After a day off on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates start the final stretch of spring training games before the regular season starts on March 30 against the Cincinnati Reds.
With just a week left until the season starts, it seems like most of the roster is starting to fall into place, especially after the last round of cuts following Tuesday’s game.
One of the last puzzle pieces that need to be put together is what exactly the outfield will look like.
Two of camps biggest standouts, Canaan Smith-Njigba and Travis Swaggerty have made really strong cases to make the Major League roster. However, the numbers game, along with the fact they are both left-handed could mean one, or both, end up in Indianapolis to start the year.
Through Wednesday’s off day, the pair are tied for the team lead in both hits and runs scored, while Swaggerty’s ten RBI is also the most on the Pirates (Smith-Njigba is in a tie for second).
With the off-season additions of Connor Joe and Andrew McCutchen to try to add some balance to the roster, especially in the outfield, it makes it hard to carry both Smith-Njigba and Swaggerty.
The wildcard seems to be Jack Suwinski, who has struggled with strikeouts again this spring (18 in 39 plate appearances) but has also picked up a pair of doubles, a triple, and a home run.
Suwinski seems to walk on the edge when it comes to the strikeouts, as it doesn’t seem possible to continue to hit the way he does when he whiffs the way he does, but he continues to display enough power to keep things interesting.
Here's Derek Shelton this morning on Jack Suwinski. Don't have an issue. I'd have Jack in the big leagues, too, despite some spring struggles. Does create some interesting OF questions, specifically w/Swaggerty & Smith-Njigba. pic.twitter.com/bL39sEgOz6
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) March 20, 2023
It seems they like his body of work going back to last year is enough to at least get him a look once the regular season works.
McCutchen will probably factor in the outfield picture, at least some, but will also DH. Joe has played first base this spring, but the Pirates also brought in Ji-Man Choi and Carlos Santana to split time there as well.
It’s a crowded picture, and someone who is probably deserving to make the team could very well start in Indianapolis. The Pirates will have to get creative to get everyone at-bats, and this is something that could drag on to the very last spring game.
Pirates Prospects Daily
By John Dreker
Pirates were off yesterday. They play today at 1:05 PM at home against the Boston Red Sox. There will be TV available for this game.
**Updated 2023 MLB Draft Rankings from Baseball America
**World Baseball Classic Recap for the Pirates
**Pirates Prospects Daily: Roster Cuts Give More Clarity To Potential Opening Day Roster
**Pirates DVR: JT Brubaker, Andrew McCutchen Home Run, Oneil Cruz Catch
Song of the Day
Today’s Lineup
Afternoon game at home against the Boston Red Sox. TV game. Johan Oviedo will be doing the majority of the pitching work
Duane on the hill.
