Pittsburgh Pirates Player Music Choices

Today's edition of my MLB Player Music Special belongs to one of the oldest teams in existence, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Founded in 1891, they were one of the most beloved and successful teams of the era starting out, but have failed to generate anything exciting in the Burgh, failing to make the playoffs for 20 years until last year, when they made it to the postseason and reignited fan interest that had been dormant for quite some time. With a cavalcade of players including Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker, the Pirates are looking to build upon the success that they achieved last year. Here is what some of the players are moving and grooving to on their playlists:

Andrew McCutchen: TNIGHT - Higher Ground

The dreadlock shone outfielder has this eclectic track as his walk up song of choice. Buoyed with outstanding offensive skills and a stretched out arm that can grab fast falling baseballs with remarkable accuracy, McCutch has generated an intense amount of buzz and excitement in the area with his laid back and relaxed demeanor giving the Pirates a fighting chance each and every night at PNC Park.

Clint Barmes: Journey - Don't Stop Believing

The dynamic shortstop has this somewhat of a cliche music choice as his walk up song. The former Rockie has reasonable skills as a defender, jumping at every baseball that is hit in his general direction to knock out down and generate a positive result in the form of an out. His offensive skills are continually improving at the very moment, and is looking to contribute in any way he can for the upcoming season.

Jason Grilli: Pearl Jam - Whipping

The dynamic closer known as "The Grill" chose this Pearl jam track as his entrance song. The team has had a revolving door of closers the last few years and had a reliable one in the form of Joel Hanarahan before he went to the Red Sox before suffering a season ending injury there. The new closer Grilli has generated some serious shut down skills and has kept his team in the thrill of victory multiple times night in and night out.

Mark Melancon: AC/DC - Thunderstruck

The former Red Sox setup man has this blaring AC/DC track as his entrance music. Mark has had some rough times in his career to say the least, usually bearing the brunt of his mistakes due to pitch locations being left too far out in front of the plate, but has slowly started to repair his deficiencies that has helped avoid being pulled out of the game too quickly and remaining in to help his team's cause.

Neil Walker: Wiz Khalifa - Work Hard, Play Hard

Pittsburgh's native son has this track from the hometown rapper behind the song "Black and Yellow". The popular second baseman has risen to the top of the game with his unique defensive skills on display each night, while also showing incredible plate discipline along with some outstanding offensive power that helped his team win 94 games last year en route to a postseason berth.

Pedro Alvarez: The Notorious BIG - Juicy

The third baseman has this excellent 90's throwback hip-hop track as his walk up song. With sharp defensive skills and clutch hits spread about here and there have made Pedro a hot commodity in the Steel City, and has a remarkable poise to him that allows him to adapt to anything thrown his way, making him a jack of all trades in the process.

Travis Snider: Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

The former Blue Jay has some serious grunge flavor to add with one of the most influential songs of the 90's right here. Snider has been up and down the last few years, have spurts of progress here and there, but has started to right the ship and sharpen up his game a bit with improved defensive capabilities and sharp increases in offensive numbers that has made me a clutch player that can be depended on when the opportunity arises.

I have yet to visit the city of Pittsburgh, but I plan on stopping by sometime in the near future and attend a ball game at PNC Park. This city definitely has a special magic with its historical roots in baseball and the steel industry, and I look forward to seeing what the city by the Three Rivers has to offer me.