There could be a better team playing beneath the rubble the Pirates have been sending to the plate.

Click here for a chart showing the league averages for each position through Sunday, followed by the Pirates' numbers at that spot.

Each Pirates player is placed where he has played his most games. On-base average plus slugging average (OPS) is the measure of the player's offensive production.

The good news is there is only one position (second base) where the Pirates don't have at least one player outproducing the league average. But the best guy isn't always playing.

I've ranked the positions according to how well the Pirates do against their peers.

The higher the OPS differential between the Pirate with the most ABs and the league average, the higher that position on the list. (The player's career OPS is in parentheses.)

As you go through the list, from best to worst, ask yourself: Is the right man getting the most work?

The Pirates don't have much to worry about at shortstop, right field, left field, catcher or first base. The Wilsons may fade some, but they'll remain above-average players. Bay would need to play even if his numbers weren't this good. Kendall may keel over if he doesn't get rest, but he currently leads all catchers and leadoff hitters in OBA. (His .416 as a leadoff hitter is best among those with at least 150 plate appearances.) Ward would have to go 0 for 218 for his slugging average to drop below Simon's.

That leaves third base, second base and center field. Mackowiak has a bad glove at third, but he's a better-than-average hitter at that spot and in center. Hill has been better than most second basemen and third basemen at getting on base, but his range is poor at second and he does not have the power of most second basemen, much less third basemen. Castillo could grow as a hitter, but probably not this year. So here's the most timely question:

Why have Simon and Redman been to the plate more than Mateo this month? Simon, Redman and Stynes are the league's worst hitters at their positions. Mateo, 26, has done well in limited play after pounding the ball in Nashville. Why not give him a real shot?