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The Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies’ Spring Training game ended in a 3-3, ending after only five innings due to rain.
Without too much to go on throughout the day, it seemed like a good time to kind of reflect on the first week of Spring Training.
One of the most notable things so far has been the display of power by the Pirates. During the 2021 season, Pittsburgh finished with the fewest home runs in the league by 20 (124 total). Not surprising, they finished last in slugging percentage as well.
Even in Spring Training they didn’t hit that many, finishing with 29 home runs in 29 games, good for 18th in the majors.
This year has been different. After Thursday’s games, the Pirates are in a tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the most home runs hit with 15. While they are scheduled to play in 11 less Spring Training games, the Pirates are still on pace to hit more home runs in 2022 than they did in 2021.
They’ve had 12 different players hit home runs already, having 17 do so in 2021.
Yes it’s a small sample size and yes it’s only Spring Training, still always fun to watch. So here’s a look back at some of the home runs hit during the first week of 2022 Spring Training for the Pirates.
#TBT to when Greg Allen hit a home run in the third. pic.twitter.com/rIfMJAIjMl
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 24, 2022
Greg Allen has been a welcome surprise this camp, especially from the power aspect. The outfielder is one of three players to have multiple home runs for the Pirates this Spring. There’s a good chance he’s put himself in position to be one of the starting outfielders come Opening Day.
Yoshi Tsutsugo home run! pic.twitter.com/MW7LBmDp3K
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 24, 2022
After signing with the Pirates towards the end of the 2021 season, Tsutsugo posted an .883 OPS and hit eight home runs in 127 at-bats. Pittsburgh brought him back and with the addition of the designated hitter in the NL, it will be even easier to fit him in the lineup on a consistent basis.
Michael Perez to the 'pen! pic.twitter.com/tNWYPbcvEM
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 23, 2022
Michael Perez’s tenure with the Pirates has been an uneasy one. He helped carry on the no passed balls streak during the season, but struggled offensively. He could very well end up the backup catcher again, even as a non-roster invite. He did hit seven home runs in 2021.
DK: “Ben wanted me to give his wife Lauren a shoutout. He’s going to be leaving after this at-bat. They’re going to have their first child.”
*two seconds later*
Gamel hits a home run
This was one of the feel-good moments of the early 2022 season. Gamel made his last at-bat of the day count, hitting a home run and then running off to meet his wife as she gave birth to their first child.
Mason Martin demolished that baseball.
If Mason Martin can find consistent contact, we will be seeing a lot of this.
Oneil Cruz crushed this home run in Port Charlotte pic.twitter.com/8hnOVTEoUn
— Jimmy T (@JimmyTrdinich) March 21, 2022
Finally, you can never see Oneil Cruz destroying a baseball too many times, so here’s another angle of one he hit.
