Comments on: Alvarez, McCutchen Seeing Good Results with New Batting Stances

By: Lee Young

Lee Young — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:29:00 +0000

I’m just happy to see Pedro’s ears. I didn’t know he had them.

By: Ian Rothermund

Ian Rothermund — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:38:00 +0000

Most definitely, especially considering the fact that he’ll probably be working out of the 5/6 hole for most of the year, and I would lean towards him being a 6. The pirates haven’t had production like that from that particular part of the lineup in……19 years?

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:22:00 +0000

Have you observed something different over the last week in Spring Training?

By: J.P. Greenland

J.P. Greenland — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:15:00 +0000

”Just like in a game” Timmy? I think not.

By: Ross

Ross — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:21:00 +0000

if pedro churns out a .250 avg, 20 HR, 70-75 rbi, you have no idea how much wonders that would do for the buccos lineup…..i would call that stat line a successful year if he got that

By: leadoff

leadoff — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:28:00 +0000

McCutchen is key hitter for this year offensively IMO, with Presley and Tabata in front of him, he is going to have a lot of chances for RBI’s, the top three in this lineup can cause a lot of problems for opposing pitchers.
The question for Hurdle is, Who starts the year as your 4 hitter? If it is Alvarez, McCutchen can take a lot of pressure off of him if he hits well in front of him.

By: ElGaupo77

ElGaupo77 — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:55:00 +0000

Cutch got pitched around a ton in the last half of the season. He pressed instead of taking a lot of walks. Understandable.

By: Ian Rothermund

Ian Rothermund — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:04:00 +0000

The toe tap probably won’t help with the mental aspect of going out of the zone. Unless, you’re talking about the toe tap improving his overall timing, allowing him to make contact with the good pitches and therefore he isn’t going up to the plate being desperate to prove something.

Personally I’m glad he took the entire offseason off and just focused on getting into better shape, I think it will do him a world of good come April. Also, note that I don’t necessarily think that “a world of good” will equate to 30 HR. However, I think he’ll definitely have a much better K/BB rate, maybe more into a .250 AVG range, and a SLG closer to 2010′s.

I realize I’m going out on a limb here, and by no means am I really expecting a “break-out” season by Pedro. I’m just of the opinion that this will be the year that Pedro reinstills some confidence to; himself, his teammates, and the fans.

By: BarryJT

BarryJT — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:34:00 +0000

I worry a little about Cutch fiddling with his stance, but if it keeps him from over swinging…

Regarding one of Hurdle’s comments – what, he never saw Brian Downing?

By: TOM GUIDO

TOM GUIDO — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:16:00 +0000

Uneducated baseball “fans”…have you ever heard the terms, making an adjustment? This is a great step in the development of both Pedro and Cutch. Every great player has to do this…