15 Key Pirates Pitchers for 2015: #15 Stolmy Pimentel

2014 Statistics 

32.2 IP/5.23 ERA/4.45 FIP/10.5 SO9/4.4 BB9

2015 ZiPS Projections

4.29 ERA/4.32 FIP/6.6 SO9/3.6 BB9

Why the Ranking?

It was difficult to figure out exactly where to put Pimentel on this list (or whether to put him on) but I decided that 15th was a safe spot given the possible outcomes I could imagine.  Looking back to 2014 it is obvious that the Pirates see Stolmy in a positive light despite his many struggles.  This first became apparent when he was added to the Opening Day roster.  Since he was out of options, he would have been designated for assignment if he had not made the roster after spring training.  The seemingly well-timed DL stints throughout the season was another sign of the value the front office put on his future potential.  Looking at Pimentel's repertoire this  was with good reason.  Out of the bullpen, his fastball has touched the upper 90s and sits in the mid 90s.  His secondary pitches include a solid change and slider that he continues to work on.  The main issue with Pimentel is command.  He has had trouble with his control throughout his minor league career and what finds him destined for middle relief.  However, if the Pirates pitching coaches can work some of their magic, Pimentel has strong late innings relief potential.  Additionally at the age of 25, there is still the possibility he could go back to starting if he can figure out the control issues.  The lack of options would most likely create another hurdle on the path to any future rotation spot.  Still Stolmy Pimentel has just enough upside to make the top 15 list.

Just Missed:

• Casey Sadler- The 14,15 and 16 spots on my list feel pretty interchangeable in my opinion.  I decide on leaving Saddler off the list due to the combination of lacking expericence and having options.  I guess we could also add in the fact that I value middle relief lower than most.
• Given that fact hear are a few other names that missed the list: Arquimedes Caminero, Bobby LaFromboise and Adam Wilk. (This list could go on for ever with similar pitchers).

 

15 Key Pirates Position Players for 2015: #15 Jose Tabata

2014 Statistics

186 AB/.282 BA/.314 OBP/.333 SLG

2015 ZiPS Projections

.265 BA/.322 OBP/.356 SLG/.300 wOBA 

Why the Ranking?

I know that this seems crazy, but looking over who was left out, it is hard to imagine a scenario where they add more value than Tabata could.  Of the options left off the top 15, their are three subsets: prospects, utility infielders and extra outfielders.  The prospects are Alan Hanson, Josh Bell, and Elias Diaz.  Bell and Hanson have yet to make an appearance in AAA and Diaz has only ten appearance above AA.  The Pirates do not rush their prospects so there is little chance any of the three make it up to the major league roster.  Of the three I would guess Diaz would have the best chance to see playing time.  He fits the style of catcher the Pirates have been using lately and the depth at catcher is the most likely to blow up.  Cervelli has a long injury history, Stewart has also had some durability issues and Tony Sanchez throwing issues could become a major concern.  

The utility infielders left off the list that could have possibly gotten some consideration were Pedro Florimon, Steve Lombardozzi, Justin Sellers Robert Andino and Jake Elmore.  They are all pretty much the same exact person.  If there is a scenario out there were either receive considerable playing time at any point during the season I would love to hear about it.  The additions of Sean Rodriguez and Jung-ho Kang this offseason have fixed the depth issue that had Brett Morel and Michael Martinez receiving playing time.  

So this left us with group of outfielders who all could conceivably see some time on the big league roster.  This includes players such as Gorkys Hernandez, Mel Rojas Jr and Keon Broxton as possible center fielders and corner outfielders like Tabata, and Jaff Decker.   With three virtual center fielders on the roster already, having that skill set really doesn't have too much of an effect on this discussion.  Additionally Rojos and Broxton  have not seen much of Triple-A.  Hernandez may have some value in the field, but there is little chance he would see anything more than defensive substitutions and pinch runner opportunities in the majors.  At 25 Decker still has a chance to break out at the major league level, however, I just don't see him putting it together this year.

And this is what leads us to Jose Tabata.  There is a decent chance that he will never play another game with the Pirates as he has obviously fallen out of favor with the team.  Still he has shown that he can put up solid platoon numbers and play in the MLB.  If I had to guess between him starting 5 games this year or him being out of the organization by the All Star Break I would choose the latter.  Until that happens, I will list him as the 15th most important position player for the Pirates 2015 season.

Bubble Watch: Saturday 2/28

Notes on the Finals:

• The big winner in the earlier games was obviously Dayton.  Their win on the rank over a ranked VCU will most likely clinch there spot in the tourney.
• The big loser was to NC State.  Losing to a bad BC team is pretty unacceptable.  I initially did not include the Wolfpack on this bubble watch, but with the loss they are obviously back on the bubble.  
• Sticking to the ACC, Miami could have definitely used a win at home against UNC.  I still don't believe the loss is not a fatal blow.
• Teams that did what they had to: Cincinnati, Rhode Island, St. Johns and LSU.

Most to Gain: Texas and BYU.  Both face top ten opponents on the road.  Securing a win will go far in finishing the resume.

Most to Lose: Texas A&M and Northwestern.  While the Aggies do not have many big wins, they have been able to avoid the bad loss.  Losing at home to Auburn would changed that.  Illinois has lost 3 straight and fourth straight at home against Northwestern would end most of their tourney hopes.


Here is a complete list of bubble teams/games to watch Saturday while Pitt has the day off (Bubble Teams are in Bold):

American 

• Cincinnati 63 at Tulane 47 Final ESPNNews 
• Tulsa at Memphis 8:00 PM ESPNU

Atlantic 10

• Rhode Island 59 at La Salle 56 Final NBC Sports
• Dayton 59 at 22 VCU 55 Final ESPN2
• George Washington at Davidson 7:00 PM MASN2/TWNC

ACC

• 15 North Carolina 73 at Miami 64 Final CBS

Big 12

• Texas at 8 Kansas 5:00 PM ESPN

Big East

• Georgetown 70 at St Johns  81 Final  PM CBS

Big Ten

• Iowa at Penn State  6:00 PM ESPNU
• Northwestern at Illinois 7:00 PM BTN

Mountain West

• Boise State at 24 San Diego St 8:00 PM ESPN2

SEC

• Auburn at Texas A&M 8:30 PM SEC Network
• Ole Miss 63 at LSU 73 Final FSN

WCC

• BYU at 3 Gonzaga 10:00 PM ESPN2