Deven Marrero - Image Credit: Arizona State Athletics

We’ve already seen Baseball America ad Keith Law release mock drafts that have shortstop Deven Marrero going to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Today, Jonathan Mayo released a mock draft of the top ten picks, and also has the Pirates taking Marrero.

Mayo notes that Marrero has struggled this Spring, but has hit more consistently in the past. He also notes that it’s rare to get a draft pick who can stay at shortstop. Mayo’s top seven included the usual suspects from the consensus top six (Mark Appel, Byron Buxton, Mike Zunino, Kevin Gausman, Kyle Zimmer, and Carlos Correa). He also had Albert Almora going sixth overall. Max Fried went tenth overall to Colorado.

There was a lot of draft coverage earlier in the week, so to provide a quick recap:

**My feature earlier this week focused on the importance of scouting. In the feature, Neal Huntington talks about how the Pirates don’t anticipate going over the slotting pool.

**Speaking of the slotting pool, Baseball America has released the slot amounts for all of the picks in the top ten rounds. I’ve launched the 2012 Draft Pick Signing Tracker, which lists all of the Pirates’ picks, and all of the slot amounts. Throughout the year, the tracker will be used as a draft portal, with links to draft day coverage, links to all of the player pages, and links to news as players are signed.

**Baseball America also released their top 100 prospects.

**Now that Baseball America and Keith Law have both updated their rankings, let’s take a look at the average top ten rankings between BA, Law, and Jonathan Mayo:

1. Byron Buxton, OF, Prep

2. Mike Zunino, C, Florida

3t. Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

3t. Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

5. Carlos Correa, SS, Prep

6. Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

7. Max Fried, LHP, Prep

8. Albert Almora, OF, Prep

9. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Prep

10. Michael Wacha, RHP, Oklahoma State

**Keith Law released his first mock draft of the year, with the Pirates taking Deven Marrero.

**On my blog, I ask if Deven Marrero is the next Daniel Moskos.

The schedule for the top draft prospects this weekend:

THURSDAY

7:00 PM EST – Florida (Mike Zunino) at Auburn

FRIDAY

7:00 PM EST – Florida (Zunino) at Auburn

7:00 PM EST – LSU (Kevin Gausman) at South Carolina

7:35 PM EST – Texas A&M (Michael Wacha) at Oklahoma State

8:00 PM EST - Stanford (Mark Appel) at Utah

9:30 PM EST – Arizona State (Deven Marrero) vs Washington

SATURDAY

2:00 PM EST – Florida (Zunino) at Auburn

9:30 PM EST - Arizona State (Marrero) vs Washington

SUNDAY

3:30 PM EST - Arizona State (Marrero) vs Washington

Cole has allowed five or less hits in every start this year

Triple-A: Indianapolis (22-17) @ Lehigh Valley (23-16) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Jo-Jo Reyes (5-0 2.25)

Yesterday’s Result: Indianapolis 0 Lehigh Valley 1 (game story here)

Jo-Jo Reyes will make his seventh start of the season tonight, he also made one relief appearance at the start of the season. In all six of his starts, he has pitched at least five innings while giving up two runs or less. He made a start again Lehigh Valley on 5/7, throwing a complete game shutout. Reyes allowed three hits, one walk and he struck out a season high eight batters. He is holding opposing batters to a .246 average, left-handed hitters are batting just .145 against him.

Double-A: Altoona (15-22) @ Bowie (15-23) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Phil Irwin (0-1 7.20)

Yesterday’s Result: Altoona 4 Bowie 3 in 10 innings (game story here)

Phil Irwin will make his third start of the season tonight, his second while with Altoona. On 5/11, he gave up four runs in five innings, allowing five hits, two walks and he struck out one. After missing the first month of the season with an arm injury, Irwin made a rehab start with Bradenton on 5/5. He picked up the win, going five innings, while allowing one run on two hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

High-A: Bradenton (18-21) VS Dunedin (25-14) 6:30pm
Probable starter:  Gerrit Cole (2-1 3.18)

Yesterday’s Result: Bradenton 3 St Lucie 6 (game one) Bradenton 0 St Lucie 4 (game two)

Gerrit Cole will make his eighth start of the season tonight. In 34 innings, he has allowed 23 hits, walked eleven and struck out 39 batters. He trails team leader, Jameson Taillon, by one in strikeouts. Taillon has pitched 8.1 more innings than Cole. In his last start on 5/12, Gerrit allowed one run(solo homer) in six innings, giving up a total of three hits, one walk and he struck out five. Opposing batters are hitting .193 against him.

Low-A: West Virginia (13-26) @ Greenville (18-20) 7:05pm
Probable starter: Zac Fuesser (0-1 5.34)

Yesterday’s Result: West Virginia 7 Lexington 13

Zac Fuesser will make his eighth start of the season tonight. He has pitched 30.1 innings this year, giving up 36 hits, 13 walks and he has struck out twenty-three. Zac is looking to bounce back from his worst start of the season. On 5/12, he gave up nine earned runs in 4.1 innings, allowing 11 hits. He began the year by allowing six hits over his first 11 innings(three starts). Since then he has allowed 30 hits in 19.1 innings.

(Box)

Daniel Cabrera took a tough loss today, allowing one run in six innings.

The Indianapolis Indians were shut out by the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs for the second day in a row, losing 1-0 at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA.  This gives the Indians 36 straight innings without scoring an earned run.  They were shut out by the Norfolk Tides on Sunday at home, and though they won on Monday, the only run they scored in that game was unearned.  The Indians out-hit the Iron Pigs 8-5 tonight, but the Iron Pigs needed only two of those hits, along with a hit batter, to score the only run of the game.

The game began as a pitching duel between Indians’ starter Daniel Cabrera and Iron Pigs’ starter Scott Elarton.  Each team posted 3 hits over the first 5 innings, but did not score a run.  The Tribe had a runner on base in three of those innings.  3B Matt Hague lined a single into left field in the 2nd, but was erased when 2B Jordy Mercer bounced into a double play.  C Jose Morales worked a walk in the 3rd, and was left on base.  CF Starling Marte beat out an infield single in the 4th, but was promptly thrown out by former Indy Indian C Erik Kratz as he tried to steal second base.

The Iron Pigs put a runner on base in each of the first four innings.  Cabrera walked CF Derrick Mitchell and hit 2B Kevin Frandsen with a pitch in the bottom of the 1st.  Two ground outs ended the inning with both runners stranded in scoring position.  3B Tug Hulett singled in the 2nd and Frandsen singled in the 3rd, and both of them were left on base.  RF Michael Spidale singled to lead off the 4th, but moments later was erased when Hulett bounced into a double play.  The grounder went right to second base, where SS Chase d’Arnaud was covering.  D’Arnaud took a step to touch second base and force out Spidale, then fired on to first for the out on Hulett.

Jeff Clement singled twice in tonight's game.

It was the bottom of the 6th when the Iron Pigs cracked the scoreboard.  With one out, Frandsen singled up the middle, then Cabrera hit Kratz with a pitch.  Spidale grounded to second, where Kratz was forced out, giving the Iron Pigs runners on the corners.  1B Cody Overbeck drove in Frandsen with a single into center, for what would be the only run of the game.

The Tribe tried to respond with a rally in the top of the 7th, in what was their best chance at scoring.  With one out, 1B Jeff Clement slipped a single up the middle, and 2B Jordy Mercer worked a walk, moving Clement to second base.  Jake Fox came in to pinch-hit for RF Jeff Larish, but Fox popped out to end the threat.

Bryan Morris came on to relieve Daniel Cabrera, who had pitched 6 innings.  Cabrera had allowed the one run on 5 hits and a walk, with 5 strikeouts.  Morris zipped through the 7th inning, with three straight ground outs to Mercer at second base.  He had a little more trouble in the 8th, allowing a pair of back-to-back walks, but ended the inning with a double play, 6-4-3 (d’Arnaud to Mercer to Clement).

In the top of the 8th, the Indians fell victim to a rare triple play.  Morales led off with a line drive single into center field.  Brian Friday came on to pinch-run for Morales.  Brandon Boggs, who had entered the game in a double-switch, made it back-to-back singles by grounded into center field.  That brought up d’Arnaud, who tried to put down a bunt.  Instead of going down, his bunt attempt popped up.  Erik Kratz took a step in front of the plate and caught the pop, then fired to SS Andres Blanco, who doubled off Friday.  Blanco relayed the ball to Frandsen at first, doubling off Boggs to complete the triple play.

The Indians had one more try in the top of the 9th, and again they put two runners on base.  LF Gorkys Hernandez led off by beating out a throw from 3B Hulett, for an infield single.  A strikeout and a line out left the Indians with one more out to work with.  Matt Hague hit his second single of the day, lining into right field.  With the tying and go-ahead run on base, Jordy Mercer grounded to third, for a force out at second to end the game.

Daniel Cabrera, who surrendered the only run of the game, suffered the loss, his first of the season.  He threw 98 pitches (62 strikes).

The Toledo Mud Hens also loss tonight, so the Indians remain in first place in the International League Western Division by half a game over the Mud Hens.

Indians’ Hitting Gem of the Game:  Two hits each for Jeff Clement and Matt Hague.  Hague singled in the 2nd and 9th.  Clement had his hits in the 4th and 7th.

Indians’ Defensive Gem of the Game:  The Tribe turned two double plays, but the slickest one came in the 4th. SS Chase d’Arnaud made the scoop of Tug Hulett’s grounder just a step away from second base, making it easy to step on the bag and then fire on to first base.

NOTES

Justin Wilson was feeling better today.

Roster Moves:  Reliever Evan Meek was called back up to the Pirates today.  In order to clear a roster spot on the big club, OF Alex Presley was optioned back to Indianapolis.  Presley has been struggling at the plate recently, so maybe a stint back at AAA will shake him out of it.

Justin Wilson, who had to leave the game on Monday due to a groin strain, pitched a side session today and reported that he felt fine.  He might not have to miss his next start after all.

Former Indianapolis Indian OF Rich Thompson, who has been playing for the Iron Pigs for most of the past 4 seasons, was traded to the Rays today.  It seems that he might get to go right to the major league team and get some playing time, due to an injury to Rays’ OF Brandon Guyer.

Nate Baker Battles Control Problems, Relievers More Effective

Altoona starter Nate Baker, who’s largely struggled this year, ran into control problems right from the start.  He walked two and hit one batter in the first, leading to two runs.  He managed to pitch scorelessly after that, but was lifted with two outs in the fifth as he’d thrown 94 pitches.  He finished with three hits allowed and five walks, and he fanned only one against a weak Bowie lineup.  Baker’s fastball sat at 89 and he showed a good change.  His breaking stuff was less impressive as he generally lacked much control of it.

Three Altoona relievers had less trouble, with the only glitch being an ill-timed Vic Black balk.  Kris Harvey followed Baker and threw an inning and a third, allowing one hit.  Harvey’s fastball sat at 91, which is less velocity than he had earlier in his career.  Black came on with the Curve up 3-2 and threw two innings.  He allowed two hits and no walks, while fanning four.  The one run came when the first hitter Black faced–the very weak-hitting Steven (son of Al) Bumbry–doubled to the opposite field, just missing a HR.  After a sacrifice put Bumbry on third, Black got a strikeout, but he stumbled in a delivery to the next hitter, balking in the tying run.  Black’s fastball ranged from 91-96, sitting at 94 until partway through his second inning he started hitting 96 frequently.  He showed a low-80s breaking ball that could be either a slider or a hard curve, I’m not sure which.  It had a sharp break at times.  Black’s command still needs work, but he struggled far less to throw strikes in this game than when I’ve seen him in the past.  In this game he threw 24 of 33 pitches for strikes.  Duke Welker pitched the 9th and 10th innings to get the win.  Welker’s fastball velocity was 96-99 in his first inning.  It dropped a little to 94-97 in his second inning, and his control also became more shaky.  He threw a slider that registered 88 at times.  The slider still needs work, which probably is why Welker hasn’t fanned all that many hitters this year, just 6.5 per nine innings.  Welker allowed just a walk in the two innings, and fanned one.

Notes on Other Players

–  Quincy Latimore has been having a rough year, but in this game he went 2-4 and gunned a runner down at home with a perfect throw.

–  Robbie Grossman went 1-5 with two strikeouts, just as he did the day before.  The one hit was a triple to lead off the game.

–  The Curve blew a scoring opportunity in the 5th when they had the bases loaded with one out.  Grossman hit into a double play at that point, one of four the Curve hit into on the day.  They nearly blew another scoring chance in the 6th when Matt Curry struck out with a runner on third and two out.  Fortunately, Ramon Cabrera followed with a double lined over the leftfielder’s head.  Cabrera now leads the Curve with 20 RBIs.

A look at how the current top 10 prospects did today.  Note that this list doesn’t include players currently in the majors. Rankings from the 2012 Prospect Guide, which can be purchased here.

1. Gerrit Cole, RHP (2-1, 3.18) - DNP

2. Jameson Taillon, RHP (2-3, 2.55) - 5.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 HR

3. Starling Marte, CF (.260) - 1-for-4, 2 K

4. Josh Bell, RF (.274) - Low-A DL

5. Luis Heredia, RHP (No Stats) - Extended Spring Training

6. Robbie Grossman, CF (.234) - 1-for-5, 3B

7. Tony Sanchez, C (.250) - 0-for-4, BB

8. Stetson Allie, RHP (0-0, 54.00) - Extended Spring Training

9. Kyle McPherson, RHP (No Stats) - AAA DL

10. Nick Kingham, RHP (1-2, 6.75) - DNP

COUPON CODE

The minor league system hit 17 homers last week. The code “HOME RUN” gives you $0.50 off per home run, which is a savings of $8.50. That’s the biggest discount yet! Use the code on the products page of the site to get your discount. Expires Sunday 5/20 at 11:59:59 PM EST.

DAILY SUMMARY

Top Hitter: Alen Hanson, SS (.358) – 3-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI

Home Runs: Alen Hanson (6), Junior Sosa (1)

AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

Box Score

Result: Lehigh Valley 1, Indianapolis 0

Starting Pitcher: Daniel Cabrera, RHP (1-1, 2.78) – 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Matt Hague, 3B (.281) – 2-for-4

Other Notable Performers

Jeff Clement, 1B (.296) – 2-for-4

Bryan Morris, RHP (2.45) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

Game Notes: Indianapolis was shut out for the second night in a row. On the season, Bryan Morris has a 2.45 ERA in 23 innings, with a 19:4 K/BB ratio. Per Nancy Zinni, Justin Wilson threw a side session today and reported that he felt fine.

AA: ALTOONA CURVE

Box Score

Result: Altoona 4, Bowie 3

Starting Pitcher: Nathan Baker, LHP (5.17) – 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Kelson Brown, SS (.351) – 3-for-3, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI

Other Notable Performers

Ramon Cabrera, DH (.275) – 1-for-3, 2B, BB

Robbie Grossman, CF (.234) – 1-for-5, 3B, 2 K

Victor Black, RHP (2.00) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR

Duke Welker, RHP (2-1, 2.33) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

Game Notes: Nathan Baker has struggled with his control at times this year, with this being his third start out of eight with a walk per inning. He did limit the hits tonight, and has given up five earned runs in 16.2 innings over the last three starts, although his 7:7 K/BB ratio in that stretch isn’t ideal. On the season Victor Black has a 2.00 ERA in 18 innings, with a 21:7 K/BB ratio. Duke Welker has a 2.33 ERA in 19.1 innings, with a 14:7 K/BB ratio. Kelson Brown is putting up some good numbers, although he only has 57 at-bats on the season. He’s been hot in May, going 11-for-22 (.500) with tonight’s extra base hits being his first of the month.

A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS

Game One Box Score

Result: St. Lucie 6, Bradenton 3

Starting Pitcher: Jameson Taillon, RHP (2-3, 2.55) – 5.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 HR

Top Hitter: Gift Ngoepe, SS (.240) – 3-for-4, 2B

Other Notable Performers

Carlos Paulino, C (.243) – 2-for-3, 3B, RBI

Mel Rojas, CF (.282) – 1-for-3, SB

Game Notes: Jameson Taillon has his worst start of the year. Heading in to the game he had given up six runs in 36.2 innings. Today he gave up six runs in 5.2 innings. He also gave up his first two homers, walked more than one batter for the third time in eight starts, and gave up a season high in hits. His overall numbers are still strong, with a 2.55 ERA in 42.1 innings, along with a 40:9 K/BB ratio.

Game Two Box Score

Result: St. Lucie 4, Bradenton 0

Starting Pitcher: Hunter Strickland, RHP (2-1, 4.42) – 2.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 2 HR

Top Hitter: Justin Howard, RF (.235) – 1-for-3, 2B

Other Notable Performers

Mel Rojas, CF (.282) – 1-for-3

Game Notes: Since returning from being hit by a line drive, Hunter Strickland has allowed six runs in 5.1 innings, with a 1:1 K/BB ratio. Prior to the injury, Strickland had given up three runs in 13 innings with a 10:2 K/BB ratio.

A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER

Box Score

Result: Lexington 13, West Virginia 7

Starting Pitcher: Ryan Hafner, RHP (0-3, 8.24) – 3.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Alen Hanson, SS (.358) – 3-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI

Other Notable Performers

Junior Sosa, LF (.297) – 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, SB

Game Notes: Ryan Hafner now has an 8.24 ERA on the year in 19.2 innings, with a 10:14 K/BB ratio and four homers. Alen Hanson had a much better day today, rebounding from an 0-for-4, 4 strikeout day. Hanson hit his sixth homer of the year, which was a solo shot in the ninth inning. He didn’t have such a good day on the field, with four errors. Junior Sosa hit his first homer of the year, and is now hitting for a .297/.385/.385 line in 91 at-bats. Gregory Polanco extended his hitting streak to nine games.

ORGANIZATIONAL RECORDS

AAA: Indianapolis Indians – 22-17

AA: Altoona Curve – 15-22

A+: Bradenton Marauders – 18-21

A: West Virginia Power – 13-26

Bedard suffered back spasms during his outing on May 9 against the Nationals. Image Credit: Pittsburgh Pirates

Left-hander Erik Bedard made his first start on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals since his scheduled start was bumped back by two days due to back spasms.

The lefty allowed four runs on six hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out seven while throwing 92 pitches, 62 strikes. It marked Bedard’s first outing this season that he allowed more than two earned runs.

Three of the four runs that Bedard allowed came from the long ball. The lefty allowed one to Ian Desmond in the second frame. Bedard went on to retire 11 straight batters, which included seven whiffs, before giving up back-to-back homers in the sixth. Bedard allowed just one home run over his first seven starts of the season (35.0 innings). The first run scored on a RBI ground out by Ryan Zimmerman in the first inning. Bryce Harper scored the run after tripling off the right field wall with one out.

Barajas Showing Signs of Breaking Out of Slow Start

Both Rod Barajas and Clint Barmes are hitting below .200 on the season, but Barajas has shown signs at the plate of breaking out of the slump to start the season. The catcher went deep for the second time in five games Monday, and four of his last six hits have gone for extra bases. Barajas entered Wednesday’s game with an .821 OPS in May, after a .406 OPS in April.

“We didn’t bring those guys in here to hit 40 home runs and hit .320,” General Manager Neal Huntington said. “We brought those guys in here to be stabilizing veteran presences, guys in the middle of our field defensively.”

“There’s going to be recovery here. [Hitting Coach] Gregg [Ritchie] and [Pirates Manager] Clint [Hurdle] continue to work with these guys. There’s no question that we want more production than they have been offensively…Rod’s starting to get some hits. Clint is showing signs, but there’s no doubt that we need these guys to turn a corner. But again, we need them to be what we expected them to be. We knew what they were going to be offensively coming in, they weren’t signed to come in and be difference makers for us. They were signed to come in and stabilize the defensive diamond, to be positive clubhouse presences. Both have done that.”

Lincoln’s Change in Mentality

Right-hander Brad Lincoln allowed two runs on four hits over six innings during his spot start on Monday in Miami. And before that start, Lincoln posted just an 0.63 ERA out of the bullpen over 14.1 innings. The righty has spent parts of three seasons in the Majors, but right now is pitching the best he has in his professional career.

“Don’t be afraid to fail,” Lincoln said of his mentality. “I think that when I first got up here the last couple years, I was kind of a little timid about finding the plate, maybe getting hit around a little bit. Now it’s just, let it go and I’m going to come right at you. If you beat me, you beat me. If not, good things will happen. So far, so good for me this year. Things have been working out.”

Presley, 26, posted a .220/.246/.551 line over 118 at-bats (34 games) with Pittsburgh this season. The outfielder broke camp with the big league club for the first time in his professional career. After starting the season off hot — .309 average over his first 19 games, Presley has been in a slump. The 26-year-old has been making tweaks at the plate over the past several weeks in order to gain last season’s swing. Presley has gone just 3-for-42 over his last 15 games.

“Alex has got to get back to what has allowed him to be successful a year ago,” General Manager Neal Huntington said on Sunday. “And that was look to drive the pitches that are in his hitting area, command the strike zone and not expand the strike zone. When he does that, he’s a dangerous offensive player. When he gets inside his dome and tries to do too much or just becomes passive, and looks to slap, he’s not the same hitter that he was when he was successful a year ago.”

Meek was optioned on April 30 after posting a 5.59 ERA over nine appearances to start the season in Pittsburgh. He made four scoreless relief appearances while with Triple-A. Meek allowed just two hits over 6.0 innings with two walks and five strikeouts.

Wednesday, 7:05 PM – Gio Gonzalez

Gonzalez has plus velocity from the left side, sitting in the 92-93 range and touching 95 MPH. He also throws a two-seam sinker around 91-93 MPH with good movement. The break on the sinker is mostly horizontal, so he does not rack up a ton of ground balls with it. His main secondary offering is a big curve that is generally around 78-81 MPH. He also mixes in a mid 80′s changeup, almost exclusively against right-handers. Gonzalez gets most of his swings and misses on his off-speed pitches, generating a whiff rate over 40% on both the curve and change so far in 2012. His fastball has also been very difficult to put in play this year. Overall, he misses a ton of bats, leading to his league leading strikeout rate of 29.8%. None of that bodes well for the contact-challenged Pirates.

Thursday, 7:05 PM – Jordan Zimmermann

Zimmermann has had a very successful comeback from the Tommy John surgery he underwent late in 2009. He has a live four-seam fastball, which sits around 93-94 MPH and can touch 96. On occasion, he will mix in a low 90′s two-seamer as well. His primary breaking ball is a mid 80′s slider, and he also throws an upper 70′s curve. He very rarely goes to his mid 80′s changeup (he’s thrown about 20 changeups total in 2012), which has some decent sink. Zimmermann does not miss a ton of bats, with only his fastball and slider managing average whiff rates so far this year. However, he has good control and has been racking up loads of ground balls with each of his pitches in 2012.

Michael McKenry

After the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired catcher Michael McKenry from Triple-A Pawtucket (Red Sox) on June 12 of last season, McKenry went on to start in 58 games over the remainder of 2011. The Bucs’ catchers were plagued with injuries during the 2011 season — needing to use eight different catchers behind the plate. McKenry became the primary catcher when he was acquired, but his role this season is different. And it’s been an adjustment for the 27-year-old. McKenry went deep of Miami’s Josh Johnson on Tuesday night, his second of the season. Overall, the catcher is hitting .195/.298/.688 after starting the season off well — .300 (6-for-20) in eight games in April.

“It’s a learning process — catching-wise and hitting-wise,” McKenry said. “I’ve made a lot of adjustments this offseason hitting, so it started out really, really good. Just not playing everyday, trying to adjust to keeping your timing after making your adjustments is kind of tough at times. I’m learning as I go. I ask Rod [Barajas] a lot of questions. I ask some guys that have either played back up roles or played utility infield roles, whatever it may be. Just trying to learn on the fly and hopefully as the season goes, I continue to get a little better at help this team.”

McKenry has started in 12 games so far this season, with veteran Rod Barajas making 24 starts behind the dish. McKenry said he puts a lot of time in trying to stay fresh since he’s not playing everyday.

“A lot situational hitting in the cage. A lot of extra throwing. A lot of extra blocking. I try to make it as game-like as I can, as situational as I can,” McKenry said. “Sometimes it’s hard, but really just doing anything I can to stay fresh.”

Improving on the opposing teams running game was something that the club focused on during spring training. McKenry has done well at nailing runners attempting to swipe bases. During his start on May 10, McKenry nailed Danny Espinosa trying to steal second with one out in the second inning. Overall, McKenry is 2-for-5 (40%) on caught stealing.

“The pitchers are doing a better job this year at holding guys on and varying their times, giving us an opportunity,” McKenry said. “I know last year at times it got tough. Stealers are going to get their stolen bases. We’ve got to utilize that when we do have a chance, to take advantage of it. If these guys keep throwing the way they do, any out is precious, but these guys are mowing guys down right now — knock on wood — so hopefully they can continue to do that. That’s the number one focus.”

McKenry is grateful for his opportunity to play in the big leagues. Nicknamed ‘The Fort’, he said he’s excited to be a part of this club and to be able to catch the Pirates pitching staff. Their team ERA of 3.15 entered game action on Tuesday ranked No. 2 in the Majors this season. And their 2.65 bullpen ERA ranked No. 4.

“Every guy is trying to grow. Trying to get a little bit better whether they’re adding a pitch or enhancing a pitch they already have, or just commanding their strengths instead of trying to reinvent the wheel,” McKenry said. “I think sometimes with all this knowledge and scouting reports, we try to make something out of nothing. I think this year every guy on our staff, even guys that haven’t had the early success, are going to come out on top just because their continually growing, continually growing. They want to be the best, not only on this team, but the best in the league. I think it’s a special group of guys. They work well together. I’m just excited to be a part of it.”