There have been some whispers that maybe the Pirates would transfer Bryan Reynolds from the outfield to first base however that doesn’t appear to be within the playing cards. “It seems like I’m a proper fielder,” Reynolds stated at this time, per Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette. “It helps to deal with that. Simply specializing in that, being a proper fielder.” He added that transferring from left to proper gave the impression to be “extra of a everlasting” transition “for now.”
Reynolds has spent his complete profession within the outfield, enjoying all three spots, however the first base rumors began late final yr. Again in September, supervisor Derek Shelton informed Hiles that Reynolds had been speaking about enjoying first for years and had just lately received a primary baseman’s glove.
The Pirates acquired Spencer Horwitz this offseason and he gave the impression to be slated to be the membership’s common first baseman. Nevertheless, it was just lately revealed that he has undergone wrist surgical procedure and will likely be sidelined for six to eight weeks. Which means the Bucs might want to discover different options there, not less than for the start of the season.
Regardless of Reynolds having an curiosity within the place, it’s comprehensible that the Bucs don’t wish to put him there proper now, as it will simply additional skinny out an outfield that already has some questions. Heart area goes to be manned by former shortstop Oneil Cruz, who solely has 195 innings of expertise at his new place. It looks as if the favourite for left area is Tommy Pham, who’s about to show 37 years and has has an up-and-down profession of late.
Transferring Reynolds in to take first would go away a gap on the grass to be stuffed by a clump of fellows together with Joshua Palacios, Adam Frazier, Jack Suwinski and Ji Hwan Bae. Subsequent to Cruz and Pham, that doesn’t have the making of a robust group.
Transferring from left to proper is considerably notable for Reynolds, as proper area is the outfield place he’s performed the least. He was primarily a middle fielder earlier in his profession earlier than transferring to left area up to now two years. He does have 398 innings in proper, although that’s far lower than the three,062 1/3 frames he’s logged in left.
Metrics are divided on his work in left, as he has 4 Defensive Runs Saved however -12 Outs Above Common. His pattern of labor in proper is a fairly small pattern and hard to attract conclusions from, although he has seventy fifth percentile arm energy and proper area is smaller at PNC Park, so maybe it’s a superb transfer for him.
The Bucs will nonetheless have to determine what to do at first base till Horwitz is again. Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Evaluate just lately took a take a look at a few of the choices, mentioning Jared Triolo, Darick Corridor, Matt Gorski, Malcom Nuñez and Suwinski as prospects.
Triolo simply received a Gold Glove for the utility place within the Nationwide League final yr, spending time in any respect 4 infield positions and proper area. The bigger query can be his bat, since he has a line of .242/.325/.341 in his massive league profession up to now. Corridor isn’t on the roster and has minimal massive league expertise however an enormous .253/.342/.458 line in his Triple-A profession. Gorski isn’t on the roster both and hasn’t made it to the present but however he had a pleasant line of .257/.319/.522 in Triple-A final yr. Nuñez additionally has no main league expertise and isn’t on the roster. He’s additionally coming off a poor .250/.310/.365 displaying in Triple-A final yr.
Suwinski has solely performed the outfield in his profession however there’s potential upside along with his bat. Over 2022 and 2023, he hit 45 homers for the Bucs and drew walks at a 12.8% clip. His 31.6% strikeout price was an issue however the energy and on-base skills made him a productive hitter. Sadly, he had a dismal 2024, slashing simply .182/.264/.324 and struggling within the minors as effectively. The primary base opening offers a path for him to earn again some enjoying time however his bat will clearly need to rebound for that to be a practical chance. Per Gorman, the Bucs haven’t approached him about enjoying first however Shelton isn’t against the concept, whereas Suwinski is open to the swap with the intention to enhance his versatility.
