Troy Stokes Jr. thought he had his first big-league hit Sunday. That was, until it was taken away from him.
Batting in the first, he hit a slow roller to short, but reached on an errant throw. Originally, it was called an infield single and an error.
About the third inning, he looked up at the scoreboard and saw he was just 0-for-1.
“Yikes, that kind of sucks,” he thought.
On Tuesday, he finally checked that box with an honest to goodness base hit to left in the fourth inning:
Back in Chicago, when he thought he was 1-for-1 in his career, Derek Shelton told him back at the dugout that “anybody can get one, now you have to get two.”
So, for good measure, Stokes picked up his second hit of the night on an eighth-inning double down the left field line. All told, he went 2-for-3 on the night with a pair of RBIs in the Pirates’ 7-2 win over the Reds Tuesday at PNC Park.
That should help put him at ease and let him have the good night sleep he didn’t have Monday night.
“I’d be lying if I told you it wasn’t weighing on my mind a little bit,” Stokes said. “Now that it’s over with, it feels good.”
It wasn’t like he was overmatched in his first two starts. He showed sparks of what once made him one of the Brewers’ top prospects, including a diving catch in right in his first game in Chicago and a stolen base Tuesday. He now has a couple hits to go with it.
“We’ve seen him take some good swings and not get any results on it,” Shelton said. “Tonight, two good swings.”
It’s been a long couple of years to get that shot. Stokes was technically on the Tigers’ roster for most of last season, but a broken hamate forced him to spend the year on the injured list. That was sandwiched between being designated for assignment three times in a 16 month span, including by the Pirates in January.
He cleared waivers with the Pirates and was invited to spring training the following month, where he left a good impression, even if he didn’t have a chance of making the opening day team. The Pirates’ outfield plans were quickly upended though, and after Colin Moran was placed on the injured list Sunday, the Pirates gave Stokes his shot in the majors.
“He's kind of a quiet guy, but he's got a quiet confidence,” Adam Frazier said about the rookie.
That’s just the way Stokes plays. Big smile, hustle and lots of energy.
“I just try to have fun,” Stokes said. “Growing up, my father always told me to be relaxed. Everyone tells me, just have fun with it. That’s how I approach the game. If it’s a rough day at the plate or whatever, I look for ways to help the team. I just bring energy.”
There’s no guarantee for how long Stokes’ first true stint in the majors will be. The Pirates activated Gregory Polanco off the injured list Tuesday, and recently claimed outfielder Ben Gamel has been with the team since Monday. With Ka’ai Tom getting a look in left, the Pirates currently have five outfielders on their roster. The Pirates have opted for 14 pitches this year, meaning it’s a short bench that might not be able to accommodate all those outfielders.
Regardless, Stokes is leaving another good impression, like he did in Bradenton, Fla.
“Lot of good things happening,” Shelton said. “It’s just an opportunity for him to grasp the opportunity.”
And he’s got that first hit under his belt. Two “first” hits, actually, if you want to get technical.
So which ball goes on the mantle?
“The official one,” he said with a smile.