Morning Rundown: Henry Davis finishing strong, Jared Triolo leadoff, Johan Oviedo
Davis extends hit streak, Triolo bats leadoff for first time in majors, Oviedo's outlook.
While he’s shown some flashes of his hitting ability, overall it’s been a rough adjustment to the major league level for Henry Davis.
Heading into the last couple of games this season, Davis has an OPS of .670 in 59 games played with the Pirates.
It was more of the same originally coming back off the injured list, going 0-for-7 with six strikeouts in his first two games.
That being said, Davis has picked up a hit in every game since, extending it out to six after his single on Wednesday. He’s also flashing some power as well, picking up two home runs and four doubles in that time frame.
But it’s coming at a cost.
In 31 at-bats since returning from the injured list, Davis has struck out 16 times. Even when throwing out the first two games, he’s still been rung up on strikes in 10 of the 24 at-bats during his hitting streak.
One of the things that really helped him take his game to the next level in the minors was his plate discipline, but it seems like he’s selling out currently for the added power.
Jared Triolo leadoff
For the first time at the major league level Jared Triolo batted out of the leadoff spot. In true Triolo fashion, he responded by reaching base four times, including two walks and also added a stolen base (six now in the majors).
Triolo’s approach at the plate has always favored him batting in the leadoff spot, and he showed a little bit why on Wednesday. Last year in Altoona, Triolo slashed .311/.404/.480 batting first in the lineup.
Maybe he doesn’t have the traditional power you’d like to see, but he’s one of the best contact hitters in the entire organization.
All or nothing Oviedo
There’s a nice little statistic going around where Johan Oviedo is among the major league leaders in starts allowing zero or one run, which for a pitcher in his first full season as a starter, is impressive.
That’s obviously a great thing to see, but also doesn’t tell the entire story of his season.
Oviedo finished the season with 15 starts that he either allowed zero or one run in, but also had 11 where he surrendered four or more.
Control is a big reasoning as to the all or nothing results he’s seen on the mound, and we a little of that on Wednesday.
He walked one and hit another in the four run fourth inning.
Oviedo pitched himself into a rotation spot going into 2024, finishing behind Mitch Keller when it comes to innings pitched, and one win shy of 10 on the season.
Really impressed with the way Jared Triolo has adapted to the game at the MLB level - I liked him a lot coming through the minors, but the numbers at MLB are truly eye-opening. In 50 Games he has a 1.7 fWAR ($13.6 mil Value) with almost equal parts offense and his defense at 3B, 2B, and now at 1B (he has also played SS and OF in the minors). Definitely a keeper in the starting lineup moving into 2024, and at 6'3" 212, he is the Pirates version of the Yankee's DJ LeMahieu.
Some interesting Statcast info - highest Exit Velo in last night's game - Liover Peguero 108.9 mph groundout. He also had another groundout at 104.5 mph. In Pitching "Swings and Misses' Oviedo led all pitchers with 12, and very notable were Relievers Colin Selby with 5, and Hunter Stratton with 4. Selby threw 19 total pitches, and Stratton 11 total pitches. The Pirates BP keeps getting deeper.
One that got away from everybody except the Phillies - Orion Kerkering a 5th Round pick of Philly in 2022 who went from the FCL through all the stops this year along the way to the majors. He owns a Slider rated 60/70 that he throws 91% of the time!
Some NL Central comments: With the loss last night, the Cardinals clinched last place in the division. Cubs and Reds are currently outside looking in to the wild card. If my team can't win, I'm happy those teams feel some pain as well. Is it awful that I'm inclined to root for the Marlins this weekend?