Sunday, August 9, 2009

Pirate's Alderson, and Orioles' Matusz go toe to toe in 2013 World Series Game 7

I recently got my hands on a copy of the "Grays Sports Almanac" and what I am about to share with you is something completely top secret. Top secret to the point that most teams will be wishing that they hadn't traded away their top prospects to the worst team in baseball at that time.

In the last decade both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles have been two of the worst franchises in professional baseball. However, both of these teams recently have been making a commitment to building through the draft, and solidifying their farm systems from the ground up. With Pirates prospects such as Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata, and Orioles prospects such as should be Pirate, Matt Wieters and pitcher Brian Matusz show that the future of both clubs look bright. Could a seven game series be in the cards in a few years between the two teams? Maybe.

Folks, while reading through the outcomes of future sporting events I nearly lost my lunch out of disbelief. What I was reading seemed so surreal, that it was like someone was reading me a bedtime story from my childhood days. In plain words, it was almost like a fairy tale. I read that in 2013, the Pirates and Orioles will play each other for the right to be declared, World Series Champions. But it wasn't just any World Series. 2013 featured two young teams, playing on the biggest stage. Two teams who were a laughing stock for so long, finally had their teams who they assembled by great drafting and smart trades out on the field. Both squads filled with young guns excelled in the spotlight with great defense, clutch hitting, and overpowering pitching. It amazingly turned out to be one of the greatest World Series ever. I will now turn it over to the "Grays Sports Almanac" and let them tell you the rest of the story.
We skip ahead to the top of the 9th inning in game 7 of the 2013 World Series, at the beautiful PNC Park. The score is deadlocked at 0-0. The Pirates right hander, Tim Alderson has struck out 13, allowed just 2 hits, and did not issue a free pass in his 8 innings of work. His counterpart, southpaw Brian Matusz has nearly matched him out for out in this game 7. In Matusz's 8 innings he has also thrown up 8 zeros on the scoreboard, along with 14 strikeouts, and two walks.

Pirates skipper, John Russell has now decided to put the game in his bullpen's hands. With one on and two outs, Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters smacked a Daniel McCutchen fastball over the left-centerfield wall for a 2-0 lead. McCutchen got out of the inning and it was now up to the Pirates to finally score some runs to keep their season alive.
Above: Matt Wieters smacks
a two run homer in game 7
that looked to be the spark
for the Orioles to be crowned
champions.

The Pirates had the top of the order due up to start the 9th. Baltimore closer Troy Patton comes in looking for the biggest three outs of his life. The cold, October night along with a hostile crowd at PNC Park did not give Patton a friendly welcome. Andrew McCutchen drew a walk with a clutch, ten pitch at-bat. Immediately speed was on the basepaths. On the very next pitch McCutchen easily stole second base, and just like that the Buccos had a runner in scoring position.

Below: CF Andrew McCutchen wastes
no time by getting into scoring position
with nobody out.

With a runner on second base and nobody out it was now time for RF Starling Marte to step up. Marte delivered an 0-2 pitch into the gap in right center for a double to cut the Orioles lead in half. Now striding to the plate was the man who no pitcher wanted to see with the game on the line this year. Third baseman, Pedro Alvarez. Alvarez who was awarded the triple crown in the 2013 regular stood in to face Patton. With a 2-0 count, Patton left a fastball over the middle of the plate. Pedro Alvarez did not miss it. With one swing of the bat, Pedro Alvarez took a 93 mph, Troy Patton fastball into the Allegheny River. The Pirates were World Series Champions.

Above: 3B Pedro Alvarez
delivers with the game on the
line, smacking a two run walk-
off home run to win the World
Series.

2013 World Series Leftovers: Pirates Tim Alderson was named World Series MVP, posting a 2-0 record, 24 strikouts, 1 walk, and a 0.86 ERA. Pedro Alvarez and Matt Wieters both tied for the playoff lead in home runs with 7. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen had five stolen bases in the World Series. The Pirates defense only committed one error throughout the playoffs. OF Starling Marte led all players in doubles throughout the playoffs with 5.

There you have it! Wow, sorry if I spoiled what will be the Pirates first winning season since 92, but I felt it was something all of the fellow Pittsburghers needed to hear. Ok so realistically speaking now, the Pirates aren't far away. As a matter of fact, neither are the Baltimore Orioles. That organization is doing just what Pittsburgh is doing. Seeing some of the talent both franchise are bringing in doesn't make it farfetched to think that this scenario could actually happen in a few years. It sort of reminds me of how in the NHL, teams like the Penguins and Blackhawks just keep stockpiling young talent via trades and the draft.

Now in the grand scheme of things, both of these teams are quickly becoming some of the deepest farm systems in professional baseball. The Pirates keep adding more and more depth at multiple positions in their system. As a fan, if you sit here and look at what could possibly be the World Series lineup for the Pirates in 2013, you begin to realize that the Pirates now have something in their farm system that they have not had in years past. OPTIONS. The added depth at positions such as third base, only add to the value of some prospects. So for example, if the Pirates have the great problem of having three big league ready third baseman, they can turnaround and trade one of them away to get what could be a huge piece to the puzzle. Whether that could be a quality reliever or starting pitcher, or a utility player. The Pirates now have different things they can do with each of their top prospects.

I recently just looked at the new, revised top 30 prospects for the Pirates, and it's truly incredible how two short years a team can nearly do a 180 degree turn. So once again, I salute the job of Neal Huntington and everyone involved with scouting and player development in the organization. You all are truly doing an incredible job.

A great 2008 and 2009 draft class, factored in with all of the trades make for something special. Of course prospects are just that, prospects, but the front office is now committed to bringing in players who want to win. If in a few years the Buccos are contenders, that's great. I would anticipate them making noise with the majority of their top prospects in the lineup.

The Pirates only weakness in their system is a possible cause for concern, middle infield. Sure, Ronny Cedeno has played well since being brought here, but he is not the answer for the long haul. Second base appears to be a little stronger of a position than SS. Former Pitt standout Jim Negrych and Shelby Ford should be locked in a position battle at next year's Spring Training to see who gets the job. Right now at SS, former Rice University star Brian Friday looks to be winning the race to PNC Park, as far as Pirates shortstop prospects go. Friday is currently playing for AAA Indianapolis. Other shortstops hoping to get a shot at the Major League club are Jordy Mercer and Chase D'Arnaud. Both are playing in High-A Lynchburg this season. Another player that you should not sleep on is Jarek Cunningham. Cunningham was drafted last year out of high school and played in the Gulf Coast Rookie League. While there, he displayed tremendous power and hitting abilities. Cunningham suffered a torn ACL in spring training before the start of this season and will be out the entire year. Also throw into the mix South African signee, Gift Ngoepe who can play both shortstop and second base. From what I have read and researched, Cunningham looks like he is the best prospect off all for shortstop. He displays a good glove, and should be a very good offensive player who posses excellent power for a middle infielder. However, from what I have heard, the recent knee injury could cause him to move to third base, but no one is completely sure just yet. I think the Pirates should be safe and just sign Miguel Angel Sano.

Despite what many fans may think, I am entitled to my opinion. This front office staff is doing it right. Building from the ground up to create a winner. And a winner they will create. No im not crazy. And no I'm not coo coo for Cocoa Puffs. In three seasons this organization will be in playoff contention. Who knows, maybe the year after that they will be in the pennant race. But in a perfect world, the 2013 Pirates will be the ones that didn't make history for all the wrong reasons. They will be the group to play hard and play together for a full 162 games. And they will be the team that will bring the World Series back to Pittsburgh.

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