Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential Roles for Troy Stokes Jr. in 2021

LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Troy Stokes Jr. #55 of the Detroit Tigers bats during the Spring Training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The game ended in an 8-8 tie. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Troy Stokes Jr. #55 of the Detroit Tigers bats during the Spring Training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The game ended in an 8-8 tie. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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After being claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday afternoon, what are some potential roles for Troy Stokes Jr. in 2021?

One position the Pittsburgh Pirates needed to address on their MLB roster this offseason was the outfield. Tuesday afternoon, the Pirates made a move that could potentially impact the MLB outfield in 2021. This move was claiming Troy Stokes Jr. off waivers.

Bryan Reynolds will be in left field for the Pirates in 2021. Outside of left field, there is nothing set in stone with the outfield for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021. Anthony Alford and Jared Olvia are currently slated to battle for time in center field and Gergory Polanco will start in right field, at least against right-handed pitching.

Odds are, if Olvia does not win the starting job in center field then he will start the season at Triple-A. This is due to at this point of his career Oliva is better served playing every day at Triple-A than being a bench player with a MLB club.

This could help open the door for Stokes Jr. as the team’s fourth outfielder in 2021. He could also help spell Polanco in right field against left-handed pitching. Although, Phillip Evans could be a factor for that role as well.

Stokes Jr. also has a pair of minor league options remaining. Due to his, there is also a high possiblity that he starts the 2021 season with Triple-A Indianapolis. Especially if the Pittsburgh Pirates add another outfielder this offseason, which seems likely.

Even if Stokes Jr. starts the 2021 season at the Triple-A level, he will have an opportunity to impact the Pirates. If there are injuries in the outfield, or if the team is in need of bench help, 8Stokes Jr. would likely be one of the first potential call ups by the Bucs.

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While he has always hit well in the minors, Stokes Jr. has yet to make his MLB debut. This could also work against him in his effort to make the Pirate roster out of Spring Training. That said, if he performs well in the Grapefruit League then Stokes Jr. will have a great chance to make the roster as the team’s fourth outfielder in 2021.