Jake Goebbert

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2009
A-:  238/332/333, 189 AB, 12 2B, 3 3B, 22 BB, 39 K, 2-5 SB

Goebbert didn’t hit a great deal in his debut.

2010
A:  291/363/445, 519 AB, 48 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 52 BB, 78 K, 14-18 SB

In low A, Goebbert put together a season that looks very similar to the one Jordan Luplow had at the same level for the Pirates in 2015, with a lot of doubles, a few HRs, and good plate discipline.  Goebbert also drove in 98 runs.

2011
A+:  260/319/413, 104 AB, 1 2B, 5 HR, 10 BB, 16 K, 3-3 SB
AA:  305/368/456, 272 AB, 18 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 22 BB, 47 K, 2-6 SB
AAA:  283/345/415, 106 AB, 8 2B, 2 HR, 10 BB, 18 K, 0-1 SB

Goebbert advanced through three levels, putting up solid or better numbers at each one.

2012
AA:  304/399/473, 368 AB, 23 2B, 6 3B, 9 HR, 55 BB, 57 K, 5-8 SB
AAA:  133/257/167, 30 AB, 1 2B, 5 BB, 7 K

Despite his success the year before, the Astros sent Goebbert back to AA for most of the season.  He probably was hurt by the hiring of new GM Jeff Luhnow, who took the Astros into teardown mode.  Luhnow loaded up the AAA roster with former top prospects like Fernando Martinez, Travis Buck, Brett Wallace and Brad Snyder, probably hoping for lightning to strike with somebody.  Goebbert hit well in AA, with nearly as many walks as strikeouts.

2013
AA:  268/352/480, 396 AB, 20 2B, 5 3B, 18 HR, 47 BB, 83 K, 6-9 SB
AAA:  229/365/443, 70 AB, 3 2B, 4 HR, 15 BB, 16 K

Just before the season, the Astros traded Goebbert to Oakland.  He then got sent back to AA again, as well as being passed over in the Rule 5 draft.  He showed considerably more over-the-fence power than he had previously.

2014
AAA (Oak):  257/371/505, 109 AB, 7 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 19 BB, 20 K, 1-1 SB
AAA (SD):  322/435/561, 171 AB, 13 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 33 BB, 33 K
MLB (SD):  218/313/317, 101 AB, 1 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 12 BB, 32 K, 2-3 SB

Goebbert finally got to open a season in AAA and he hit well there.  In mid-May, the A’s sent him to San Diego.  He hit even better after the trade and the Padres called him up in mid-June.  He didn’t hit much in the majors and the Padres sent him down a month later, only to recall him again two weeks later (and hence not use up an option).  After the season, the team outrighted Goebbert to AAA.

2015
AAA:  294/392/452, 354 AB, 20 2B, 3 3B, 10 HR, 57 BB, 70 K, 4-8 SB

Goebbert continued to hit well in AAA, but his power dropped off.

The Pirates’ decision to give Goebbert a major league contract was a little puzzling, considering that neither teams nor prospect mavens had shown much interest in him.  They said he’d get a chance to compete for a spot on the team, but the acquisition of Matt Joyce effectively ended his chances.  A weak spring training didn’t help, either.  Depending on injuries and other developments, Goebbert could still get a chance as a left-handed bench bat.  He might (or might not) be better in the role than Decker.  His minor league numbers, though, have to be viewed with caution because he played in a lot of good hitting environments.

UPDATE:  The signing of Matt Joyce and an unimpressive spring left Goebbert without an obvious role on the team.  The Pirates designated him for assignment to clear roster space at the end of spring training.  If they retain him, he’ll head to Indianapolis.