Kiner-Falefa's value isn't found in just one facet, but defense stands out

Isiah Kiner-Falefa understands how important it is for him to be a sound defender on a game-to-game basis. Whether he's manning a position in the infield or roaming around in the outfield, his success as a big-league player is largely dependent on what he can contribute in the field. 

"I take a lot of pride in my defense and I work on it every day," Kiner-Falefa told me Saturday. "I think it's all about just being able to hone in and understand that if I don't hit, I need to play defense. I think having that floor really allows me to build and takes pressure off me when things aren't going my way." 

With Oneil Cruz nursing a sore ankle that limited him to designated hitter duties Saturday, Derek Shelton found comfort in knowing he could turn to a veteran like Kiner-Falefa in a time of need. He's the ultimate utility man, one with the capability of playing all over the field, including second base where he's spent most of his time since being acquired by the Pirates prior to the trade deadline. Kiner-Falefa has served as a more than suitable replacement in the absence of Nick Gonzales, but his ability to step in at short only adds to his value. 

"I think it's really important, and one of the other reasons we acquired him. Because we had been playing (Jared Triolo) there, and Tri had done a nice job, but he's not a natural shortstop," Shelton said. "So when you get a guy that's a natural shortstop -- although I really don't know what IKF is naturally. I mean, he came to the big leagues as a catcher and he's kind of moved all over. But, knowing that you have that defensive ability there and the ability to run the infield's extremely important." 

On Saturday afternoon, Kiner-Falefa was entrusted to take Cruz's spot at short and thrived both defensively and offensively, as the Pirates captured a 7-2 victory over the Mariners at PNC Park. 

It wasn't anything flashy, but Kiner-Falefa's most significant defensive contribution came just three batters into the second game of a weekend series against a Seattle team that has now lost five in a row. With Victor Robles on second after a leadoff single and a stolen base, Julio Rodriguez hit a sharp ground ball to Kiner-Falefa at short. He fielded it cleanly, gave a look toward first as Robles took off for third and quickly turned to his right before delivering a strike to Ke'Bryan Hayes for the second out of the inning:

The heads-up play, one a veteran like Kiner-Falefa normally makes a habit out of executing, was instrumental in helping the Pirates keep the game scoreless. If Kiner-Falefa goes to first, there's no guarantee he'll be able to gun down an above-average runner in Rodriguez. And even if he does get the out at first, then there's still a runner at third with two outs in the inning. Jorge Polanco followed Rodriguez with a two-out single, so it could have easily been an early one-run edge for the Mariners. These were all things running through Kiner-Falefa's mind as he fielded the ball and determined his next course of action. 

"It's a weird play with one out, but I understand with the way things have been going for us, we need to do anything we can to keep guys from scoring," Kiner-Falefa said. "Little things like that are going to help us get over the hump." 

Shelton lauded Kiner-Falefa for the way he went about his business without any sense of panic in a crucial situation. 

"I mean, that's a play that changes the course of the game because you go (a possible) first and third to a fact that there were two outs, runner at first," Shelton said. "So, it's just a smart baseball play." 

Kiner-Falefa's comfortability at shortstop stems from two seasons in which he made regular starts there for the Rangers in 2021 and Yankees in 2022. He started 156 games at shortstop in 2021 before adding 138 more starts while wearing pinstripes a year later. Kiner-Falefa, who primarily played second base with 15 starts over at short during his stint with the Blue Jays earlier this season, said his experience playing shortstop in New York helped him excel in different moments -- like the one in the first inning on this day -- where the game would speed up on him. 

"I think having them sped up on me in New York allowed me to hone in and understand that you have to lock it in every day," Kiner-Falefa said. "I kind of have a Game 7 mentality every day here. I'm hoping it rubs off on everybody." 

Kiner-Falefa's early production in a Pirates uniform hasn't been limited to his defensive contributions. Offensively, he's provided a spark regardless of where he's hit in the lineup. In 13 games this month, he's batting .296 (16 for 54) with an .814 OPS. He's added a home run, five RBIs and five runs scored and posted six multi-hit games, including two in this series win over the Mariners. His latest came in a 3-for-4 effort Saturday, one in which he led off the game with a solo blast that provided an early boost against Seattle starter Luis Castillo: 

“IKF’s a baseball player. I think we knew when we acquired him that there were so many different things he was going to provide for us," Shelton said. "Yesterday, he hit fourth just by the function of where our lineup’s at and had a big day. Today, he goes to the (leadoff spot) and gives us a spark right off the gate. This is the best pitching staff, collectively, starting pitching staff, in Seattle. To get us on the board right away against Castillo was huge.”

Shelton is quick to acknowledge the leadership and energy Kiner-Falefa provides, too. He's noticed it, and so have some of Kiner-Falefa's former coaches, two of which sent texts to Shelton following the deadline deal. The first line of both texts read, "You're going to love this guy. He brings energy every day." Says a lot about Kiner-Falefa and what he's been able to provide to multiple clubhouses during the course of his major-league career. 

"I don't know if he could have added a better person to our group," Shelton said. "Ton of energy. I think he's really good for the young players. He sees a lot of things. He's a smart baseball player." 

In addition to being a regular contributor in the field and at the plate, Kiner-Falefa welcomes the opportunity to bring energy every day while serving in a role as a veteran voice in the clubhouse. It's something he's seemingly embraced through two weeks with his new club and will look to continue in the future. 

“It’s a good opportunity here for me, so I’m excited to try and help lead this team," Kiner-Falefa said. "A lot of young players. It’s been nice to be somewhere where I feel I’m needed and wanted. I’m really excited to help these young guys because I feel like this team is really, really good and got the pieces to have something special here.”