The Pittsburgh Pirates are smack in the middle of the playoff run. The All-Star Game is approaching and the Pirates are in possession of the third best record in baseball. Their plan is to fix whatever needs they have in their defense and offense. The Chicago Cubs's right-fielder, Nate Schierholtz, has been rumored to have attracted the Pirates' attention as they look to fill in their need in right field.
Schierholtz is posting the best numbers of his career with the Cubs in 2013. The seven-year veteran is posting the following triple slash: .275/.330/.510 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI. He's already exceeded his single-season home run high, which was nine, while Schierholtz played for the San Francisco Giants.
Speaking of the Giants, Schierholtz won a ring while in San Francisco in 2010. He was merely a pinch-hitter, but Schierholtz was a household name as he came up with the Giants after being drafted in the second round of the 2003 amateur draft. Schierholtz would bring playoff experience to the Pirates lineup, which has had limited experience in the postseason.
Currently on their roster, only pitcher A.J. Burnett has a championship ring on the Pirates' roster. Also lacking on their roster is a presence in right field that can produce on the field and at the batter's box. The Pirates have Jose Tabata platooning with a struggling 25-year-old, Travis Snider. So far in 2013, in 83 games, Snider is hitting .224/.294/.332 with three home runs and 22 RBI. Tabata only has 111 at bats in 44 games played, less than half of Snider's 223 in 2013. Tabata, however, is hitting .306/.369/.459 with two home runs and 10 RBI. He might lack power, but his on-base percentage is truly impressive as the Pirates need guys to get on base around Pedro Alvarez
Schierholtz could take over right field or platoon with Tabata as the 29-year-old Cubs' outfielder is a lefty.
An important stat too look at is Schierholtz success against the Cincinnati Reds, who are chasing the Pirates in the N.L. Central division. In 11 games, Schierholtz has gone 16-41, with a .390 batting average, one home run and two triples. His numbers against the St. Louis Cardinals aren't too impressive, but he has a home run in 19 at-bats with a .263 batting average. The Pirates play the Reds nine more times before the conclusion of the season, while they'll face the Cardinals a total of 11 times and five of those games will be played over a weekend.
