Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Players You May Have Forgotten the Team Added

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FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 29: JT Riddle #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at Century Link Sports Complex on February 29, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 29: JT Riddle #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at Century Link Sports Complex on February 29, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

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.

Next. Options for the Pirates at DH in 2020. dark

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.