PITTSBURGH — Since the beginning of the season, the Pirates have been experimenting with a new outfield alignment that involves a shallower positioning across the board — and dramatically so for center fielder Andrew McCutchen.
The danger in that was shown by Jason Heyward’s fourth-inning triple over McCutchen’s head Friday night.
But despite the occasional hiccup, the Pirates believe the change has been successful, especially when it comes to McCutchen’s play in center field.
“I think bringing them in has freed them all up a little bit,” Clint Hurdle said. “I think it’s helped McCutchen’s arm play a little bit better. He’s never thrown the ball better. I know that everyone is looking at different numbers, but for me, he’s never played a better center field than he has this year.”
His UZR/150 for the 2016 is -10.8 compared to a career figure of -4.9. That statistic can take a long time to normalize, though, and extreme shifts in positioning can confuse it at times, as well. So the jury is still out on his overall play. But one thing that the statistics do support is the contention that the positioning has helped his arm. His Outfield Arm Runs Saved is dead average for 2016, compared to a -6 mark for his career.
What’s been a bit surprising is that the Pirates’ shift to shallower defenders has bucked the MLB trend.
“I think we were one of three teams that moved the outfield in,” Hurdle said. “Most of them pushed them back. The numbers that we’re pulling in all the time have shown us that the two-seam fastball we’re throwing and the type of staff we have, fly balls don’t go as far and more ground balls get through. We’ve done a much better job of closing people off, not giving up first to thirds and things like that.”
POLANCO OUT
Right fielder Gregory Polanco will not start after leaving the game Friday night with left hamstring tightness.
“He’s no more injured now than when he was initially,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “I think it aggravates itself like last night towards the end. I think what we’re figuring out now is the next best course of action.”
Hurdle called Polanco’s availability to come off the bench “sketchy” and that Polanco will likely not start in the first-half finale Sunday afternoon, either.
PARTAY BACK ON
After coming in second to Brandon Belt in the National League All-Star final vote on Friday, Starling Marte had a turn of fortune Saturday, as he was selected to replaced injured New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes in the Midsummer Classic.
“(It was a) crazy 24 hours,” Marte said. “There was definitely a moment when a I just lost hope. I was like, ‘OK. It’s not going to happen.’ It’s unfortunate that Cespedes got injured. You never praise that and I hope that he has a really quick recovery. But I’m going to the All-Star Game. I’m excited This is something that I’ve really worked hard to build toward. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.”
While the selection may have been delayed, it certainly was justified. Marte has been one of the Pirates’ most-productive players all season, and his value has come from all phases of the game. Offensively, he leads the team in hits (97) and batting average (.316). He’s also 27 stolen bases, which is second in the majors. Defensively, he is tied for second in the NL with nine outfield assists. Combined, his 3.0 WAR is by far the highest on the team.
CERVELLI SWINGING
Catcher Francisco Cervelli took his second outdoor batting practice Saturday afternoon. He’s been working out in the batting cages, as well, and the only step he has left before he can return to game action is to face live pitching, something he expects to happen soon.
“It was better today,” he said. “I think with the time, I’m going to feel less and less. Right now, I think I’m ready to play. … I gotta wait for my boss.”
The boss — Hurdle — said that after the All-Star break, Cervelli should be able to being a rehab assignment “sooner rather than later.”
“I’m encouraged by the way he’s swinging the bat,” Hurdle added. “I saw some aggressive swing. … He’s in a good place right now.”
Hurdle’s confidence is a good thing in Cervelli’s book, because he’s chomping at the bit to get back out on the field.
“I just want to go back and play and help my team,” he sad. “I’ll figure (the rest) out later. I want to give everything I have because we have a mission, man, and I can’t let my teammates down.”
ROTATION RETURNS
In addition to Gerrit Cole and Ryan Vogelsong, who are making rehab starts Sunday, Jameson Taillon is also feeling good about a second-half return to the pitching staff.
“I’m throwing a side session (Sunday) and I’m long-tossing,” he said. “It feels really, really crisp. I’m actually really excited for the second half. I’m really encouraged.”
