Steven Pearce

by baseballgg24 on Jun 13, 2007 1:24 AM EDT

Hi, I'm curious what you guys think about Pirates AA 1st basemen Steven Pearce. He hit his 16th and 17th home run tonight for Altoona, and he has a line of .300/.380/.500, and while he is not really young, he is still just 24. What do you think is his ceiling at the major league level, and where do you think he fits into the Pirates lineup?

Obviously they need a bat wit that kind of power, but there is no way they would move Laroach, even with his mighty struggles this year. I dont know anything about his mobility, but maybe he could slide into RF for next season, with Doumit getting most of the starts at catcher and Nady moving into center field when Duffy hopefully goes to the bench. Thanks for you guys input.

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Actually slugging over .560

He's shown a lot of power this year, and has a BB/K of 17/24 at AA over 137 AB, which isn't terrible either.

The big knock on him are that he's "short" at 5-11, so scouts don't see a lot of power projection in him. That's why the Pirates were able to draft him as a senior sign in the 8th round. He's also had trouble adjusting to breaking balls at lower levels, but apparently given his success at AA that hasn't been an issue for him.

As a Pirate fan I'm obviously rooting for him, but I think what you see is what you get. He is 24 already after all. He's not particularly big, and he stole 8 bases last year, so he's not completely immobile; he should be able to move to the outfield if necessary. I think at his peak he may be a solid average, .280/.350/.500 major league corner player, which would be a huge improvement for the Bucs at most of those positions.

by shayborg on Jun 13, 2007 2:29 AM EDT reply actions

Pearce = Craig Wilson

pretty much.

Mike Emeigh http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/minor_key/

by MikeE on Jun 13, 2007 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Elaborate?

Mike-

I kinda know who you are, so I respect your statement. However, that is what BA said about him, so is that your opinion or are you relating what you've heard? In a BA chat, it was stated that Pearce was USC's backup catcher, which adds to the Wilson comparison.

Is it also true that Pearce played a little 3b in college?

by cooper7d7 on Jun 13, 2007 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't see the Wilson comparison...

Wilson is/was a more physical player with more power projection.
At the age Pearce is now, Wilson was in Pittsburgh putting up a .310/.390/.589 line.

by templeUsox on Jun 13, 2007 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmm

I don't entirely buy that comparison. Although the overall batting lines look similar, Pearce has better control of the strike zone while still being a little more aggressive at the plate.

by shayborg on Jun 13, 2007 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Nady moving

to center?
Have fun with that

And Cooper, yes. Pearce started games at first and third in college and was a reserve catcher. His draft appeal was originally based off that versatility, plus his power. He was seen as a possible offensive-minded 1b/3b/C supersub, so it was kind of surprising to see the Bucs draft him and say he was a 1b only.

by nms on Jun 13, 2007 1:27 PM EDT reply actions