Off-Season Questions: What Will the Pirates Middle Infield Look Like in 2021?
Dick Groat and Bill Mazeroski, Tim Foli and Rennie Stennet, and Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez. These are just some of the great second base/shortstop combinations that have graced the Pittsburgh Pirates middle infield. For a defensive first team like the Pirates, having a solid showing up the middle is going to be key to the team's success. However, with so many different middle infielders on the 40-man roster, the Pirates will be forced to narrow it down to two starters. Last season, it was Kevin Newman at shortstop and Adam Frazier at second base as the double-play combination. By the end of the season, neither of the two were still in their positions and both sports were open.
Adam Frazier's name has been circling the rumor mill for the past couple of seasons, and it can be assumed that he will be moved this off-season. So, that leaves two open spots and six players on the 40-man roster fighting for those two spots. Some of those men don't have Major League experience and can most likely be ruled out. Rodolfo Castro will most likely start in Double-A and O'neil Cruz will likely go to Triple-A. That leaves four players that have a shot to be on the Big League roster. We look over the different combinations the Pirates could see this year in the middle infield as they look to put the best defense together that can also provide for the offense.
Option #1: SS Erik Gonzalez/2B Kevin Newman
Our first scenario is probably the most defensively sound of the options but suffers some offensively. Erik Gonzalez was a streaky hitter last season, but played great defense, especially at shortstop while Newman had a down year. This set-up would allow Newman to move back to his natural position at second base which may ease the transition to the Major Leagues. Last season, Newman hit .224 with one home run and 10 RBI. It was a disappointing showing for a man who hit over .300 in his first full season and was in the running for Rookie of the Year. It was a slow start that doomed Newman as he hit just .050 during July and, after hitting .307 in August, struggled once again in September hitting .180.
As for Gonzalez, it was a hot start that quickly propelled him to the top of the Pirate's depth chart. When Colin Moran and Newman went down with injuries in early August, Gonzalez stepped in and took advantage getting his average as high as .349 on August 14th. However, he dropped off offensively in September, hitting just .181 and finished the year batting .227 with three home runs and 20 RBI. For what Gonzalez may lack in offense he makes up for in defensive ability. Gonzalez played both shortstop and third base and posted a .957 fielding percentage at shortstop. Gonzalez has never been given a full-time chance in Pittsburgh and 2021 might be his chance.
Option #2: SS Cole Tucker/2B Kevin Newman
The next most likely scenario for the Pirate's middle infield is that the Pirates move Cole Tucker back to the infield and play him at shortstop. Tucker spent all of the 2020 season in the outfield when the Pirates needed an extra outfielder and, although, he played decently, I don't see him sticking there. Tucker is a much better defensive shortstop and has shown that through his first year in the Big Leagues. In 2019, Tucker played 318.2 innings at shortstop and had a .986 fielding percentage. He was part of 20 double plays that season and committed just two errors. However, his offense has yet to show through as he is a career .215 hitter with three homers and 21 RBI in just over 250 at-bats. There is still a lot to learn with Tucker, and 2021 could be his breakout season.
As for Newman, if Adam Frazier is moved this off-season, odds are he will be back at his natural position of second base. He has shown in the past that he can hit the ball consistently, and if he can get back to that in 2021, it will be a big asset for the Pirates. Newman was in the running for Rookie of the Year in 2019 with his .308 batting average, and that has been a trend he has followed throughout his Minor League career. He has consistently hit in the mid-200s at every level he has played at, and I expect that again in 2021. He probably won't hit the .308 marl he did during his rookie season, but look for him to be a mid-200s hitter for the Pirates.
Option #3: SS Cole Tucker/2B Phillip Evans
The third, and probably most unlikely, option for the middle infield would represent the Pirates making a lot of off-season moves. In this scenario, Cole Tucker moves back to his natural shortstop position, and Phillip Evans goes back to his roots as a natural second baseman. Evans was drafted as a second baseman in the 15th round of the 2011 MLB Draft and gave the Pirates a strong showing in his initial debut. He played in 11 games in 2020 and hit .359 with one home run and nine RBI playing a combination of third base, first base, and outfield. However, he has played second base his entire Minor League career and has a fielding percentage of .962, the best of any of his other positions.
This scenario would also see Cole Tucker move back to his normal position at shortstop. Tucker showed some power potential with three home runs during his first season when he hit a game-winning home run in his first at-bat. However, his batting average has never been able to keep up as he is just a .215 batting average. He is probably the best defensive option at shortstop the Pirates have and this will give him a chance to move back to shortstop. With whichever combination the Pirates choose, defense has got to be top priority after the Pirates out up the worst fielding percentage in baseball. Cole Tucker provides that defense the Pirates need and this option might be best for both offense and defense.
Comments
Post a Comment