years potential. Cervelli has been a big disappointment and Diaz has been steady at catcher.

Outfield: B+

Exceeded Expectations: Bryan ROYnolds, Melky Cabrera

Meeting Expectations: Starling Marte, Corey Dickerson, Jason Martin

Disappointment: Gregory Polanco

The outfield is the deepest group on this club and an everyday OF of Marte, ROYnolds, and Dickerson is a great group with Polanco and Melky off the bench (or one of them traded for pitching help?). 

Coaching: B

I am not a fan of Clint Hurdle and think he has made many mistakes this year, but he was dealt a tough hand when half the starting pitching was out with injuries and the front office did nothing to address it. My biggest complaint with coaching has been Ray Searage and what seems an inability to successfully transition pitchers from AAA to the Majors. 

Front Office: D

The lack of moves when half of the starting pitching was injured along with Burdi and Kela was embarrassing and something I cannot forgive the front office for. IMAGINE where this team could be if they made just one move for a pitcher and won maybe two or three more games during that tough stretch in May? The front office did well signing Liriano and with the Cutch trade for ROYnolds and Crick, but let's not get started with the Archer trade... 

Bucco ESPY Awards

Team MVP: Josh Bell (Surprise!)

Rooking of the Year: Bryan ROYnolds (with Newman not far behind)

Comeback Player of the Year: Francisco Liriano

Saddest Story of the Year: Nick Burdi. He was excelling coming back from Tommy John surgery before being injured again and out for the season. 

Best Game: Double Comeback win vs. Padres

Best Moment: Josh Bell's 3 HRs vs. Cubs after being selected an All Star

Biggest All-Star Snub in the LEAGUE: Felipe Vazquez!!!

Biggest Disappointment: Chris Archer (Surprise)

Biggest Surprise: ROYnolds and Newman's breakout seasons

Best Smile: Colin Moran

mlb.com

Most in Danger of Losing their Job: The entire Pirates medical and training staff.

Would you change any of the grades or awards given? Let us know and thanks for reading!

-Aaron, TGYK, Let's Go Bucs!