Pittsburgh Pirates 2021 Previews: OF Jared Oliva
2020 was an interesting year not just because of the circumstances surrounding the pandemic, but in terms of player development as well. Several players who have not seen time above the Double-A level were making their Big League debuts across the league. As you can bet there was a mixture of results, with some performing well while others showed they just weren't ready for the Big Leagues. The Pirates had a couple of guys do this, but the very last to make the jump from Double-A to the Big Leagues was outfielder Jared Oliva. Olivia was called up to the Big Leagues on September 21st, 2020, and played in every game from then to the end of the season.
Offensively, Oliva never really got going hitting just .188 with a stolen base over 16 at-bats. Oliva did show the Pirates the speed and defensive skills that he had to offer, but he just didn't look comfortable at the plate. He struck out six times over 16 at-bats and reached base just three times, all on singles. Oliva made his first Big League camp last season as a non-roster invitee and appeared in three games, six at-bats, and hit .167 with a double and three stolen bases. In 2021, he is on the 40-man roster for the first time in his career and is fighting for a spot in the outfield. While he will probably start in Triple-A to continue his development, it is a chance for the 25-year-old outfielder to show the Pirates how he has grown over the off-season.
Consistency is Key
Throughout Oliva's Minor League career, he has proven that he can be a consistent contact bat. He was a seventh-round pick for the Pirates in the 2017 MLB Draft and has spent the last three years in the organization. Over that time, he is a career .274 hitter between Short-Season, Low A, and Double-A ball with 15 home runs and 106 RBI in 287 games played. In each of those three seasons, he had a batting average of .265 or higher and his on-base percentage has never been below the .375 mark. The more Oliva got on base the more deadly he became as he could then use his speed to cause havoc. He has been able to steal 30+ bases in each of his last two Minor League seasons and had his best year yet at Double-A Altoona.
He was the Curve's starting centerfielder in 2019 and had a career-year all-around hitting .277 with six home runs and 42 RBI. His .277 average was the highest of his career, and his run production was just slightly off the pace that he set the year before. However, the area that he really lit up the scoreboard was in the stolen base department. He stole a career-high 36 bases in 46 attempts for a stolen base success rate of just over 78%. He caused havoc for opposing pitchers and brought that speed to the alternate training site. While there he showed off his speed and defense in the outfield, and when the Pirates needed someone at the end of the season the hard work paid off as Oliva was the one to get the call.
He made his Major League debut on September 21st against the Chicago Cubs coming off the bench before serving as a defensive replacement. He struck out in his lone at-bat of the night but was officially welcomed to the Big Leagues. He would go hitless in his first three Big League games before finally coming through against those same Cubs four days later. His first Big League hit was a little tapper to the left side of the infield that Oliva found a way to beat out. He would end up going 2-4 against the Cubs that day and gave himself some confidence at the Big League level. He would end up getting a hit in two of his final three games of the season and ended the year hitting .333 over his final nine at-bats.
Triple-A In 2021
Even though he had some Big League time in 2020, it is almost certain that Jared Oliva will begin 2021 at Triple-A Indianapolis. He has never played above the Double-A level, and his inexperience showed over his first six Big League games. Here, he will get to work with guys like Travis Swaggerty, Cal Mitchell, and possibly even Oneil Cruz as he develops as one of the Pirates' centerfield options for the future. Here, he will be able to work on his approach at the plate and putting himself in the best position to make solid contact. As he has gotten to the upper levels of the Minor Leagues strikeouts have become a problem, as was evident in his 37.5% strikeout rate in a very short showing last season.
At Double-A Altoona last season, he was consistently at the top of the batting order and his strikeout rate was higher than you normally like to see. He struck out just over 20% of the time (104 times in 507 at-bats) in a spot in the lineup where you don't normally want to be striking out. Add to that the fact that he didn't walk much (8.2%) and it is clear that Oliva has to work on his plate discipline before he can make the jump to the next level. He was named an all-star for the 2019 season for how he was able to hit the ball consistently but to go from a good prospect to a great prospect, that plate discipline is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed.
With all that being said, I fully expect Oliva to make an appearance on the Big League club at some point this season. As one of the few centerfield options that still have Minor League Options attached to him, it is likely he will be sent to Triple-A to start the 2021 season. It will be good for the young outfielder, as he will get a chance to play every day and get valuable experience with the Indianapolis Indians. It will be interesting to see how the Pirates structure their Minor Leagues this year, but the Triple-A outfield looks to feature Oliva, newly acquired Troy Stokes JR., and Chris Sharpe. All three are essentially Major League ready and could impact the team this season. Except Oliva to be first called if given the chance, as he looks to prove that he has what it takes to perform at the Big League level.
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