Over at Bucs Dugout, I write about Pirates bench candidates Matt Hague and Josh Harrison, who have captured Pirates fans' attention with strong performances this spring, to the point that some are even calling for them to start. (Hague is hitting .429/429/.750 with three homers in 28 at bats, while Harrison is batting .579/.636/1.000 in 19 at bats.)
↵Both have some chance of becoming useful players, but the amount of attention being paid to them this spring is out of proportion. Spring Training performances don't usually mean much of anything, especially given the small sample sizes involved. And both have serious limitations. Hague isn't young and doesn't have the power typically associated with the first base position, and doesn't have much defensive versatility. Harrison isn't a particularly good fielder, can't take a walk and doesn't have much power.
↵Stranger things have happened, but these guys aren't likely to be good starters in the majors. As in the case of Starling Marte, Pirates fans would do well to temper their expectations despite these players' strong spring performances.