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Pittsburgh Pirates: Options for Center Field Moving Forward
So far this season center field has been a disaster for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Moving forward, what could the team do to address the position?
Through the first 12 games of the 2021 MLB season the Pittsburgh Pirates own a 5-7 record. There are plenty of things that have gone well for the Pirates through the first 12 games of the season, as well as plenty that has gone wrong.
One area that has gone catastrophically wrong thus far for the Pittsburgh Pirates is the center field position. Anthony Alford was the Opening Day starter in center field and Dustin Fowler has gotten his fair share of starts as well. Wilmer Difo has also made one start in center field.
While the Pittsburgh Pirates are not looking to contend in 2021 they also can not continue to play players every day who are not even looking competitive at the Major League level. Unfortunately, thus far, that has been the case for Alford and to a lesser extent Fowler.
With the center fielders struggling, what could the Pittsburgh Pirates look to do in center field moving forward? Well, the team has a few different options of what they can do.
Stick with Anthony Alford & Dustin Fowler
This is not an option many fans would like or want to hear. However, it is a real option for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Both Alford and Fowler are former top-50 prospects who have plenty of untapped potential. While both are off to a slow start this season, it is just a 12 game sample size. This is far too small of a sample size to draw any huge conclusions.
In 23 plate appearances this season Alford is 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts. Yes, 15 strikeouts in 19 at-bats. That’s an unbelievable 65.2% strikeout rate. At this point, Alford looks overmatched and like he does not belong in the Majors. Honestly, it is hard to watch as Alford is a friend of the Rum Bunter Podcast and one of the best dudes you could ever talk to.
As for Fowler, the 26-year-old left-handed hitter is 5-for-27 this season. He has hit one double, walked once, been hit by a pitch and has struck out 12 times. While it is not as poor as Alford’s strikeout rate, Fowler’s 40.0% strikeout rate is still way too high.
Again, it is a small sample size this season and both Alford and Fowler are former top-100 prospects. Due to this the Pittsburgh Pirates could continue to give them opportunities in center field. However, it appears likely that something will change soon.
Recall Brian Goodwin From Alternate Training Site
In February the Pittsburgh Pirates signed veteran outfielder Brian Goodwin to a minor league contract. When Goodwin was signed, he appeared to be the frontrunner to be the starter in center field.
Well, Alford had a red hot Spring Training. The Pirates also swung a trade with the Oakland A’s to acquire Fowler. When these two things happened that changed the center field picture and led to Goodwin start the season at the team’s alternate training site.
While Goodwin will be a step down defensively in center field from Alford and Fowler, he could provide a big upgrade offensively. In his five MLB seasons Goodwin has hit for a .250/.317/.455 slash line to go with a .205 ISO and a 101 wRC+ in 1124 plate appearances.
Overall, Goodwin is a slightly above league average hitter (league average wRC+ is 100) in his MLB career. However, he would bring plus power potential to the Pirate lineup. Also, hey, right now league average or slightly above offensively would be a big improvement for the Pirates in center field.
To be honest, odds are probably pretty high that Pirate fans will see Goodwin join the team’s MLB roster soon. If Pirate outfielders continue to be among the worst position groups in baseball, look for Goodwin to join the roster sooner rather than later.
Shuffling Players Around
This hinges largely on Ke’Bryan Hayes getting healthy and getting back in the Pirate lineup. When that happens they will have to make a decision on how to keep the red hot Phillip Evans in the lineup every day.
One way to keep Evans in the lineup would be to move Bryan Reynolds from left field to center field. By doing this they can then start Evans in left field, while Hayes returns to his spot at the hot corner.
While an outfield with Evans in left field and Reynolds in center field may be a poor defensive one, it would give the Pirates their best offensive lineup. Another factor here is what Gregory Polanco does. After a slow start, Polanco now owns a 20.5% walk rate and 100 wRC+. In Wednesday night’s victory he looked the best he has all season at the plate going 2-for-2 with a home run and a pair of walks.
If Polanco is hitting he will play. Period. If not, Evans could then go to right field, leaving Reynolds in left field and keeping center field a big question mark.
Next. Colin Moran Off to a Solid Start. dark
Regardless of what they do, the Pittsburgh Pirates need to figure something out for center field. The production they are currently getting from Alford and Fowler is not good enough. If neither of them being to produce they will need to go in another direction until center fielder of the future Travis Swaggerty is MLB ready, which could be as soon as this August or September.