The Pirates have had a gap in CF now for going on 3 years. We keep trying to find the right combination, and Suwinski and Bae were very good in 2023. That said, we are going into 2024 with doubts about CF again. Jack can play it defensively, but struggles against LHP's. The Pirates picked up Gilberto Celestino, 25, a RH hitter who played CF for the Twins in 2022 and then lost a lot of 2023 to a torn UCL in his Left Thumb. He has done well in ST for the Pirates - probably better than expected - is that enough for BC to recognize him as the RH hitting option in CF? Because he has played in MLB in parts of 3 seasons, he is out of options.
Waiting next is Jase Bowen who will be in AA in 2024, and then right behind him are Polanco, and Lonnie White, Jr, both of whom are very complete players offensively and defensively who will both be in A+ in 2024. Do we wait and play what we have or do we trade?
Got to at least give Jack a cpl mos as an everyday CF to see if he can manage .220 split v LHP. If strikeouts persist, Triolo should be able to play LF and bump Reynolds back to CF on LHP days. I like the idea of finding ways to get Triolo into the lineup 5 days a week at diff positions.
Huge season for Polanco. Fingers crossed that he does break through. He would fill a desperate need for a legit outfield prospect.
The Pirates have had a gap in CF now for going on 3 years. We keep trying to find the right combination, and Suwinski and Bae were very good in 2023. That said, we are going into 2024 with doubts about CF again. Jack can play it defensively, but struggles against LHP's. The Pirates picked up Gilberto Celestino, 25, a RH hitter who played CF for the Twins in 2022 and then lost a lot of 2023 to a torn UCL in his Left Thumb. He has done well in ST for the Pirates - probably better than expected - is that enough for BC to recognize him as the RH hitting option in CF? Because he has played in MLB in parts of 3 seasons, he is out of options.
Waiting next is Jase Bowen who will be in AA in 2024, and then right behind him are Polanco, and Lonnie White, Jr, both of whom are very complete players offensively and defensively who will both be in A+ in 2024. Do we wait and play what we have or do we trade?
Got to at least give Jack a cpl mos as an everyday CF to see if he can manage .220 split v LHP. If strikeouts persist, Triolo should be able to play LF and bump Reynolds back to CF on LHP days. I like the idea of finding ways to get Triolo into the lineup 5 days a week at diff positions.
I am Groot.
I hope he does better than Head and Siani in Greensboro too.