Rotation to take Spring Training stage

02/10/2006
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates will head to Spring Training next week feeling optimistic that the new season will be significantly better than the last.
Following the Bucs' busiest offseason in recent memory, the team has strengthened its offense and bullpen, and has added a coaching staff with a track record of big-league success.
However, for all of the moves the Pirates have made since October, it will be an area of the club that went relatively untouched during the winter facelift that will be the key to the club's success in 2006.
Pittsburgh's young starting pitchers, long considered the organization's greatest strength, must finally tap into their vast potential for the Pirates to realistically challenge for their first winning record since 1992.
"Pitching is always the most important part of the team. We've got a talented group," said general manager Dave Littlefield, the architect of Pittsburgh's winter renovations. "I'm looking forward to [manager] Jim Tracy, [pitching coach] Jim Colborn and [bullpen coach] Bobby Cuellar working with these guys."
The biggest challenges facing Tracy and Colborn are the enigmas at the top of the Bucs' starting rotation.
Southpaw Oliver Perez, who looked downright unhittable for most of the 2004 season, struggled with his velocity, control and confidence last season and was one of the biggest disappointments in all of baseball. Right-hander Kip Wells, who appeared to be well on his way to establishing himself as one of the game's promising young right-handers after finishing ranked 11th in the National League in ERA in 2003, led the big leagues in losses last season.
"My job is to help unlock what is inside them," said Coborn. "I think it is something that would have happened anyway if they would have just continued to compete. But once in a while I'll have a suggestion, idea or an approach that will help speed up the process. It isn't like I am magically taking a lump of coal and turning it into a diamond."
If Colborn can find a way to help Perez and Wells get back on track, the Pirates will have two potentially dominant starters at the top of their young staff. Otherwise, the Bucs will find themselves leaning on a pair of inexperienced southpaws to carry the burden.
Zach Duke, 22, was sensational as a rookie last season after being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in early July. Duke won each of his first six decisions, earned NL Rookie of the Month honors in each of his first two months in the big leagues and finished the season with an 8-2 record and a sparkling 1.81 ERA over 14 starts.
Paul Maholm, 23, was nearly as impressive as Duke. The former eighth overall selection in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Maholm went 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA over six starts following his Aug. 31 promotion from Triple-A, including two starts during which he tossed eight shutout innings against the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds.
"[Duke] did more than just get his feet wet. He made a statement for himself," said Tracy. "Maholm, if the season would have went on for another two or three weeks, he likely would have been in the same position from a statement standpoint as Zach Duke.
"Their maturity level, what they are ready to deal with and take on goes a long way in suggesting how successful they'll be in the early stages of their career."
While the success Duke and Maholm enjoyed so early in their careers was impressive, the Pirates know that there are potential pitfalls looming for a team that turns over two-fifths of their starting rotation to a pair of pitchers who have just 20 combined big-league starts under their belts.
"I anticipate they'll be like a lot of guys in their younger stages. They'll have their bumps along the way," said Littlefield. "But I think because of their talent and maturity they'll be able to overcome the problems and have long, successful careers."
The fifth starting spot will be up for grabs between Rule 5 acquisition Victor Santos and former top prospects Ian Snell, Ryan Vogelsong and Sean Burnett, who spent all of last season on the disabled list following elbow and shoulder surgeries.
Regardless of who wins the final job, Colborn will have his hands full with a volatile rotation that has the potential to carry or bury the Pirates in 2006.
For his part, Colborn certainly appears to be up for that challenge.
"I like their ability, their youth and their enthusiastic attitudes. I sense that they are hungry to learn," Colburn said. "That is the recipe for a pitching coach's happiness."

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/