Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Neil Walker has always had the ability to hit very well despite playing a position that is traditionally offensively challenged. The Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman began the 2012 season very slowly and dug himself into a huge hole; his numbers will not look pretty on the back of his baseball card, no matter what he does for the rest of the season.
However, there is something more important this season for Walker and the Pirates: a World Series.
There was an overall feeling around the MLB trade deadline that the best move the Pirates could make would be getting Walker back to his normal productive self, rather than selling off prospects that are absolutely vital to a small market team’s success. So far, it looks like the fans and media that hoped the Pirates would stand pat were on the correct side of the argument.
While I wanted the team to add a bat like Kendrys Morales from the Seattle Mariners, Justin Morneau from the Minnesota Twins or even Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins, I’m starting to get on board with what the Pirates did at the trade deadline — absolutely nothing.
In the first half of the season, Walker hit .244/.347/.384 with 11 doubles in 72 games. In the second half, Walker has completely turned his season around, hitting for a .317/.397/.476 line with seven doubles in just 18 games. Walker will be important for the Pirates during their hunt for postseason baseball. In Pirates wins in 2013, Walker is hitting for a .318/.419/.485 line; in losses, he’s hitting .157/.242/.261.
Zach Morrison is a Pittsburgh Pirates writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Zach_Morrison1 or add him to your network on Google
