Matt Gorski, 1B/OF
You became the first Pirate to homer in your first major league plate appearance since Starling Marte. How much have you heard about him?
That has been shared, but I haven’t heard a ton about him. I know he was a great player with us.
Is that the best introduction to the Pirates you could have asked for?
It was a really, really cool moment. A lot of people have been saying, ‘He’s been thinking about that moment for six years, like a six-year buildup to that moment.’ I really do feel like it was that. At each level, my first hit has been a home run — besides Triple-A and rookie ball. In Low-A Bradenton, home run there. Home run in Greensboro. Home run in Double-A. To have it in the big leagues is pretty cool.
You raked in spring training. How did you deal with starting the season at Triple-A Indianapolis?
After you have a good spring training and you go to St. Paul, Minn., in March and it’s snowing and windy and you’re wearing four layers of clothing, it’s a lot more difficult to hype yourself up to get ready for those games. The guys on the other side of the field are trying to make it to the big leagues, too, so it’s not like you’re going out there against crappy players all the time. It’s harder to get going at the beginning of the season. Thankfully, I started out bringing the momentum. I’m glad I was able to do that.
Did you worry whether you would ever reach the majors?
I think this spring training was a big coming out for me against big league pitching and as close as you can get to big league stadiums in spring training. That was a sign to myself that I knew I could get to this point. Just hearing from staff, ‘We believe in you, the reassurance that you’re going to be up at some point. It’s just a matter of when we need you and when we see fit.’ I feel like is now a good time.
As a natural outfielder, did you ever imagine you would make your MLB debut at first base?
I think I had a good sense of it. In the minor leagues, I was playing once a week at first base so it was more of an option there. I play the outfield but if they put me at shortstop, I was ready to play. It’s one of those things, wherever you’re needed. I feel comfortable there. Thankfully, Oneil Cruz wasn’t hurt, but if he was out of the game I was going to go to center field.
How much have you dreamed of playing in the outfield at PNC Park?
I’m very much looking forward to it. I know in left field there’s a lot of room to roam out there. Let him run a little. Learning right field, I feel like I need to get out there and take some reps during BP. It’s short and high and you don’t know the depth perception near the wall.
How touching was it to see your wife’s and family’s reaction to your MLB debut?
There were a lot of videos strictly of them, so it was cool to see their reaction to it. They’ve been throughout the same journey I’ve been through. She’s grinded through the Altoona days, grinded through the apartments and all the driving and all the away games and everything, so for her to have that moment, too, is pretty cool.