While it may seem like the Pirates’ center field platoon experiment lasted much longer than it should, the team still pulled the plug fairly quickly. Now, with Anthony Alford and Dustin Fowler having both cleared waivers, the team has the freedom to continue tinkering with that experiment without burning major league at-bats on guys that simply have never produced at the level.
“Sometimes, when you get in a major league setting and you get in ballparks, you’re trying to perform while you’re also trying to make adjustments, it can be challenging,” Derek Shelton said before Wednesday’s game against the Royals. “So, when you get out of the major league setting, and we outline things we can work on it can be a better situation.”
Alford cleared waivers Sunday and Fowler was cleared and optioned Wednesday. They were a combined 9-for-65 (.138) at the plate before both being designated for assignment during last week’s road trip. They’ll have another chance to contribute to the Pirates at the team’s alternate site before presumably beginning the minor league season with Class AAA Indianapolis next week.
Still, although it suits the Pirates that they can continue to work with players that they sunk a full offseason’s worth of time into, it’s not a great sign that no other team was willing to take a flier on two good athletes that play a premium position and were once held in high regard among the prospect ranks.
The moves indicate that the Pirates want Alford and Fowler. But the duo needs the Pirates. Part of the reason they had so many chances was the threat that another team might claim their services on waivers. But that threat doesn’t seem as significant the second time around.
Even with their struggles at the plate, it still wasn’t a simple or obvious decision to move on from both center fielders due to the present makeup of the roster. Before the team claimed Ka’ai Tom and activated him Tuesday, the Pirates had just two natural outfielders on the roster. It would have been beneficial to hold on to one of them at least for defensive purposes, but they just didn’t have the room on the roster.
Phillip Evans has filled in nicely at left field, although sometimes it’s been a bit of a thrill ride. And Bryan Reynolds has handled his shift to center terrifically thanks to his incredible athleticism.
Wilmer Difo, who, like Evans, is a natural infielder, is filling in for Gregory Polanco on Thursday against Royals left-hander Mike Minor. The switch-hitting utility man drove in the game-winning run with a bloop single in the seventh inning of Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory in the series opener.
Difo has primarily been used as a pinch hitter and is batting .268 on the season. Wednesday’s game is just his fourth start of the season.
MORE FROM PREGAME
• Pirates director of sports medicine, Todd Tomcyzk, provided injury updates on Ke'Bryan Hayes, Chad Kuhl, Steven Brault and more. That news was broken down right here.
• Mitch Keller is still developing in real time, but Shelton said that the Pirates have been weary of getting too far ahead of themselves with their potential ace. He had arguably his best outing of the year in his previous start against the Tigers, in which he got through an appearance without issuing a walk for the first time since Sept. 10, 2019.
• It’s been an inauspicious start to Todd Frazier’s tenure with the Pirates. But he’s giving Shelton a chance to give Colin Moran a day off against the southpaw Minor. Frazier has gone hitless in his first 14 at-bats this year.
“I think like we talked about, timing was going to be an issue,” Shelton said. “He’s had lengthy at-bats. So, the timing aspect of it comes, his at bats have been fine. It’s not like there’s anything glaring that we’re concerned about. He’s a veteran guy. He knows what he’s doing.”
Frazier got his chances as a designated hitter while the Pirates played games in American League ballparks during their recent road trip. But they won’t be able to use a DH again until the back end of the home-and-home series against the Royals at the end of May.
Moran, meanwhile, has had one of the better months among first baseman to start the season. He has just four hits in 20 at-bats against lefties and has appeared in all 23 of the Pirates’ games so far.
• After dropping usual lead-off hitter Adam Frazier to the No. 7 spot in the order in two games against lefties earlier in the month, Shelton kept him atop the order against Minor. Adam Frazier has five hits in his past 15 at-bats against southpaws after going 0-for-5 against lefties to start the season. He’s the only natural left-handed hitter in the lineup to face Minor.
• It’s been 13 days since Luis Oviedo appeared in a game for the Pirates. Shelton said that the nature of their recent stretch of games, of which they’ve won seven of their past 10, has not provided the low-leverage opportunity to deploy the 21-year-old Rule 5 pick.
“There are definite developmental things that we have outlined and are working on,” Shelton said, noting that Sean Poppen also hasn’t been used since April 17.
Whatever buttons are being pressed in the bullpen seem to be working. The Pirates’ relievers have a 1.80 ERA, second only to the Mariners’ 0.84 mark, since their 1-6 start to the season.
• With the minor league season a little more than a week away, and alternate site players getting more work at PNC Park, Cole Tucker has continued his skill-specific training in Florida.
“Physically, he’s in a really good spot,” Shelton said. “From the video I’ve seen of his work, it continues to get better. I would say he’s in a good spot.”
