How Phillip Evans Powered his Way Onto the Pirates Opening Day Roster
Before the last three exhibition games, the only news you probably headed about Phillip Evans was that he is a Minor League free agent. He hasn't had very much playing time in the Major Leagues, and the time he has had hasn't been very productive. In 54 Major League games, Evans has hit just .241 with no home runs and 2 RBI. However, he has shown power throughout his Minor League career and is looking to now translate that power to the Big Leagues. He showed a glimpse of that power against the Indians when he hit a 410 foot home run into the left-field seats, but he is looking to consistently produce that kind of power at the Major League level.
In nine seasons in the Minor Leagues, Evans hit .262 with 61 career home runs while driving in 316 RBI in both the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs Minor League systems. The power wasn't being generated early on in his career, but he has increased the power in each of the last three years hitting 11, 14, and 17 home runs respectively. He does strikeout a good bit at the plate but is also fairly patient. Last season with the Iowa Cubs, he struck out 15.8% of the time, but also managed to walk 10.5% of the time. He had a decent on-base percentage of .371 and slugged a healthy .470, leading the club in that category.
Defensively, he has played all over the field, but his primary position is third base. He has experience at third base, first base, second base, shortstop, and the corner outfield positions so his versatility could keep his bat in the lineup. He isn't the best with the glove, with a fielding percentage of .948 at his home position of third base last year, but he is good enough to be able to hold his own. If Evans's bat is showing the power that it did in the Minor Leagues, Manager Derek Shelton could be forced to find a spot for Evans, much like the Pirates have in the past with guys like Josh Harrison and Adam Frazier.
So, how did Evans end up signing with Pittsburgh? It was actually Pirates pitcher, and fellow San Diego native, Joe Musgrove that ended up convincing the Pirates to sign Evans. The two were close friends since high school and both committed to San Diego State to play baseball. The Pirates already have a slew of connections to the Southern California area, including Trevor Williams, Steven Brault, and Kevin Newman, and Musgrove thought that Evans would fit right in. After talking it over with a couple of different teams, Evans decided to sign with the Pirates, joining his third club in the past three seasons.
When he came into Spring Training 1.0, it was thought that there wasn't much chance of him making the Opening Day roster given his recent MLB history. However, he impressed hitting .350 (7-20) with one home run and seven RBI in 16 games played. In those 16 games, he played third, second, first, and right field and combined to commit just two errors at any position. Although at the beginning of camp it seemed the Pirates were set on JT Riddle and Erik Gonzalez as back-up infielders, Evans was fighting his way into the picture. Then, the quarantine hit and forced all camps to shut down and players to go home.
Evans ended up heading back to southern California where he ended up rooming with teammate Joe Musgrove. The two worked our every day and focused on staying in baseball shape for when things resumed. Musgrove knew he had a spot on the team, but Evans's place was uncertain so he had to work to make the club. When the Pirates called players back for the July 4th report day, Evans found out he had made the PNC Park roster, furthering his chance of making the Big League club. He knew he could hit and his versatility was there so he was focused on controlling what he could control. "I feel pretty good, I think my career is just starting out, " said Evans in an interview with MLB.com's Adam Berry. "Being here and seeing how hungry and excited everyone is, I'm excited to get this thing going."
Evans picked up right where he left off in Spring Training 2.0 as he continued to swing a hot bat. He appeared in two of the three exhibition games against the Indians and hit .333 (2-6) with a home run, two RBI, and a run scored. He appeared at third base and right field during those two games played and did a good job on the defensive side of the ball as well. He reached base three times but did strike out twice in those seven plays appearances with no walks. His strikeout numbers are a concern, considering he will be a guy who is in and out of the lineup, but his power numbers can just not be denied.
That power was on display during the second game of the series when he got the Pirates out to the early lead. After a leadoff single by Colin Moran to start the inning, Evans came up with a runner on and no outs. He worked the count to 2-2 mostly on pitches low in the zone. Indians starter Mike Clevinger decided to try and change Evans's eye level and three a 96 mph fastball out over the top of the plate. Evans was ready for it and ended up blasting it 410 feet into the seats in left field. The shot showed just what Evans is capable of doing and that type of power is something that can't be overlooked especially with a team hungry for power.
All of Evans's hard work finally paid off this week when the Pirates announced he had made the Opening Day roster. The power that he provides beings a new dynamic to the Pirates bench and gives them more options for the DH spot. Evans is one of the guys I am looking at to possibly have a breakout season. If his power translates to the Major Leagues, it will be a big plus for the Pirates and could provide them some more power that they desperately need in their lineup.
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