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Pittsburgh Pirates 2021 Rum Bunter Staff Preview: Marty Leap

By Marty Leap

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 05: Manager Derek Shelton of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during a spring training game at Phillies Spring Training Ball Park on March 05, 2021 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 05: Manager Derek Shelton of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during a spring training game at Phillies Spring Training Ball Park on March 05, 2021 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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GOODYEAR, AZ – February 28: Dustin Fowler #11 of the Oakland Athletics bats during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on February 28, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
GOODYEAR, AZ – February 28: Dustin Fowler #11 of the Oakland Athletics bats during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on February 28, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

2021 Pirate Breakout Player – Outfielder Dustin Fowler

Being the pick for 2021 Pirate Rookie of the Year, obviously, Yajure could have also been the pick for 2021’s breakout player. But for the sake of having both a breakout pitcher (Yajure) and hitter, this nod goes to outfielder Dustin Fowler.

Earlier this mont the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Fowler from the Oakland A’s in exchange for cash considerations. On many teams Fowler would have gotten a look on the active roster to start the 2021 season, but with the A’s outfield being crowded it led to Fowler being designated for assignment and the Pirates swooping in.

Fowler is a former top 100 prospect who headlined the Sonny Gray trade during the 2017-2018 offseason. During the 2018 season Fowler got a short look with the A’s, hitting for a .224/.256/.354 slash line to go with a wRC+ of 67 in 203 plate appearances.

Then during the 2019 season Fowler hit well at the Triple-A level. That season, Fowler hit for a .277/.333/.477 slash line to go with a 93 wRC+. He hit 25 home runs, posted a .200 ISO and collected 54 extra base hits.

So far this spring Fowler is 2-for-8 with a double. He has seen time both at designated hitter and in the outfield. Fowler is currently competing with Anthony Alford, Brian Goodwin and Jared Oliva for the starting job in center field. Of these four players, Fowler has the highest ceiling of the three.

It appears that Fowler is a safe bet to crack the Opening Day roster. If the Pirates were not interested in Fowler and did not have plans for him on the Opening Day roster, odds are, they would not have acquired him when he was DFA’d. Especially with the team arleady have three other options for just two open spots (center field and fourth outfielder) on the roster in the outfield.

Fowler also remains under team control through the 2023 season. With a breakout season in 2021, Fowler could hit his way into being part of both the Pirates’ present and future. As Fowler gets his first extended look in the Majors this season, look for him to put together a breakout season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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