Projected batting order Kenny Lofton, CF Jason Kendall, C Brian Giles, LF Aramis Ramirez, 3B Reggie Sanders, RF Randall Simon, 1B Pokey Reese, 2B Jack Wilson, SS Rotation Kris Benson, RHP Kip Wells, RHP Josh Fogg, RHP Jeff Suppan, RHP Brian Meadows, RHP Bench Craig Wilson, OF Rob Mackowiak, OF Abraham Nunez, INF Adam Hyzdu, OF Matt Stairs, OF Kevin Young, 1B Bullpen Mike Williams, RHP (CL) Scott Sauerbeck, LHP Mike Lincoln, RHP Brian Boehringer, RHP Matt Herges, RHP Joe Beimel, LHP Complete Pirates roster  ESPN's Take Q: Can Kip Wells and Josh Fogg be effective at the top of the rotation? Kip Wells and Josh Fogg will get some help from Jeff D'Amico, Jeff Suppan and a healthy Kris Benson. With Brian Giles, Jason Kendall, Aramis Ramirez, Randall Simon and Kenny Lofton, the Pirates might surprise everyone. If skipper Lloyd McClendon can keep this team focused and healthy, they could finish as high as second in the division. They're a fun team with a good manager so there's a lot to look forward to in the Steeltown. -- Rob Dibble Fantasy owners who drafted Craig Wilson were angry that former Giants Reggie Sanders and Kenny Lofton were signed. Who's next, Marvin Benard? All Wilson did was hit 16 homers in fewer than 400 at-bats. We're betting that Wilson will get at-bats due to the injuries of others, and still provide you with some power. The final numbers weren't attractive, but remember, Kris Benson was coming off a major surgery to his arm. Now, a year later, expect him to return to his previous numbers, maybe even improve on them. Benson's a reason why you should look beyond last year's stats. -- Eric Karabell Bryan Bullington, RHP Selected by the Pirates as the first overall pick in the 2002 draft. Bullington dominated college hitters at Ball State, going 11-3 with a 2.84 ERA. He had 137 strikeouts in 105 innings pitched. He throws a 95-mph fastball and a sharp slider. The Pirates finally signed him in late October for $4 million.

Manager: Lloyd McClendon  Home: PNC Park (38,365)  '02 record: 72-89  Team page | Schedule | Offseason moves

Catcher: Jason Kendall Maybe it was the pressure of a 6-year $60 million contract, but Kendall matched a career low with three home runs last season. He is still bothered by a left thumb injury that required reconstructive surgery after the 2001 season. The stolen bases have also decreased since his severe ankle injury in 1999. He needs to get back to spraying line drives all over the field. First Base: Randall Simon After being given a chance to play by the Tigers, Simon excelled with 19 HR, 82 RBI and hit .301. The 27-year-old will swing at almost anything thrown at him. He managed only 13 walks, but only had 30 whiffs. Expect Simon to sit against lefties, providing an opportunity for Kevin Young to play. Second Base: Pokey Reese Reese found out how many times you can get traded when you underachieve. He was traded from Cincinnati to Colorado to Boston. When the Sox didn't offer a contract, Reese ended up in Pittsburgh. He hit .285 after the break, but is far removed from his 38 SB, 10-HR season with the Reds in 1999. Third Base: Aramis Ramirez Found out that charging the mound can hurt. After hitting .300, 34 HR and 112 RBI in 2001, Ramirez was hitting .347 on April 17 when he charged the mound on Milwaukee's Ben Sheets. In the pile up Ramirez suffered a sprained ankle and never recovered from it. No more fighting means a return to 35 HR and protection for Brian Giles. Shortstop: Jack Wilson Started 135 games last season and finished second on the team in runs behind Giles with 77. Known more for his defense, Wilson made just one error in his final 47 games. Pirates hope he can improve on his .252 average. Left Field: Brian Giles Never gets the respect he deserves for being one of the game's elite players. Giles ranked second in the NL in BB, SLG, OPS and OBP. He has averaged .302, 36 HR and 106 RBI over the last five seasons. Not bad considering he may be the only real threat in the lineup. At $7 million a season, is considered a bargain. Center Field: Kenny Lofton Finally found a team to play for two weeks before the season. Lofton, 35, of the Indians he is not. The Pirates can live with the Lofton of the Giants. Had the game-winning hit in Game 5 of the NLCS, sending them to the World Series. He will bat leadoff and hope to give Giles more RBI opportunities. Right Field: Reggie Sanders Joins his NL champion teammate Lofton in the outfield. Sanders' numbers -- 23 HR, 85 RBI -- are solid, but he needs to improve on the .250 average. Sanders had a solid spring, but may find the right field power alleys difficult to conquer in PNC Park. The Pirates hope his winning experiences with the D-Backs and Giants will rub off. No. 1 Starter: Kris Benson After missing all of 2001 with reconstructive elbow surgery, Benson got hammered in his first four starts last season (0-4, 7.79 ERA). He finished the season strong, going 9-2 3.57 the rest of the way. He throws a mid 90s fastball, a sharp-breaking slider, a curveball and a changeup. Can he be the ace the Pirates have been waiting for? No. 2 Starter: Kip Wells Finished with the best ERA of any Pirates' starting pitcher. Still, Wells wound up with a losing record, as Pittsburgh scored three or fewer runs in 16 of his 33 starts. He didn't win after August 24, and went 6-12 in his last 24 starts despite a fine 3.47 ERA. He has a mid 90s fastball, and produces groundballs with his sinker. No. 3 Starter: Josh Fogg Began last season looking like a serious Rookie of the Year candidate, but then lost it, going 1-5 with a 5.22 ERA in his last nine starts, finishing 12-14. He throws a low 90s fastball, but the sinker is his best pitch. The Pirates are confident that the strengthening program they put him on in the offseason will help his stamina. No. 4 Starter: Jeff Suppan The former Royals ace had one of the worst seasons of his career, going 9-16 with a 5.32 ERA. Suppan throws a low 90s fastball and mixes in an occasional slider or changeup. He doesn't strike out anyone and gives up big fly balls. His 32 home runs allowed were tied for fourth most in the league. Bullpen: Scott Sauerbeck, Mike Lincoln, Brian Boehringer, Matt Herges The Pittsburgh bullpen was pretty average, finishing seventh in the NL in ERA. The goal is to turn leads over to closer Mike Williams. Sauerbeck is a lefty workhorse who posted a 1.88 ERA last season. Lincoln throws a mid 90s fastball and can be tough on hitters seeing him once in a game. Boehringer set a career high by pitching in 70 games, but struggled after the break. The pen can use more consistency. Closer: Mike Williams Established himself as one of the premier closers in 2002. Williams' 46 saves was a Pirates record and the most ever by a player on a losing team. He doesn't overpower hitters like most closers, but has mastered a slider which he throws with a curveball grip.

-- Matt Pike, ESPN The Magazine

Record: 72-89 | Finish: 4th in NL Central | Results | Statistics: Batting | Pitching Offense (NL rank) Defense (NL rank) 641 runs (15th) Home: 330 (12th) Road: 311 (15th) 730 runs allowed (10th) Home: 389 (13th) Road: 341 (4th) 2002 Stats Leaders   Average: Brian Giles, .298 Runs: Giles, 95 On-base pct: Giles, .450 Stolen bases: Giles/Jason Kendall, 15 Wins:Kip Wells/Josh Fogg, 12 Saves: Mike Williams, 46 Home runs: Giles, 38 RBI: Giles, 103 Slugging pct.: Giles, .622 OPS: Giles, 1.072 ERA: Wells, 3.58 Strikeouts: Wells, 134