BRADENTON, Fla. – Pablo Reyes has become the Cal Ripken Jr. of the Grapefruit League.
The rookie utility player has seemed to be in the lineup every day during spring training for the Pirates. And when he hasn’t been playing in exhibition games, the 25-year-old has been facing the Pirates’ starting pitchers in simulated games.
Clint Hurdle said he wanted to take a long look at Reyes before Grapefruit League play started and has lived up to his word. Reyes has made six appearances in center field, three at second base, two at shortstop and one in right field. He is 8-for-27 (.296) with two doubles and two home runs.
I jokingly suggested to Reyes that he might become the first player to ever amass 600 at-bats in the spring.
“That’s OK,” Reyes said. “I love to play baseball.”
The 5-foot-8, 175-pounder certainly has a sense of joy about him. The native of the Dominican Republic always seems to have a smile on his face and plays the game with hustle and flair.
Reyes overcame significant odds to make his major-league debut last Sept. 2. And he has a legitimate chance to be on the 25-man roster March 28 when the Pirates open the season against the Reds in Cincinnati.
The Pirates signed Reyes as an amateur international free agent in 2012 without fanfare. Few clubs had interest in the pint-sized shortstop, believing he was too small to ever make it to the major leagues.
Reyes also got next to no hype while coming up through the farm system. He never made anyone’s top-prospect lists and was considered an organizational depth player who could help fill out a minor-league roster because of his versatility.
Yet Reyes never bought into the idea that he was just another guy. He always believed he could play in the big leagues.
“It’s been my dream since I was a little boy,” Reyes said. “That’s why I’ve always worked hard.”
Reyes’ dream came true last September, and he made the most of his opportunity.
He appeared in 18 games, batting .293/.348/.483 with three home runs while making seven starts in right field, four in left field and two at third base. Reyes impressed defensively even though he has been primarily an infielder during his seven seasons in the minor leagues.
“For him to put up the quality at-bats that he did was impressive,” Hurdle said. “He did the defensive work. It was a good show. You only get one chance to make a first impression. He made a very favorable one.”
So favorable that Reyes is squarely in the mix to make the team. His fate likely hinges on the competition for the starting shortstop job between Erik Gonzalez and Kevin Newman.
If Gonzalez wins then Reyes will likely make the club in a bench role and Newman will be optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. However, if Newman gets the nod, Gonzalez will likely be the utility infielder and Reyes would be sent to Indy.
Also helping Reyes’ cause is that he is showing he can handle center field. The Pirates don’t have a true backup at the position to Starling Marte.
Reyes realizes he has no control over roster decisions and is just happy for the opportunity. At this time last year, he was just another non-roster player eating up innings late in exhibition games after the starters had been pulled.
“I prepared myself to make the club this year,” Reyes said. “I work hard every day. That’s the only thing I can control.”
Reyes played a full season in the Dominican Winter League to prepare for the opportunity. He appeared in 41 games and started at six positions: 15 at third base, seven at second base, six in left field, five in center field, four at shortstop and two in right field.
In the minor leagues, Reyes has played primarily in the infield with 172 starts at shortstop and 142 at second base. He’s also started 55 games in center field and 25 at third base while hitting .277/.352/.411 in 2,384 plate appearances.
Not surprisingly, shortstop is his favorite position. However, he admits he likes “to be able to run around and make plays” in center field and fully understands that his best chance of sticking in the major leagues is to remain versatile.
The Pirates place a large value on versatility, especially in an era where 13-man pitching staffs and four-man benches have become common in the National League.
“I spent my time in the Dominican over the winter practicing for all the different positions,” Reyes said. “I know that is what I have to do here. I tried to do everything I could to get ready for spring training. I’m here to help the club win games.
“When you are a utility guy, you have to practice at all the positions. You take advantage of the opportunities every day and do all you can do so you can help the team. I am working hard with this opportunity to help the team.”
He is opening eyes.
“I love the kid,” a scout from an NL team said. “He’s Mr. Excitement. He makes things happen. There’s an energy about him. You can put him anywhere on the field and he’s going to do a solid job for you. He’s a valuable guy to have on a club and he could have a nice career for himself.”