FanPost

Where has Steve Pearce's power gone?

I have been wondering this for a while, but what has happened to Steve Pearce's power? Did it leave? Did someone steal it from him while he was sleeping? Ever since Pearce hit 31 HRs during his fabulous 2007 season in the minors, in which he was named Minor League Player of the Year, his power has vanished. Frankly, his whole offensive game has vanished. He hasn't done anything in any of his late season call-ups the last two years, and his offense has slowly gone downhill. This year, he has a decent average currently at .277, and that's pretty good considering his terrible start in Triple-A Indianapolis, but the once minor league slugger only has 6 HRs so far this season, a far cry from the power outburst he showed just two season ago. Now, everybody believes that Pearce will get the call-up to take over 1B the second half of the season once Adam LaRoche is traded, and that's probably exactly what will happen. Is this Pearce's final chance to show the organization that he belongs before the Pirates move on? I know he's still young (26), but he has had two or three stints with the big club in the last two seasons and, as I said earlier, hasn't done aything. Also, I wouldn't think it's a good sign for a guy who has significantly regressed each season since his 2007 Minor League Player of the Year if he comes up again and lays yet another egg with the big club. Pearce's ticket to the bigs is his offensive and his power. If he doesn't start regaining the power stroke and start hitting with more consistency, do the Pirates move on from this guy?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editors or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.