Tike Redman

In one of the ominous signs of things to come for the Pirates in 2005, GM David Littlefield crunched countless computer numbers together and decided to bat Redman third in the lineup in the season opener. That ill-fated experiment lasted all of five games, when Redman collected just two hits in 14 at-bats from the three-hole. Better suited as bottom-of-the-lineup hitter, Redman hit .375 from the No. 7 spot. Overall, he hit just .251 with four steals. His lack of instincts prevent him from being an everyday outfielder, and a big-time base stealer. He stole 18 bags for the Bucs in 2004, but as a backup with the Mets, it's doubtful that Redman will play enough to warrant fantasy consideration.

Redman, who figures to patrol center once again this season unless the Bucs decide to move Jason Bay over from left field, has good speed, but didn’t show the patience at the plate that good leadoff hitters must possess. In fact, he seems more comfortable hitting lower in the order. Redman hit .338 in 198 at-bats while batting sixth last season and just .231 as a leadoff hitter. Matt Lawton is expected to bat first in 2005, which takes some pressure off Redman. After struggling early in 2004, Redman batted .303 in his final 120 games, raising his average 61 points to .280. The Pirates hope Redman can approach the .326 average and .367 OBP he had when he seemingly came out of nowhere in 2003, but an encore of last year’s numbers seems more likely.

Redman, who was dropped off the 40-man roster last season, slid into the Bucs' center field job in August after Kenny Lofton was dealt. Instead of being the place-holder that many expected, he ended up being one of the top hitters in the majors during the last two months of the season, hitting .330 in 56 games after his promotion. Redman, who ranked second in the Pacific Coast League in stolen bases (42) despite missing the final month of the Triple-A season, also chipped in seven major league steals. He doesn't have a ton a power and don't expect such a high average from him, but Redman should start 2004 as the Pirates' everyday center fielder and could easily hit .280 and swipe 25-30 bases.

The Pirates elected to play Rob Mackowiak in center field rather than call up Redman, which is pretty damning. He's fast enough to pinch-run and play center and if he makes a team, could trip into 15 steals, although he'll do little else.