Scouting the Pirates system 2023: Best Outfield Defense Tool

Taking a look at the best defensive outfielders in the Pirates system

‘Scouting the Pirates system’ is taking an in depth look at the players in the organization, and how has the best tools. Each article will highlight a different tool, with each writer on the site pitching in who they believe has the best.

Today we will be looking at some of the best defensive outfielders in the Pirates’ system.

Usually the best defending outfielder is put in center, and it shows here, as most players that we will mention play there.

Having speed certainly helps, so it wouldn’t be too surprising if some players overlap on that tool as well, but also a strong arm is required to keep baserunners honest about trying to take an extra base.

Lonnie White Jr.

It isn’t just his raw power that makes him such an intriguing prospect, but also his speed, especially when he applies it to playing center field. Both Fangraphs and Pipeline rate White’s speed as a double-plus tool (70 grade), and he uses it well in the outfield to chase down baseballs.

While his power potential would lead to believe he’s a candidate to play a corner outfield spot, he looks more than capable of holding down center field.

Then add in the fact he had six outfield assist in 54 games last year, he’s a very strong presence out there.

Shalin Polanco

He may not have the arm that White does, or the speed, but Polanco is still a great defensive center fielder, with great range. There were plenty of balls he tracked down in the gap and caught at the warning track that would have been serious trouble had they dropped.

An injury limited the amount of potential combined playing time between him and White to about a week, but the potential ground the two could cover next year in Greensboro will be fun to watch.

Connor Scott

This may be on the side of a ‘flashy’ pick, as there isn’t a player I can think of with as many highlight reel catches over the last two years as Connor Scott. He scaled a fence to rob a home run against Bowie in the ninth inning that would have been a walk off.

He’s made countless diving catches. The old DVR on P2 is probably littered with Scott catches he’s made.

Now I don’t think that necessarily makes him the best fielder, but certainly one of the more entertaining ones to watch.

Matt Gorski

He’s perhaps the best defensive center fielder in the upper levels, and you can make a case that includes the major league roster. You watch him play on TV, then look at his bio but you don’t get an actual idea at just how big he is until you see him in person.

Adding in the fact he can run the outfield like that, he’s easily one of the more under appreciated physical specimens in all of the minors. He’s got a cannon from center field as well, something that I thinks goes unnoticed at times.

WTM: Sergio Campana, Matt Gorski

For the defense, it’s Sergio Campana.  It’s a shame his bat hasn’t come around, because he has elite speed and tracks balls well in the outfield.  He’d be a legitimate center fielder if he started hitting.

For the arm, I’d go with Matt Gorski, although nobody really stands out to me here.