This winter has unexpectedly turned into the Jose Osuna highlight show, with long homers and web gems. On Saturday night in Venezuela, he connected on his ninth home run(video at bottom of page), most among all Pirates’ players. He finished the game 2-for-4, driving in two runs. While searching for video of his home run, I found this video(right below) of him making a nice catch in the outfield. Known as a first baseman who plays outfield, Osuna has made a couple highlight reel plays in the outfield this winter, including this game-ending catch. He also has a .928 OPS, which ranks third in the league. This is all coming from the same player who went 3-for-26 last winter, rarely seeing playing time after the first couple weeks.
I mentioned yesterday that Elias Diaz needs to pick it up with bat this winter, as his stats are well off what you would expect from him in this league. He must have got the message, as he went 3-for-4 with a run scored. There have been no complaints about his defense and on Saturday he picked-off a runner at second base. He also got credit for a caught stealing, though it was just a failed attempt to steal home.
Robert Zarate made his first start since signing with the Pirates early last week. He went five innings, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks, with six strikeouts. He has a 2.45 ERA this winter in 44 innings, with a .239 BAA and a 1.78 GO/AO ratio. Zarate had some control issues early this winter, but he’s issued just two walks in his last 18 innings.
In the Dominican, Mel Rojas Jr. went 1-for-4 with a single, keeping his average at .235 this winter. After Gustavo Nunez went 2-for-3 with two runs and a walk on Saturday, raising his average to .243, Rojas now has the second lowest average among all qualified hitters(minimum 132 plate appearances). Nunez and Rojas were the only Pirates to see action on Saturday in the Dominican.
In Australia, Sam Kennelly started all four games this weekend at shortstop. He went 0-for-2 on Sunday, reaching base via hit-by-pitch.
In Puerto Rico, Danny Ortiz went 1-for-2 with a walk, continuing his recent hot streak. He also picked up his fourth outfield assist since signing with the Pirates. Ortiz has a .939 OPS in his last ten games.
In Mexico, Luis Heredia faced three batters, giving up a single, while getting a grounder back to the mound and a strikeout. He threw eight pitches, seven for strikes. Heredia has made 14 appearances, posting a 4.42 ERA over 18.1 innings, with 13 hits, 13 walks and ten strikeouts.
Carlos Munoz went 1-for-2 with two walks. It was a rare productive game for Munoz, who has hit .162 over the last month(before Saturday) with an OPS near the .400 mark.
Here is Osuna’s Home Run.
