Pirates Notes

Long Talks Have Raynor Back on Track

By Paul Ladewski

POSTED: March 10, 2010

Save | Print | Email | Read comments | Post a comment

BRADENTON, Fla. The Pirates have had success in the Rule 5 draft in recent years, when pitchers Evan Meek and Donnie Veal were among the finds, and outfielder John Raynor may be the next player to follow them.

Through eight games, Raynor owned a .538 batting average and led the team in runs (four), hits (seven) and total bases (10). The 26-year-old was one of lead candidates for a reserve outfield spot on the Opening Day roster.

"I'm back to where I was two years ago," said Raynor, who was acquired from the Florida Marlins in the Rule 5 draft this winter. "I never struggled with hitting until last year, but I made adjustments to get back where I was, and it showed lately."

In 2008, at Class AA Carolina, Raynor hit .312 in 126 games. He took at step back last season, when he hit .257 for New Orleans in his first stint at the Triple A level. Raynor changed his approach at the plate, adjustments that he said were premature in retrospect.

"I didn't handle failure very well," Raynor admitted. "I didn't give myself enough time to pan out like I had in the past. I developed some bad habits along the way."

This spring Raynor has worked with batting coach Don Long to move his hands back and away from his body, which has allowed for better plate coverage.

Raynor also has focused on better balance at the plate. He often leaned too heavily on his front side in the past, which prompted him to pull off the ball prematurely.

"Now I feel good at the plate, and I've got somebody that knows my swing to watch me," Raynor said. "Whenever I get out line, Don corrects me."

CAN'T TELL HIM FROM ADAM: Veteran Vinnie Chulk wants it known that, no, Adam LaRoche has not returned to the Pirates as a pitcher.

Chulk bears a remarkable facial resemblance to the first baseman -- beard and all -- a fact not lost on PNC Park faithful in recent years.

"It happens a lot," said Chulk, who never met LaRoche personally. "When I was with the (San Francisco) Giants, it happened all the time. When we visited Pittsburgh, people would be like 'Man, you look just like Adam LaRoche.' I'd tell them, 'I can't hit like him, but I'm a better pitcher.'"

In the early days of preseason, Chulk looks to be a candidate for a bullpen spot, especially if Octavio Dotel or Joel Hanrahan are slow to return from injuries. In four innings, he allowed one run on two hits and struck out seven batters.

"My goal always has been to be in the big leagues, but I still have to perform," Chulk said. "Whatever they ask me to do, I can do it and do it pretty well."

Chulk split last season between the Cleveland Indians and Class AAA Columbus before a freakish injury cut it short. In July, he slipped on the bathroom floor in the Fifth Third Field clubhouse in Toledo. The Miami native rolled the same ankle on the first pitch of his next appearance then sat out the remainder of the season.

"Just bad luck," Chulk called it. "The worst part was that I throwing the ball well at the time. It was a tough time for me, but I got over it."

NIGHT MOVES: The game against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday was the first and last to be played under the lights at McKechnie Field this season. For some players, the final out couldn't come soon enough.

Pitcher Zach Duke said that he strained to read the sign from the catcher occasionally. Outfielder Garrett Jones said he couldn't pick up the spin on the ball as well as normal.

Another player said the field was so dark in certain places that he couldn't pick up the flight of the ball at times. "A minor league facility," he called it.

NEXT . . .: The Pirates will host the Tampa Bay Rays at McKechnie Field this afternoon (1:05 p.m., Pirates.com).

Kevin Hart (three innings or 50 pitches), Jeff Karstens, Jack Taschner, Evan Meek, Donnie Veal, Jean Machi and Jeremy Powell are the scheduled pitchers.

Wade Davis will be the Rays starter.

Share: