PIRATES - 4.10.03

First, I’d just like to apologize for the tardiness of getting my first Pirates report up, but no longer worry because you can count on getting a great, local report from FIC at least every two weeks. Now let’s get on to the report.

Fantasy Information Centrals Local Focus:

You could debate any of the following as being top stories for the Pirates. Reggie Sanders, NL Player of the Week for the first week of the year, batting .444 with 4 Home Runs and 11 RBIs is a hot issue. What about the Pirates offense? They are able to score 9 runs against the Phillies last Friday, but have only scored 6 runs in 4 games since. Or Kris Benson, he’s pitched 13+ innings without giving up a run, could he finally of recovered from that terrible elbow that has kept in him out of play his career?

But I want to touch on a different subject to start this out. Honus Wagner, Roberto Clemente, and Willie Stargell have another ageless, frozen figure to stand along side with them. Hall of Fame hitter Ralph Kiner was honored opening day by the Pirates in a way only the aforementioned three have been, a statue. Kiner, who led the league in home runs 6 of his 7 years as a Pirate, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975 for being one of the best power hitters of his time. So even though 50 years ago the Pirates traded away Kiner to Chicago, that statue represents another man who says he is proud to be a Pirate.

Latest Team Information:
Oven Effect

The Pirates are going through what I like to call the Oven Effect. Right out of the oven, as long as you turned it on of course, it comes out hot. But eventually it cools down. It seems the Pirates are suffering the Oven Effect right now, as they started off 4-0 but have slipped to 5-3 already. Now of course, 8 games into a 162 game season doesn’t mean you can stick a fork in them either. Lloyd McClendon said last night that he and his team understands this, and even though they have just a 1-3 record in their last four, they still look at their first games with a lot of positives and want to build off of that.

Farm Boys:

April 7, John Wasdin pitched a perfect game with 15 strikeouts for AAA Nashville.

In The Limelight:
Salomon Torres, Middle Reliever

Originally projected to be a starter for the Pirates this season, Torres will start in the bullpen where he has already shown he can be a very good pitcher to fill the gap between the starter and Mike Williams. In 6 innings pitched Torres has given up 2 Earned Runs, Struckout 2, and got a Win along with a Save. As a middle reliever he still has a lot to prove before he has fantasy value, but if someone in the starting rotation goes down with an injury, pay a close eye on Salomon.

Fantasy Guidance:

Reggie Sanders is a hot starter by nature, try and work out a trade by someone who thinks he will remain dominating all season

Watch Randall Simon, he’s getting much more playing time than backup Kevin Young. If he can hit .300 for the Tigers, he can do it again for the Pirates.

Kris Benson won’t lead you to a championship, but if you want a solid #3 starter on your team and he’s still in free agency, nab him while you can. If another team has him, try and work out a trade with him involved, but don’t make him the vocal point of the trade.

Mike Williams. 3 appearances. 3 saves. Even though he was not considered a top closer in the drafts a month ago, this guy won’t blow many chances.

So that’s it, my first report of many. A lot of writers, reporters, and correspondents have catch phrases at the end of their work, I wish I had something that was clever but hopefully just this will work.

[Insert Catch-Phrase Here]
Josh