| Heading into the 2009 season, views on Nate | | | | .277 Avg, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 10 Runs, and 2 stolen |
| McLouth were split. Some said his numbers would | | | | bases. |
| decline this year while others insisted he would put | | | | Very solid, and his line illustrates that his power is |
| up more of the same, if not better. The doubters | | | | most definitely still there. He hit 26 homeruns last |
| believed that with Jason Bay leaving for a better | | | | season, and swiped 23 bases, so everything |
| offense in Boston, McLouth would have to single | | | | seems to be following those projections to at |
| handedly support the Pirates in all things hitting. | | | | least match last year's totals. |
| The believers said he is the real deal, a genuine | | | | The general concern was that McLouth would |
| quality hitting outfielder. | | | | have to shoulder all the weight in the Pirates |
| The days of the off season have come and | | | | offense once Jason Bay left and he would |
| gone, and we are officially over two weeks into | | | | struggle under the pressure. This has not been |
| the season. The early season already has an | | | | the case as surprise players such as Nyjer |
| abundance of surprises and head turning | | | | Morgan have emerged to contribute in the Pirate |
| moments, one being the play so far by the | | | | lineup. Morgan is hitting over .300 currently, and |
| Pittsburgh Pirates. They have been surprisingly | | | | has already stolen 4 bags, setting the table for |
| solid in both pitching and hitting. McLouth was the | | | | McLouth. If the rest of the Pirate offense, Morgan |
| lone Pirate in the batting order that drew any | | | | included, can continue to keep producing, the |
| attention coming into the year, and he has made | | | | pressure is greatly reduced off McLouth, and we |
| those who believed look accurate thus far. | | | | can all expect him to put up some very big |
| Through 13 games in 2009, McLouth's stats are | | | | fantasy numbers. |
| as follows: | | | | |