I keep reading about how the Pirates defense could be compromised by their offseason acquisitions, and I keep not caring. I’ll take the offense.
Consider the case of all-field, no-hit Ke’Bryan Hayes, now in Cincinnati. Hayes is an elite defender, but how many times per game is he afforded the opportunity to seriously impact a game by making an elite play?
Maybe once? Those kinds of chances don’t come around often.
On the other hand, how many times per game is Hayes afforded the opportunity to seriously impact a game with his bat?
Likely four, guaranteed. I’ll take the offense.
Unfortunately, the Pirates still haven’t found a hitter to play third, but at least Jared Triolo hits lefties. He had an OPS of .798 against them last season. That’s almost 300 points higher than Hayes (who can’t hit righties, either).
The topic arises because I’m tinkering with Pirates lineups, which has suddenly become an enjoyable exercise rather than an act of self-torture. They become especially interesting with phenom shortstop Konnor Griffin penciled in.
TribLive’s Kevin Gorman has projected Griffin to be on the Opening Day roster. I’m not as confident, but unless Griffin has a horrible spring training, it’s the right move.
Why can’t the Pirates ever have a phenom rocket through their system? Griffin would be making the jump straight from Double-A. So what? If he’s capable, and if he’s the best option at shortstop (which he surely is), bring him north. One or two games could make the difference in a playoff race.
I’m also aware that Marcell Ozuna’s arrival means Bryan Reynolds might have to play both outfield spots and that it might force Ryan O’Hearn to play more outfield. I don’t care. Injuries, individual matchups and rest days will take care of lineup logjams.
I still believe the Pirates need an everyday third baseman, but here’s my hoped-for Opening Day lineup against the Mets and (I’m guessing) right-hander Freddie Peralta:
SS Griffin (No. 1 prospect in baseball)
1B Spencer Horwitz (top-20 OBP in NL last season)
2B Brandon Lowe (31 HRs)
DH Marcell Ozuna (Fourth in NL MVP vote in 2024)
RF Ryan O’Hearn (17 HRs, .803 OPS)
LF Bryan Reynolds (Must prove he can bounce back to norm)
CF Oneil Cruz (Less pressure could equal bigger numbers)
C Henry Davis (If he wins the job)
3B Jared Triolo (If they don’t find another option)
I’m open to Rafael Flores winning the No. 1 catcher job, though I know Paul Skenes likes Davis as his battery mate. (Joey Bart’s still here, too, and he hammers lefties if nothing else.)
I’m also open to Nick Gonzales at third and Jake Mangum starting some games. I don’t love the outfield defense. I don’t love Lowe defensively at second base.
But I sure do like the new bats. I’m guessing Skenes will, too.
I’m guessing he’ll take the offense.