AUTHOR: Josh TITLE: The Pirates Forgotten Man DATE: 7:25:00 PM ----- BODY:

When the Pirates traded Adam Laroche at the trade deadline last year, everyone assumed that Steve Pearce would take over the first base job. Steve Pearce started the next eight games for the Pirates at first base before getting a day off. This day off was not out of the ordinary but then he began to get a "day off" every couple of days which led to him getting inconsistent playing time. Pearce is your typical power hitting firstbasemen and this inconsistent playing time had a negative affect on his batting average. After struggling as a starter for the Pirates, many fans now believe that Steve Pearce is a player who had a great minor league career but it didnt translate into the major leagues. It is definitely too early to say this but since the Pirates have pressure on them to build a winning organization, they might not be willing to give Steve Pearce another chance. The numbers show that when Steve Pearce was given the first base job and played eight days in a row, he played well offensively, however when he was pushed in and out of the lineup his numbers dropped significantly. Steve Pearce is going to be given a chance to compete for the first base job in spring training this year and he will need to do something to show the Pirates management that he is ready to play everyday in the big leagues. It is in the Pirates best interest to keep a player like Steve Pearce around in the organization, either at the triple A level or on the major league ballclub. Steve is a guy who provides bigtime power and he will show this power at the major league level some time in the near future. It is up to the Pirates to make the decision on him now, they can either be patient with him or give up on him. Since Steve Pearce is a right handed batter, and most of the Pirates power hitters are left handed, he provides a balancing affect to the lineup. Steve Pearce could be the guy that breaks up the left handed batters in the lineup and makes the opposing managers job harder. The Pirates should give Steve Pearce another chance because he could be the difference between the Pirates making the playoffs or the Pirates missing the playoffs for an 18th straight year. -Josh (Pittsburghbaseball)

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