As we’ve run through various National League clubs and how they might handle the likely implementation of the universal designated hitter, a common theme has been that many of the league’s better clubs have ample depth that will allow them to piece together a solid DH rotation — even if there isn’t one dedicated masher to whom those at-bats would go.
That’s not the case in Pittsburgh, where a thin roster without much offensive upside is lacking in terms of serviceable DH options. A look at the Pirates’ projected bench at Roster Resource reveals catcher Luke Maile and a series of utility types including JT Riddle, Erik Gonzalez, Jose Osuna and Guillermo Heredia. None of that quintet has been anywhere close to a league-average hitter in his career. Osuna’s career 86 wRC+ leads the pack, and he’s the only one of the bunch who has even managed a .400 slugging percentage (.439). Heredia, meanwhile, is the only one with a career OBP above .300.
However, that doesn’t mean that a universal DH spot wouldn’t give Buccos fans something to watch. The Pirates reportedly explored a possible extension for top prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes earlier this year. There’s already been some thought about a 2020 debut, and with an uncertain minor league climate at the moment, it makes sense to plug Hayes into the lineup if the MLB season is indeed able to get underway.
Hayes shouldn’t see much (or any) time at DH himself, to be clear. He’s regarded as one of the game’s premier defensive prospects, and it just so happens that at his position, third base, the Pirates are in need of an upgrade. Colin Moran turned in an astonishing -21 Defensive Runs Saved, a -8.8 Ultimate Zone Rating and -6 Outs Above Average in just 882 frames at the hot corner. Hayes, on the other hand, received a 65 (on the 20-80 scale) for his defense in MLB.com’s scouting report and a future 70 over at FanGraphs.
Moran would give the Bucs a reasonably competent bat to install at DH. He’s not a prolific slugger, but the lefty’s career 103 wRC+ against right-handers represents a markedly better option than the previously projected bench bats.
Might the Pirates have other options down on the farm? Will Craig, a 2016 first-rounder, had a down year in Triple-A. The first baseman’s right-handed bat would make a natural pairing with Moran, assuming last year’s poor showing against left-handed pitching was more an aberration than the beginning of a downward trend. If Craig is able to bounce back at the plate, perhaps the club would consider giving Josh Bell additional time at DH and playing Craig in the field. Bell rates poorly from a defensive standpoint.
Shortstop Oneil Cruz — whom many project to move to the outfield eventually — receives huge grades on his raw power but has yet to see it manifest in games. He hasn’t played above Double-A yet. Would the Pirates consider bringing him to the big leagues if there are no minor league games played? He’s already on the 40-man roster.. Cole Tucker made his MLB debut in 2019, and while the shortstop is too good a fielder to be considered a primary DH, he’s blocked up the middle by Kevin Newman and Adam Frazier at the moment. The added DH spot could help him get a few more at-bats in the big leagues.
It seems unlikely that the Bucs would go outside the organization unless it’s a very cost-efficient pickup, but even if they stick with what they have, the added DH slot should open the door for some promising youngsters to get their feet wet in the Majors.
Bring back Pedro Alvarez
You must be related to him
Sid Bream
i think Osuna profiles as the best option on paper, but given the likelihood that there is no AAA season this is indeed a golden opportunity to get regular ABs for Hayes.
Pirates will not sign any free agents for dh. They are cheap and the owner sucks. Sell the team if you do t want to invest.
I am sure Bob Nutting is reading these comments and will heed your well-written advice.
Sarcasm Alert!
Good to know. Hey Bob, can you give the Wilpons a message? The last 2 sentences of army’s post will do. Thanks Bob!
PS, you have a nice park. Do something to put some butts in it!
Put Bell at DH, rotate Craig, Osuna and Moran at first base. Bell is an awful defender at first, and Craig and Osuna are way better defenders.
I was going to note that a Moran/Osuna tandem wouldn’t be awful, but using Bell makes more sense.
He’s better, but still…a sometimes comically bad fielder.
Bell is perhaps the most unnatural moving player I’ve ever seen. Both on the field and in the batter’s box he is so stiff and non-fluid it’s astonishing.
I dunno…do you remember that game in Wrigley when Polanco looked like he was shot with a tranquilizer dart and just stumbled and fell face first into the ground instead of making a routine catch to seal a loss?
Hard to give the label to anyone else after seeing that.
But you are right, Bell is a big guy, a smart guy and a skilled guy (and thus a good fit for baseball), but not nearly as athletically gifted as he would appear.
Polanco doesn’t have nearly as good of a bat to stick at DH. I get that one error, but it’s one error. While I’m not advocating that Polanco is a great fielder, you could do a lot worse.
Remember when Polanco was a “5 Tool” “future all-star” prospect? Now he’s pushing 30 and he’s never showed one of those tools….
I give you Gregory Polanco as the winner of unnatural movement. He looks like a telephone pole in a dryer running the bases.
I agree. Bell is the DH. Moran and Osuna play 1st. Hays at 3rd.
I’ve seen Polanco stand in right field. There’s your DH. He’s a horrible fielder.
Willy Mo Pena and his light tower power would probably fit into their budget.
Would love to see his slash line. Something like .150/.200/.500 would be about right. Like Chris Davis with power.
Pena was undone in part because of his contract. Who knows what he could have been if he had minor league time to develop. He was required to be in majors well before he was ready.
Melk May revisit. lol
Any reason why Trumbo shouldn’t be given a shot at DH in the NL? Seems to me he’d be a good fit for SD , Colorado , Pittsburgh or the Giants.
Ill always appreciate Trumbo’s 48 HR season as an orioles fan……
But I don’t think guys who can’t run, have bad knees and might bat around the league average are in high demand.
Odds are any of those rebuilding teams has a better DH type sitting in AAA looking for an opportunity. There’s very little reward with Trumbo at this point.
Osuna or Craig at 1B (the other platoons I’m RF with Polanco) Bell to DH.
I am all for Hayes coming up at some point, just not right now. He needs another half season to full season in Triple A before being considered MLB ready. Nothing against Hayes, but his bat is lagging behind and I’d like to see him figure it out in Triple A before reaching the majors.
With the DH, Wil Craig comes to mind with a power deprived lineup. I’d slot him in 6th or 7th hole in the lineup. He is going to start off slow, but when he gets hot, look out! Balls maybe landing in the Allegheny River. I have been curious to see him up in the majors for the last 3 years. I really want to see him in the majors or trade him to a AL club to DH there. Such a waste of talent to be in Triple A