Pittsburgh Pirates' bats are booming in the Grapefruit League with young sluggers and top prospects igniting the offense.
Baseball people always say that March is the worst time to get excited about players.
Teams are playing exhibition games in Florida and Arizona that serve only to prepare players for the regular season and let front offices and coaches evaluate rosters.
However, it’s easy to understand why Pittsburgh Pirates fans are getting excited about what is happening in the Grapefruit League.
The Pirates are 9-2, a record that is the best in the major leagues but means nothing, though it gives fans some positivity after last season’s last-place finish and 29 losing seasons in 33 years.
The most encouraging part of this start is Pittsburgh's 65 runs in 11 games. Though these games don’t count, the Pirates were last in runs scored last season.
Leading Pittsburgh's offensive surge is an interesting group of players.
Shortstop Konnor Griffin, the top prospect in baseball, has three home runs in 14 at-bats. The 19-year-old has six RBIs and is making a strong opening-day case despite only one year of professional experience.
Nick Gonzales is likely to start at shortstop, while Griffin, who challenged him, is another contender for the position. Gonzales is meeting Griffin’s challenge by going 7 for 13 with a double. He will play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, beginning Thursday.
The Pirates have long awaited a breakout season from center fielder Oneil Cruz, and his early performance hints that this could be the year. Cruz is 7 for 13 with a double, a home run, three stolen bases, and five runs scored.
Another 7-for-13 hitter is rookie outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, acquired from the Red Sox in the offseason. He has one homer and three steals and looks like a long-term asset for Pittsburgh.
The biggest surprise is shortstop prospect Yordany De Los Santos, who is not even in the major-league spring training camp. However, De Los Santos has homered twice after being asked to come over from minor-league camp during the late innings. He is 3 for 6 with a double, six RBIs, and runs scored.
De Los Santos is expected to start the season at High-A Greensboro, even if he is hitting like a big leaguer at the moment.
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