Poll: Grading the 2023 Pirates -- Infield
The loss of Oneil Cruz cast a long shadow over the season
Apart from the rotation in the last two months, the infield was probably the most confused part of the team. How do you grade players who were playing out of position more often than not? I’ll leave that up to you.
Innings played, by position:
First Base
Carlos Santana - 721.1
Connor Joe - 343.2
Alfonso Rivas - 254.2
Ji Man Choi - 56
Jared Triolo - 52.1
Endy Rodriguez - 2
Second Base
Ji Hwan Bae - 465.1
Nick Gonzales - 230.2
Liover Peguero - 208.2
Rodolfo Castro - 207.2
Mark Mathias - 115
Tucupita Marcano - 89.2
Jared Triolo - 87
Vinny Capra - 26
Third Base
Ke’Bryan Hayes - 1037.2
Jared Triolo - 309.1
Rodolfo Castro - 51
Vinny Capra - 20
Drew Maggi - 11
Tucupita Marcano - 1
Shortstop
Tucupita Marcano - 390
Alika Williams - 301.2
Liover Peguero - 284.1
Rodolfo Castro - 234
Oneil Cruz - 73
Chris Owings - 64
Nick Gonzales - 59
Ji Hwan Bae - 24
AFL Update
Another day at the office for Jase Bowen in the Arizona Fall League. He picked up two more hits, including a three-run home go-ahed home run in the top of the ninth inning.
It was his second home run of the fall, and now has 13 RBI as well.
JC Flowers pitched an inning out of the bullpen, striking out a batter. Cameron Junker and Nick Dombkowski also pitched for the Rafters.
Fwiw, fWAR by position:
1B - 10th
2B - 29th
3B - 3rd
SS - 30th
A lot of the 1B ranking is Joe. For some reason, probably just by chance, he hit way better playing there than in the OF.
Obviously, the middle IF was horrible. A lot of it was the defense before Peguero and Williams came along. It was Hedges-offense level atrocious.
Looking at the innings share in the MIF was really eye opening. Feels like the team should be better by default getting Cruz back, obviously.
This may stir the pot a bit, but I wouldn't be opposed, depending on what's out there, going out and bringing in another 2B. Peguero showed bits and pieces, but was still ultimately a free swinger like he's always been.
Nick Gonzales was kind of exactly the player we thought he'd be with his struggles in the minors.
Triolo hit well, but are we really 100% sold he is the answer as a starter? Or is he just better as a super-utility guy?
There are some spots I feel like are 'locked up' going into next year, I'm not sure 2B is, and if you really want to go into a year where you SHOULD be making that jump with a 'let's throw all these guys against a wall and see who sticks'.