A failed PED test has left the Pittsburgh Pirates losing one of their utility depth pieces for the first half of the 2020 season.
In a recent development, Pittsburgh Pirates utility man Pablo Reyes has been given an 80 game suspension following a failed performance enhancing drug test. The drug boldenone was found in his system and was promptly given his punishment.
The right-handed batter was designated for assignment back on January 9th to make roster room for recent signee, outfielder Guillermo Heredia. He was then outrighted and set to Indianapolis on the 17th. Reyes has seen time at the major league level in the past two seasons with varying results. Last year, he slashed just .203/.274/.322 with a 58 OPS+ through 157 plate appearances. In the field, Reyes got innings mainly in the outfield, but also got some innings at second base, third base, and shortstop. However, the only position he graded out as above average in was left field with 1 DRS, and 1.1 UZR.
Back during 2018, Pablo saw his first big league action and did pretty well though a September call-up. Although he was limited to just 63 plate appearances, he hit for a solid .293/.349/.483 with 3 home runs and two doubles. Overall, he had a 126 OPS+.
While his major league numbers weren’t great, he has done well in Triple-A. In 191 plate appearances in Indianapolis last season, he hit for a .286/.342/.543 line. Despite having fewer than 200 plate appearances, Reyes’ 10 long balls tied the second-most in a single season for his career. Reyes continued to show decent speed, swiping 5 bags along the way. Overall, he has a .812 OPS, 18 home runs, and 18 stolen bases at the Triple-A level.
The 26-year-old Reyes likely wasn’t going to play a role in the 2020 season, but this will hurt the team’s utility depth for most of the season. Reyes was originally signed as a shortstop but was moved to second base part-time in 2013.
In 2017, Reyes got to see a lot more time in the outfield. In the following season, Reyes started to get semi-regular reps at third base, further expanding his versatility. Currently, Reyes has over 500 professional innings at third base, second base, shortstop, left field, and center field.