Pedro Gets No Respect

The Pittsburgh Pirates have sucked balls for over 20 years. The streak of not only not making the playoffs, but having 21 consecutive losing seasons has been embarrassing. The Pirates have seen good players come and go during the streak, often times getting nothing in return. (Aramis Ramirez)

Now, as the losing streak at least looks like it's on the way of coming to an end, the Pirates actually have some really amazing young players. Of course, NL MVP candidate Andrew McCutchen is one of the most exciting and recognizable players on the team, he's a straight beast, and easily the face of the Pirates right now. Starling Marte looks like he too can be a perennial All-Star in the major leagues. The excitement and potential building around young arms Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon is through the roof.


Then there's former first-round pick Pedro Alvarez. El Toro if you will. The big bull is killing it this year. Alvarez leads the National League in home-runs right now and is tied for fourth with 82 RBI. He's also 16th in slugging percentage. But every damn game, especially when they lose, Alvarez gets killed by overcritical yinzers.

Yes his average isn't very good, yes he's on-base-percentage isn't very good, and he's made a good bit of errors at third base. Does that mean he sucks though? Does the bad really outweigh his good? Consider that he's on a team that is the fourth lowest scoring team in the NL and has just one player on the team batting .300 or better. (McCutchen)

Alvarez also has literally no protection in the lineup besides Cutch and sometimes Pirates' manager Clint Hurdle really mismanages where Pedro hits in the lineup. At least in my non-expert opinion. Pedro has no other legitimate power-hitter in the lineup to "protect" him, which is why the Pirates should go get Justin Morneau right now.

Last night, Pedro hit another dinger and also scored another run on a error. The homer was his national league best 31st of the season. Alvarez is now only the fifth Pirate to ever have back to back 30 home run seasons.....Ralph Kiner (1947-1952), Willie Stargell (1970-'73), Brian Giles (1999-2002) and Jason Bay (2005-'06). Pedro is what he is, yinzers need to STFU and learn to appreciate one of the few legit and really power hitters that the franchise has had, and that's currently in the major league right now.

Go Buccos