
Utility Man JT Riddle
On December 2, 2019, the Miami Marlins non-tendered utility man JT Riddle. This made Riddle a free agent. On January 31, Riddle signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. This contract put Riddle under team control through the 2023 season.
Riddle may not be a slam dunk to make the Pirates roster when the regular season begins, but he seems like a safe bet. He can play shortstop, second base, center field, and third base. In his career, Riddle owns a +15 defensive runs saved at shortstop. With his plus glove at the position, he will likely begin the season as the team’s back up at the position.
While Riddle is a plus defender, the big knock on him is his offense. In 718 career plate appearances, Riddle owns a .229/.269/.368 slash line. His wRC+ is 69, he has hit for extra bases at just a 7.8% rate, his ISO is just .139, and he owns a lifetime 0.0 fWAR in three MLB seasons with the Fish.
It’s far from a guarantee that Riddle will finish the 2020 season on the Pirate roster. Although, the abbreviated season makes it more likely. Regardless, he will start the 2020 season as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates roster.