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.
📺 AT&T SportsNet#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/xjQCwedutR
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 23, 2023
Anthony began writing over 10 years ago, starting a personal blog to cover the 2011 MLB draft, where the Pirates selected first overall. After bouncing around many websites covering hockey, he refocused his attention to baseball, his first love when it comes to sports. He eventually found himself here at Pirates Prospects in late 2021, where he covers the team’s four full season minor league affiliates.
sources say Choi and Mathias heading to the Phillies for JayHay momentarily
B
Heavy stuff: https://markappel.com/posts/march-23-2023-grief-and-goodbyes
Reminds me of Tim’s best writing.
Good stuff. Thanks for sharing.
there´s another jaggoff who once said he didn´t want to play for the bucco´s
Mackey reporting Plawecki no longer has a locker at LECOM, so he may be gone.
Maybe someone stole it on him.
He does have a weak arm….
Saw Zas shaking his arm after second hitter. Proceeded to strike out the side at 93-94. Idk though? forearm strain TBA?
Hope he’s ok. He’s got to be the odds on favorite to be the primary lefty in the pen while Garcia is out. Not even for what he’s done this spring (scoreless) but for what everyone else HASN’T.
phillies in the market for a first baseman
Mackey had a good column today about simply cutting Choi because his contract is not guaranteed due to going through arbitration. A trade would be even better. Mackey’s point wasn’t that Choi isn’t meeting expectations (he is) but that they could better use that roster spot on a young player after signing Santana and Cutch. I agree even though I really liked the Choi acquisition at the time.
secret story here is that Choi is better (but more expensive) than Suwinski
Maybe at speaking Korean
have once traded for Carlos Santana
Heard that painter guy might be a good prospect to go for
To Reynolds credit, it’s been a drama-free spring with him being asked to play LF and about his trade request. He’s a drama-less guy which makes that January trade request all the more unusual. Maybe his agent leaked it and not BRey.
some people call that a pushóver
a**holes. those people are called a**holes.
local vernacular is jaggoff
some call it being a team-player
tell that to his agent
Agent’s have one goal…….they want paid.
he hasnt fired his agent so I don{t forgive the guy
sooner he is off the team the better
Makes for clarity
if you go on record saying you don´t want to be a pirate, then I want you off the team
Oviedo dealing, let’s get this guy to indy Stat. Oviedo or Ortiz or borrows > than hill and Vazquez.
Oviedo with a good looking change to K Duran.
I’m envisioning Oviedo piggybacking after VV struggles for 2-3 innings. He’d get steady work every 5th day.
Maybe this is our final Suwinski debate thread (I am kidding), but I will re-add my 2 cents. My feelings on Jack have always been that if he looked at least mediocre (check mark) in spring training then he should be on the roster. However, my biggest concern (and it is as valid as ever), is that from mid to late June of last year (including AAA), Jack was not quite the Jack we are describing as having earned a shot. He wasn’t real good in AAA and outside of his HRs (which is a good thing), he wasn’t all that good when he returned late in the year. Some of that is from the ‘eye’ test as I watched more games than normal late in the year.
So, give him a shot with a medium to short leash. I don’t buy into ‘this is Jack’ messaging and we just live with it. Yes, he may always strikeout a lot with power, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be BETTER and at some point MLB may not be the place for that improvement but I think he should start there.
Finally, no matter who makes the final roster, IMO there is only one everyday outfielder. Starting 4-5 times a week, which I think is where Jack, Cutch(mostly DH), and Joe/Swag/CSN fall is not a bad thing. Given where all of these are in proving themselves that seems about right. If the ‘5th’ outfielder is going to be CSN or Swags and that means starting once a week then please bring back Gamels and send them to AAA.
there is nothing “mediocre” about a K rate over 50%. Nothing. its awful.
It’s 46% that’s not over. But I agree it’s not mediocre but it’s spring he could be working on stuff. Gotta give him a shot and not just make moves based off of spring stats. Don’t get me wrong I want to see Swags and CSN, but Suwinski deserves the first crack.
And to repeat my comment. I think Jack and one of Swags/CSN can get a crack. I think Reynolds is the only outfielder who should be playing 7 days a week. All other outfielders, whoever they may be to start the year, all have reasons to not have claim to a full time job. It is not real hard to give the other 4 outfielders somewhat regular time especially when one of them is Cutch who has already said he will be spending most of his time at DH.
Assuming Swags over CSN for now (sure makes defense easier)
vs. RH – Reynolds – Swags – Suwinski
vs LH – Reynolds, Joe, (Cutch/Swags/Suwinski) in some alignment.
Probably Joe ends up on the short end of at bats.
This but Joe is the short-side platoon mate for Jack and Swags gets everyday at bats in CF, for me at least.
For the most part that is how I would play it. But given we are putting a lot on spring training stats for Swags, I don’t think it is the worst thing to have him sit some to spread at bats around. IMO this is still a tryout year – just one that appears to be much more satisfying than previous years and if some really weird stars align, at least I can dream of some success.
If Swags makes the team, he should be the everyday CFer. The value he creates defensively far outweighs any offensive value hypothetically created by platooning his bat with Joe and assuming replacement level defense.
You nailed the optimal OF lineup against RHPs. Against LHPs, I would keep Reynolds and Swags in LF and CF, respectively, with Joe or Cutch (preferably) in RF. I think you need to give Swags an opportunity and see what he does with it. I mean, he can’t be any worse than Suwinski against LHP, and if he is, they both should probably work on that stuff in Indy.
Everyone bashing Suwinski, the guy hit 19 Hrs in the majors not in AA or AAA. None of these other guys have done that even in triple A or double A. His spring numbers aren’t horrible but the strikeouts are concerning. I think you have to give a guy who spent a bunch of time in the majors and hit 19 Hrs a spot out of the gates over CSN and Swaggerty even though they had hot springs. Again it’s just spring training, I don’t think I need to remind everyone of Newman a couple years ago. I know it is tempting, but I think the right thing to do is give Suwinski a good look to start. He has proven he can hit homers, all he really needs to do is get on base a little more and he’s a good outfielder. So I am good with him getting the first go. Swaggerty and CSN will get their chance, but I think only one starts in MLB. My money is on swaggerty for his defense and the fact that CSN is a Cherington guy that they will want to get at bats everyday in triple A.
I think you’re muddling the issues, but I agree with your conclusion.
over a 50% k rate is mediocre? Its like all time history bad…..
I never said he was mediocre? But anyways, it’s spring so I am saying we are putting way too much stock into guys who have done nothing in the big leagues and discounting a guy who had production last year. I think we have to wait and see. I have been a swaggerty guy since the beginning but he has not produced a ton in the minors and hasn’t done one thing in the big leagues yet. All I am saying let’s give Suwinski a chance to start.
I think the idea here is that Suwinski is showing no signs of improving. The 19 HRs is great, but not without improvement on the whiff rate. If anything he is getting worse. If we were seeing zero power this year, but a substantial FOCUS on making contact, regardless of hits, then I think you give him a chance. What he’s doing right now however, is showing that an offseason and new stance has had absolutely no impact at all, so you send him down and let him figure it out. I’d be telling him something very simple- i don’t care about your power numbers or even your batting average……I want to see a K rate under 30% for a full month. I want to see a 2 strike approach. When you do that, you will be called back up.
With Swag as the true centerfielder this comes down to CSN vs Suwinski, right?
Do you want be the first to make the argument that CSN has fixed his swing? We’re talking about an equally if not more flawed prospect than Suwinski.
I hear you man, I think it’s completely possible they ruined Jack by rushing him to the show.
And if somebody could make the case that CSN has fixed the flaws we know he has and those developmental changes are directly tied to his spring performance, I’d stuff him on the OD roster in a heartbeat.
Short of that, you’re rostering a worse all-around player than Jack for no probable offensive benefit.
Again it’s spring. I would agree if this was the first couple weeks of the regular season. I have concerns but I want to give him a shot in real games first.
i posted under the wrong comment
Counterpoint: Chris Carter led the NL in home runs in 2016 and was out of the league never to play in the bigs again half a season later. I’m all for creating the best roster and think Swaggerty over Suwinski helps to accomplish that
But you are basing this on spring training that’s my point. I too like swaggerty more but I think you have to give Suwinski a first look to see if that power can grow into more. Swaggerty and CSN have not done a thing in the big leagues and haven’t been killing it in the minors either. It will play out, I just think Suwinski should get the first crack with swaggerty as the 4th OF.
I want Swags as our everyday CFer, and it has nothing to do with ST stats. He’s a borderline elite defender and optimizes the OF lineup from a def positioning perspective, which includes Suwinski in RF against RHPs.
Suwinski’s issues are well documented as we saw last year; the ST numbers are concerning but they existed prior. How does he improve, and when do you move on if the specter results and/ or results don’t improve?
This is what happens when you have only one truly established major league outfielder (and I am a TSwag fan).
They all have pretty big question marks. Jack and his K’s. Can Swaggerty and CSN hit consistently in the majors? ST stats mean diddley.
Choi is an above average major league hitter and also a good defensive first baseman, and Santana isn’t playing first everyday. Don’t understand why you would want to cut someone like that, given the struggles they had at first base last year. Choi gives them a better chance of winning games in April and May, we should no longer be in “development” mode, let the younger plays rake in AAA before they move up to the Majors. This is why I liked adding Cutch, Hill, and Santana, they didn’t decide to come to Pittsburgh to be part of a rebuild, it is time to play to win every game.
I was merely reporting what I read. I am not in favor of cutting Choi. Personally, I think the only roster decision that would frustrate me, however, is if they cut someone from the 40 man to roster owings.
If they bring Mathias to Pittsburgh for purposes of “veteranosity” or to assure every day at bats to the rookies in AAA I won’t moan too loudly because he is already on the 40 man.
They have to add a catcher since Endy is already sent down but they don’t have to sacrifice anyone for that. Garcia can go to the 60 day.
If they cut or waive someone to add owings as well then I’ll be angry. The rest I can live with as it will be temporary. The rookies will either keep hitting in AAA and come up or they won’t.
Even if that someone is Vilade? Yohan Ramirez? Tucu Marcano?
Come on, man, let’s not pretend the 40-man is filled to the brim with guys they can’t live without. I’d swap Owings for any of them and sleep peacefully.
And I don’t even like Owings much.
Yes. I like all of them
Better than Owings. Every one.
Ain’t baseball grand!
The best defensive outfield is Reynolds in Left, Swaggerty in Center, and then Cutch/Suwinski/CSN in Right. And that doesn’t hurt the offense either, assuming Swaggerty hits ok. I think giving CSN or Suwinski everyday starts in AAA is best for their development, so I don’t see having both of them up. The eye test for Center Field has Swaggerty way ahead of Suwinski, I’m not sure how you could call it any differently. Given CSN’s lost season due to injury, my guess is that he is going to go down to AAA to get more at bats.
Post gazette had an article that made an important point. Choi’s contract is not yet guaranteed because he went to arbitration rather than settling. The new CBA guarantees contracts when settled before “trial”. The Bucs could cut Choi and pay about a $1.5 million severance, saving over $3 million and opening a roster spot.
I would say it is not out of the question. Choi is not who I would personally want to cut from a talent point of view, that would be Joe, but Joe is cheap. He does have options, though, so they could send Joe to Indy.
It all comes down to the front office willingness to be ruthless.
HTH did the players agree to that?! I am wondering if the regional TV collapse and not paying the Pirates fees is going to affect Bob’s checkbook………the answer is YES it will.
Just listened to Mackey make a pretty convincing argument for Pirates to cut Choi on a podcast. I wonder if BC is considering this? It would definitely open up a spot in OF for either CSN or Swaggerty, since cutting ties with Choi opens up more DH at bats for Cutch.
Pirates would spend 1.140 million dollars and jack Hartman in the Choi trade and get zero productivity. But save 3.5 million. Also you will have lefty hitters getting ab’s vs lefties sometimes if you want to play swags and csn and suwinski enough to keep them on major league club. I don’t see them cutting Choi
Choi is an asset, why would the team discard said asset over unproven prospect with good not great track records. Making the opening roster is not the goal, winning is, and managing assets correctly is part of the winning process.
Just posted the same thing above. They can also send Joe to Indy. Being 30 shouldn’t guarantee him a slot.
Joe has played well enough and has enough versatility to NOT be sent to indy
But..But…VETERANOSITY!!!
I’d trust the batboys judgement on the outfield competition before Shelton’s.
For some reason they seem to be holding Suwinski to a different standard than they do other players. Hitting in the .200 neighborhood and striking out 35-40% of the time (those numbers go along with the 19 home runs they keep mentioning) would disqualify anyone else from even being considered for the roster. Mason Martin didn’t even get invited to spring training because of numbers like that despite hitting a lot of home runs. Why is Suwinski different? They keep circling the wagons and defending him even when he’s clearly struggling. Since when did almost catching a ball become a great defensive play? I just don’t get it.
Doc, once we saw Jack featured in the Preseason advertising his spot on the OD roster was sealed.Roster decisions made by marketing dept.
Jack is a TTO player and TTO’s are polarizing players because folks still read BA’s and worry about the k’s.
A TTO that can play plus defense is a 3-4 win player.
not with an OPS of .700 he isn’t
This is who Jack is. He’s not going to go to Indy and be a contact hitter. He’s a slugger who will hit well against righties, provide decent defense, and that’s probably it. And that’s helpful!
Mason Martin is a terrible example because…all of his bad numbers were in the minors.
Ridiculous, is this your first spring training?
they keep mentioning 19 homeruns but dont account for the fact that he has a sub 200 batting average on the road and we dont play in PNC for a week
if they want Jack to play center field he needs to go to AAA to practice
only way Jack should make the team is if they release Choi
Swaggerty is the only true center fielder on the team
Good starting line up for us today, hope to see some offense.
Well, if there’s a chance to screw this up, Shelton will say, “Hold my beer, Donny!”
Shelton needs to cut the crap with the veteranosity.
If TSwags does not go north with the club, neither should Shelton.
Shelton isn’t making the decision.
Shelton doesn’t have final say on who makes the team. That’s BC’s job.
Yeah, but it’s 80% Shelty’s decision. If he pounds the table for HIS roster, he will have the say in borderline/ coin-flip roster decisions.
It’s definitely a collaborative effort, but as I said, the FINAL word on any disagreements goes to BC.
I don’t think that’s true at all. BC has all the power. Shelton works for him.
BC. (and every GM) should be taking Shelton and coaching staff input. They are the experts on identifying what a player brings to the playing field. This is not about corporate hierarchy. It’s a collaboration. It’s not about who works for who!
Head coach and coaching staff have a say on roster, and they should.
Sure, like Neal said he never made a request that Nutting/Coonely turned down.