Stallings Leads Young Backstops for Bucs
With the start of the Grapefruit League Schedule four days away, we take a look at each position group and how they shape up for the 2020 season. Russell Martin, Francisco Cervelli, Elias Diaz. These were the familiar names seen behind the plate for the Pittsburgh Pirates over the past seven years. Entering the 2020 season, these names are replaced by Jacob Stallings, Luke Malie, and John Ryan Murphy each looking to male their mark. Stallings and Maile are the front runners for the starting job with non-roster invitee Murphy looking to make his presence felt. The trio has limited major league experience but all three are known for their defensive ability and pitch farming. Stallings has the fast track to the starting job after stepping up in a big way at the end of the 2019 season. It was a career year for the 30-year old who hit .262 with six home runs and 13 RBI while appearing in a career-high 71 games. Stallings started the year in Triple-A but, due to the bombardm...