PITTSBURGH — The Pirates’ success with utility players over the last few years has been taken to something of an extreme with the construction of this season’s roster.
In Adam Frazier, Phil Gosselin, Alen Hanson and Josh Harrison, the Pirates have four players that can play second, third or an outfield corner. David Freese plays first and third. John Jaso and Josh Bell can both play in right or at first.
That makes for thousands of options for Clint Hurdle when it comes to making out the lineup card each day. It also makes for something of a headache for the players that have no idea where they may be called up or at what time.
Bell takes most of his extra work at first. Jaso is more apt to head to the outfield or third base. Gosselin has been working hard to backup Jordy Mercer at shortstop. But how does the team avoid five guys all standing at third base trying to get ground balls in batting practice? A little bit of planning and a lot of flexibility.
“We just rotate,” Gosselin said. “I try to get at least a couple of positions every day. I get some outfield stuff, too. … You can’t take them at every spot every day. It’s just too much.”
“If they have an idea of where we might play the next day or that day, we’ll get some extra work there before,” Frazier said. “[Saturday], I got a lot of extra work at second and it paid off.”
Frazier started three double plays at second base Saturday. He played there while usual second baseman Harrison was at third in place of the injured Freese. One of the things the team is still working through in the early part of the season is who should play where when certain groups of players are in the game. Sunday against the Braves, Frazier is playing third and Gosselin will make his first start of the season at second.
But that may not always be the case. On, Friday Harrison started the game at second base. After making an inning-ending double play in the eighth inning, he moved to third when Gosselin came in for the ninth.
“As the season gets on, we’ll probably have a little bit more defined roles like that, but for now, it’s just being ready to go anywhere at any time,” Gosselin said.
STARTING LINEUP
Game 5: #Pirates (2-2) vs Braves (1-4) pic.twitter.com/BClJAfLy9F
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) April 9, 2017
STEADY vs. FREDDIE
Gerrit Cole will make his second start of the season for the Pirates after giving up five runs in five innings in the opener in Boston. He’ll look to get back on track against the Braves, who will throw four lefties at Cole.
Cole’s career split for left-handers isn’t huge. He allows a .693 OPS to lefties compared to a .654 OPS for right-handers. But as far as power lefties go, Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman hasn’t been much of an issue. Freeman is 2 for 11 (.182) with an intentional walk and a hit batsman in his career against Cole.
NOTES
David Freese (left collarbone) is again available off the bench after not playing at all on Saturday. … Hurdle had no update on the availability of relievers Daniel Hudson and Tony Watson. … Catcher Chris Stewart will also be making his first appearance of the season.
