Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Goals For Center Field This Season

VENICE, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Anthony Alford #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates swings at a pitch during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves during a spring training game at CoolToday Park on March 09, 2021 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
VENICE, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Anthony Alford #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates swings at a pitch during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves during a spring training game at CoolToday Park on March 09, 2021 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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Mar 10, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Jared Oliva (14) looks up after hitting a home run in the sixth inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Jared Oliva (14) looks up after hitting a home run in the sixth inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Goal Number Three – Figuring Out The Future

This one is more of a plead to the Pirate organization, but it still is a major goal that needs to be figured out. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, FIGURE OUT WHO THE CENTER FIELDER IS FOR THE FUTURE!! If you’re trying to make Oneil Cruz a center fielder, then do it. If t’s the aforementioned Oliva, then say it. If it’s Travis Swaggerty, then come out and tell us, if he isn’t in the system yet, then go find one.

People talk about the log jam in the middle infield, but I think there is just about the same size of a jam in the outfield and, in particular, in center field. So in 2021, I would like to see some sort of attempt at establishing who will be THE GUY for when the Pittsburgh Pirates start to make a push in 3-4 years.

dark. Next. Troy Stokes Jr. Making His Case

I personally think Cruz is going to stay put at shortstop, especially after hearing Cruz express his desire to stay there. That leaves us with guys like Oliva, Swaggerty, Hudson Head, Cal Mitchell, and a few others. I think maybe it’s my old school mentality, but center field is like the QB, and without one, it’s hard to win. Another reason could be we were spoiled with a guy like Cutch.