BRADENTON, Fla. — Francisco Cervelliis not Russell Martin, but he is the Pirates’ new catcher, and in the earliest going of spring training, he’s already shown an energy, an enthusiasm to support the notion that he’s at least up to the mental challenge of replacing such a popular player.
“He’s going to be fine,” Manny Sanguillen, the franchise’s only two-time champion behind the plate, was telling me this morning. “He knows this is his chance. He’s the No. 1 catcher in Pittsburgh. Not anybody else. All he needs to be is himself.”
Cervelli and Sanguillen have been almost inseparable since arriving at Pirate City.
I spoke with Cervelli today after the second day of workouts.
I just don't know. This guy has never been healthy playing the most demanding positions in sports. Lirianos slider, Burnett is back with that curve. Mortons low stuff.
He's gonna take a beating. They'll need Stewart too, and eventual Diaz...Hopefully he can be at least healthy and adequate. I like Chris Stewart but not 100 games worth.
It's amazing what kind of red carpet Russ Martin rolled out for Cervelli.
I think Cervelli will be an adequate catcher, but he isn't half the player Martin was when he got to town, and Cervelli isn't coming in after a winter's worth of ".211 BATTING AVERAGEZDFHBD!!!" denigration.
bpn8pitt
2-20-2015, 3:25 pm
I think I said before, Montero was a nice acquisition by the Cubs. Price, stick, glove...i know the Cutch history but he or someone like him would have been nice.
Steelkings
2-20-2015, 4:21 pm
I was surprised that the Pirates didnt make a run at Navarro when Martin signed. However IF Cervelli can stay healthy and maintain his average OBP, the position will be just fine.
bpn8pitt
2-20-2015, 4:54 pm
Martin only played about 110 games last year. Hurdle rested him a lot. By comparison, Cervelli has never played more than 93 and that was 5 years ago.
I don't know, Steel. I think the catching situation could be fluid. Which sucks cause that will affect the pitching as well.
Steelkings
2-20-2015, 5:41 pm
@bpn Yeah, Notice that IF i wrote in my last comment was mighty big.
J.R.
2-21-2015, 11:18 am
Thanks for these incisive comments, bpn8pitt. Definitely seems like a nice guy. But I have some close friends who are huge Yanks fans and followed him every day. The same people were upset about losing Russ, but couldn't care less about Cervelli. For what it's worth, I think this is a major, major step down that isn't getting quite as much attention as is merited when everybody says how good this team will be this year.
JC Steel
2-20-2015, 2:46 pm
That swing of his looks really sweeeeet. I would LOVE to see what kind of numbers he can put up in DK's referenced 120-130 games...
Everyone that I've ever heard, both in English and Spanish, pronounces it that way. But his father immigrated to Venezuela from Italy so it wouldn't suprise me if Francisco pronounced it the Italian way. DK, did you just assume that, or do you know he pronounces it like an Italian?
Theshutlocks629
2-20-2015, 3:00 pm
Love it. What a soft spoken guy. I think we may be pleasantly surprised with his game.
February 20, 2015
Interview: Francisco Cervelli, Pirates
by Dejan Kovacevic • Videos • Pirates
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
BRADENTON, Fla. — Francisco Cervelli is not Russell Martin, but he is the Pirates’ new catcher, and in the earliest going of spring training, he’s already shown an energy, an enthusiasm to support the notion that he’s at least up to the mental challenge of replacing such a popular player.
“He’s going to be fine,” Manny Sanguillen, the franchise’s only two-time champion behind the plate, was telling me this morning. “He knows this is his chance. He’s the No. 1 catcher in Pittsburgh. Not anybody else. All he needs to be is himself.”
Cervelli and Sanguillen have been almost inseparable since arriving at Pirate City.
I spoke with Cervelli today after the second day of workouts.