POSITION BATTLES Fifth starter

Post-Gazette baseball writer

Nubyjas Wilborn breaks down the roster

— and starting — spots in play in Bradenton, Fla.:

By the time the sun rises Tuesday, Pirates pitchers and catchers will have reported to spring training in Bradenton, Fla.

The Pirates are hoping to improve on their 82-79 record from 2018. If that is to happen, several players will have to step up. Spring games don’t count, but a good showing by certain players will matter.

“We are competitors,” Clint Hurdle told the Pittsburgh PostGazette. “Every day and every year, all of us in baseball are battling for a spot. It’s what we do. If you’re going to have a winning organization, there has to competition. It’s always exciting to see who will take the next step.”

Chris Archer, Jameson Taillon, Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove at the top of the rotation appears to be a strength for the

Pirates; they have a chance to compete, assuming each of them performs well.

Jordan Lyles is the early favorite to win the battle for the fifth spot. Lyles, 28, started the

2018 season with the San Diego Padres and was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. With the Padres, he was 2-4 with a 4.29 ERA.

Lyles improved with the Brewers. This Hartsville, S.C., native was 1-0 and pitched 162⁄3 innings in 11 appearances. Lyles gave up 12 hits, 6 runs and threw 22 strikeouts.

General manager Neal Huntington believes that the change Lyles made in his delivery will translate to success with the

Pirates.

“Lyles made a great adjustment to his pitch sequencing out of the ’pen for Milwaukee last year,” Huntington said. “We believe that he can replicate that in a starter’s role.

Lyles will be given every opportunity to win the spot.”

Nick Kingham and Steven Brault will battle Lyles for the job. Kingham, 27, had a 5.21

ERA over 76 innings with the Pirates in 2018.

Brault posted a 4.61 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 912 ⁄ innings in 45 appearances.

Brault isn’t a stranger to competition. He was up against Trevor Williams in 2017 for the fifth-starter spot. Brault competed for the same slot last spring.

“It’s kind of normal for me at this point,” Brault said. “I haven’t been in a spring camp yet where I haven’t been in competition. To be honest, I don’t really know what it feels like not do that.”

Shortstop

— Steven Brault

Erik Gonzalez comes to the Pirates from the Cleveland Indians. Gonzalez had 136 big-league at-bats in 81 games. He posted a slash line of .265/.301/.375. Gonzalez will compete against Kevin Newman for the starting shortstop position.

Newman had a slash line of .209/.247/.231 in 32 games for the Pirates in 2018. Each of them has a lot to prove during camp. Gonzalez didn’t play much with the Indians because of the man in front of him — Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor is one of the best players in baseball. Gonzalez wants to seize the opportunity to play daily in Pittsburgh.

“I am thankful for the Indians because they gave me an opportunity to sign and gave me an opportunity in the big leagues,” Gonzalez said. “But I need to play baseball. That’s why I am in the big leagues because I want to play baseball. My passion for the game is rekindled by being here. I’m happy.”

Newman played behind Jordy Mercer last season. Huntington is looking forward to the competition.

“We like Erik Gonzalez and Kevin Newman, and we like what we feel is the level they can produce at in comparison to what else is truly out there,” Huntington said. “We recognize they don’t have the backs of the baseball cards that some of the available free agents do. But they each bring skills and tools and attributes that give us confidence they can each be a quality big-league shortstop. They will battle it out in the spring.”

Third base

Colin Moran held down third base for the Pirates last season. Moran hit .277 with 11 home runs and drove in 58 runs. The 6-foot-4 infielder also had a .340 on-base percentage, .407 slugging and .747 OPS. Moran was solid in his first full season as a big leaguer.

But Jung Ho Kang, pictured above, is back, and the 31-year-old is aiming to be the everyday third baseman.

Kang hasn’t played in two seasons due to a combination of injuries and legal issues. The South Korean confirmed through an interpreter that he has his work visa and is ready to compete.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to play with the Pirates,” Kang said through an interpreter. “I have a rare chance to make things right. I’m ready for the challenge.”

If both players perform well in spring, the Pirates will have a tough choice, but it could provide a lot of versatility.

I haven’t been in a spring camp yet where I haven’t been in competition. … I don’t really know what it feels like not to do that.”