While I was watching Saturday night’s game between the Pirates and Mets, I couldn’t help but think that the events of that game were a microcosm of the outfield situation going forward in Pittsburgh.
You had Starling Marte going 3-for-5 with his 20th home run of the season. Bryan Reynolds went 4-for-4, raising his average to .333, and hitting his 22nd double of the season.
Marte is under team control through the 2021 season, while Reynolds will have six more years of team control beyond this season. The Pirates have two-thirds of their outfield locked down, and the performances that evening were just a reminder of that.
Then there was the third outfield spot. It started off with Jose Osuna getting the start. He was replaced by Pablo Reyes, who was replaced by Melky Cabrera. The combo went 0-for-4 with two walks, with Osuna having the two walks.
The Pirates hope that won’t be a microcosm for their third outfield spot going forward. And yet, after the trade of Corey Dickerson last week, the question of their third outfield spot is now an important thing to focus on.
You knew that Dickerson was a free agent at the end of this season. I don’t know how many times I wrote that the Pirates needed someone like Bryan Reynolds to step up and provide a replacement for Dickerson. Reynolds did just that. The problem is that Gregory Polanco became more of a question mark.
Polanco has dealt with injuries constantly throughout his career. This year he’s had the injuries, plus poor performance. He had the injuries last year, but was hitting well when he was healthy. The fact that the injuries stuck around, and the hitting went back to being very inconsistent, puts his outfield spot in question.
The Pirates will almost certainly give Polanco the job next year to start the season. He’s making $8 M guaranteed, and $11 M the following year, so they have every reason to give him continued chances to show that this year is the fluke.
But the Pirates can’t go into the 2020 season with Polanco as their only option for that third spot. We’ve seen an extreme version this year of why depth is important. They need to know they’ve got four starters in the outfield, in case Polanco gets injured and/or struggles, and in case Reynolds has a sophomore slump.
At this point, the only options the Pirates can use are internal options. I think that Jose Osuna has definitely earned a shot at being a challenger for Polanco’s job, or at least getting a guaranteed bench job as the top backup. He’s not going to provide much defensive value, but if he continues hitting like he’s been hitting this year, he won’t need a lot of defensive value to warrant being a starter in right field.
My main concern with the current numbers is a 26.9% HR/FB ratio, which is much higher than any other number in Osuna’s career, including a 12.5% rate in Triple-A this season. If the power numbers drop, Osuna might be in a position where the defense could detract from his value. I could see him still being a starter option, but a guy you’d want to try and improve upon and move to the bench if you’re trying to contend. Basically, what Adam Frazier is to second base right now, Osuna could be for right field.
Neal Huntington caught a lot of heat for suggesting that Pablo Reyes could get a look at the outfield spot. The truth is, that’s not a bad idea for the final two months, and it’s not unwarranted. Reyes was horrible at the start of the season, but then he went down to Triple-A and hit for a .286/.342/.543 line in 175 at-bats, with ten homers.
Reyes got his bench job at the start of the year by putting up impressive numbers in September last year. He got back to the majors this year by putting up impressive numbers in Triple-A. Yes, he’s not guaranteed to turn things around in the majors, but you still need to do due diligence.
We don’t have to go back far in this article to find an example of a guy who had success after being sent down to Triple-A. Adam Frazier had the exact same situation as Reyes last year. He entered the season a lock for the bench, but struggled and was sent down. He returned in the second half and put up impressive numbers, which he used to win a starting job.
Maybe the same will happen with Reyes, and he will move into that competition for the fourth outfield role, and a backup option for Polanco. Maybe he won’t work out, and all the Pirates will lose in confirming that would be a few pointless games in a lost season.
This is the time to figure out what you’ve got internally. It’s why Jason Martin should also be up in the majors getting time in the final two months, and why the Pirates shouldn’t worry about getting Polanco back this year. The best thing Polanco can do is finally try to get and stay healthy. In the mean time, give the other internal guys a shot to get a better idea of what kind of depth you have going into next year.
And if that doesn’t work, well, Corey Dickerson is still a free agent at the end of the year.
PLAYOFF PUSH
Indianapolis has 28 games left. They trail by eight games in the division and 6.5 games in the wild card.
Altoona has 28 games left. They trail by 13.5 in the division.
Bradenton has 29 games left. They trail by 6.5 games in the division.
Greensboro has 28 games left. They trail by five in the division and 1.5 for the second best record, which could possibly get them a playoff spot.
Morgantown has 28 games left. They trail by 3.5 games in the division and 2.5 games in the wild card spot.
Bristol has 24 games left. They trail by 4.5 in the division and they’re 2.5 out of the second playoff spot.
GCL Pirates have 24 games left. They trail by 8.5 in the division.
DSL Pirates1 have 18 games left. They trail by 18 in the division.
DSL Pirates2 have clinched a playoff spot
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
Today’s Starter and Notes: The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 13-2 to the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon. The Pirates now face the Milwaukee Brewers for three games at PNC Park. Dario Agrazal gets the ball in the series opener, making his eighth big league start. He has allowed eight runs over nine innings in his last two starts combined. Agrazal faced Milwaukee on July 6th and gave up two runs over six innings. The Brewers are countering with Jordan Lyles, who needs no introduction. This will be his second start with Milwaukee since being acquired from the Pirates. He gave up one run over five innings against the Oakland A’s in his debut.
The minor league schedule includes two doubleheaders and an off-day for Indianapolis. Bradenton plays a doubleheader today. The Marauders don’t have a starter listed for either game (they do, but it’s Max Kranick and he’s not starting). Should be Osvaldo Bido in one game and possibly Conner Loeprich, or just an old fashioned bullpen game(s). Nicholas Economos makes his third start for Altoona. After posting a 2.01 ERA in 11 starts with Bradenton, he has allowed nine runs over nine innings in his first two Double-A starts combined. Braxton Ashcraft will start for Morgantown. He gave up two runs over six innings in his last start, which has been his best outing of the season so far.
Steven Jennings starts for Greensboro. He had a 5.20 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in July after posting a 2.08 ERA and an 0.97 WHIP in June. Bristol’s Dante Mendoza had a 3.60 ERA in his first five starts combined, before allowing a total of 12 runs over 4.2 innings in his last two outings. The GCL Pirates have a doubleheader today. First round pick Quinn Priester should get one of the starts, as he has been pitching every Monday. He has a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings, with a 1.15 WHIP and 24 strikeouts.
MLB: Pittsburgh (48-63) vs Brewers (57-56) 7:05 PM
Probable starter: Dario Agrazal (3.65 ERA, 18:10 SO/BB, 37.0 IP)
AAA: Indianapolis (56-56) @ Norfolk (44-68) 7:05 PM 8/6 (season preview)
Probable starter: James Marvel (2.12 ERA, 30:10 SO/BB, 29.2 IP)
AA: Altoona (55-57) vs Richmond (41-69) 6:30 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Nicholas Economos (9.00 ERA, 8:4 SO/BB, 9.0 IP)
High-A: Bradenton (60-49) @ Charlotte (66-44) 5:00 PM DH (season preview)
Probable starter: TBD
Low-A: Greensboro (67-44) @ Greenville (48-64) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Steven Jennings (5.04 ERA, 88:34 SO/BB, 100.0 IP)
Short-Season A: Morgantown (24-23) @ Mahoning Valley (22-27) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Braxton Ashcraft (5.95 ERA, 31:15 SO/BB, 39.1 IP)
Rookie: Bristol (20-23) @ Danville (18-27) 6:30 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Dante Mendoza (7.30 ERA, 27:17 SO/BB, 24.2 IP)
GCL: Pirates (12-20) vs Twins (17-14) 10:00 AM DH (season preview)
DSL: Pirates1 (25-29) vs Indians (21-30) 10:30 AM (season preview)
DSL: Pirates2 (44-10) vs Giants (22-31) 10:30 AM (season preview)
HIGHLIGHTS
From Indianapolis on Saturday, the third Triple-A home run from Hunter Owen, who hit 15 homers with Altoona
Let the kids play.
In three games between Thursday and Saturday, Ke’Bryan Hayes reached base ten times. Here’s a hard hit single from Saturday night
Young Hayes, stung.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
8/4: Blake Weiman placed on Indianapolis injured list.
8/3: Pirates claim Yacksel Rios.
8/3: Richard Rodriguez placed on paternity list. Pirates recall Parker Markel.
8/2: Pirates Designate Jung-Ho Kang for assignment. Recall Pablo Reyes. Activate Erik Gonzalez from injured list.
8/2: Nick Mears activated from Bradenton injured list. Ryan Valdes placed on Bradenton injured list.
8/1: Blake Weiman activated from Indianapolis injured list.
8/1: Austin Coley placed on Altoona injured list.
7/31: Pirates trade Corey Dickerson to Phillies for a player to be named later and international bonus slot money.
7/30: Oneil Cruz promoted to Altoona. Jerrick Suiter activated from injured list. Bralin Jackson placed on injured list. Gift Ngoepe released.
7/30: Pirates recall Geoff Hartlieb and Yefry Ramirez. Montana DuRapau and Alex McRae optioned to Indianapolis.
7/30: Elvis Escobar assigned to Morgantown on rehab.
7/30: Daniel Amaral activated from Bradenton injured list.
7/29: Jordan Lyles traded to Milwaukee Brewers for Cody Ponce. Montana DuRapau recalled from Indianapolis.
7/28: Darnell Sweeney assigned to Altoona. Alfredo Reyes assigned to Greensboro.
7/27: Pirates claim Parker Markel off waivers from Seattle Mariners.
7/27: Kyle Mottice placed on Greensboro injured list. Michael Gretler activated from injured list.
7/27: Angel German activated from suspended list.
7/27: Daniel Amaral sent to GCL Pirates on rehab.
7/27: Tyler Lyons returns to Indianapolis from paternity list.
7/26: Pirates sign Lewys Guzman, Jose Vasquez, Pedro Figuereo, Juan Santos
7/26: Osvaldo Bido promoted to Bradenton. Noe Toribio promoted to Greensboro. Trey McGough promoted to Morgantown. Lizardy Dicent assigned to Bristol on rehab.
7/25: Pirates recall Alex McRae. Luis Escobar optioned to Indianapolis.
7/25: Will Kobos promoted to Greensboro.
THIS DATE IN PIRATES HISTORY
Four former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, plus a trade of note and a first in baseball history that involved the Pirates. First the trade and on this date in 1980, the Pirates sent two minor leaguers to the San Diego Padres for infielder Kurt Bevacqua and pitcher Mark Lee. The Pirates got 25.1 innings out of Lee and 51 games from Bevacqua, but they gave up Luis Salazar, who ended up spending 13 years and 1,302 games in the majors.
The players born on this date include 2009 outfielder Eric Hinske, 2007 pitcher John Wasdin, 1980 pinch-hitter Bernie Carbo and 1971-73 pitcher Nelson Briles, who threw a complete game shutout over the Orioles in game five of the 1971 World Series. He won 36 games in his three years with the Pirates and had a 2.98 ERA. After the 1973 season, Briles was traded to the Royals in a deal that included Kurt Bevacqua making his first trip to Pittsburgh.
On this date in 1921, Harold Arlin announced the first broadcast of a baseball game over the radio. On KDKA, he called the 8-5 win by the Pirates over the Phillies at Forbes Field. The game lasted 1:57 and the Pirates went down 4-2 early, before reliever Jimmy Zinn came in and allowed one unearned run over six innings for the win. Philadelphia’s Cy Williams hit the only home run that day and Pirates’ right fielder Possum Whitted scored three runs. You can view the boxscore here.
