Pittsburgh Pirates: Two Hypothetical Richard Rodriguez Trade Proposals

Proposal #2

Since Ben Cherington hasn’t really done any one-for-one type swaps, the chances the Pittsburgh Pirates do more of a multi-player deal are more likely. In this proposal, the headliner of the deal would be slugging backstop Richardo Genoves.

The Giants could part with Genoves as they have two very highly touted catching prospects already in the system. Both 2018 first-rounder Joey Bart and 2020 first-round pick Patrick Bailey are among the team’s highest-ranking prospects. Plus they may retain former MVP and current catcher fWAR leader Buster Posey.

Genoves had a very solid 2019 season. Through 218 plate appearances, he hit .265/.335/.469 line with a .352 wOBA. Genoves showed some good plate discipline as well. Though he only had a 7.8% walk rate, he struck out at just an 18.8% rate. He showed decent power too with a .204 isolated slugging percentage and was on pace for 24 home runs, and 30 doubles.

So far this season he’s been an even better hitter. Through 120 plate appearances at High-A the 22-year-old is hitting .314/.400/.505 with a .412 wOBA and 147 wRC+. Much of his success has to do with his outstanding batted ball results. He’s hitting line drives at a 23.5% rate and fly balls 50.6% of the time. He also has a sub-30% ground ball rate, sitting with a 25.9% mark. Genoves is showing decent power again, having a .190 ISO and on pace for 25 home runs. Plus, he’s kept his walk rate below 20% at 19.2% and has seen his walk rate increase to 10%.

Genoves definitely has good power potential. Though he only has a 45-future game power grade right now, he has a 55-current and 60-future raw power grade. This stems from his good ISO the past 2 seasons, as well as his 90 MPH exit velocity, and 48% hard-hit rate from 2019. As a defender, he’s seen as a catcher with average defensive ability at the very least, but a powerful arm. His hit tool is seen as a 45-grade tool in the future as well.

The second part of this trade would be Sean Hjelle. The towering, Randy Johnson-like 6’11″ right-hander has been very solid throughout the minors for the Giants. In 2019, their 2018 second-round pick pitched to the tune of a 3.32 ERA, 2.85 FIP and 1.31 WHIP in 143.2 innings of work. Two things would have made Hjelle’s numbers look a lot better. One, he hit 15 batters which inflated his FIP. Two, he struggled once he was promoted to Double-A. However, it was only in 25 innings, he allowed just a single home run, had a .430 opponent batting average on balls in play, while still carrying a strong 3.33 FIP and 3.59 xFIP.

Hjelle didn’t strike out many batters with a 22.5% strikeout rate, but kept walks to a minimum, allowing free passes at a 6% rate. Plus, he only gave up 6 home runs for a 0.38 HR/9 rate. He had a GB% well above 60% at Low-A and High-A, while still having a strong 47.7% ground ball rate when he was promoted to Double-A.

This season the 24-year-old has tossed 33 innings, posting a 3.51 ERA, 4.03 FIP and 1.26 WHIP. Hjelle is striking out batters at a much higher 28.8% rate. This hasn’t affected his control though with a 6.2% walk rate. Home runs have been an issue for him though. His 1.36 HR/9 rate is nearly a whole home run higher than his 2019 mark. However, this could be a temporary issue. His ground ball rate of 56.3% suggests that this could be a short-term problem. Plus 3 of the 5 home runs he has surrendered this year came in his first outing of the season. In his last 29.2 innings, he’s only allowed 2. Hjelle’s 3.13 xFIP is more representative of his contributions this year.

Hjelle has a solid pitch arsenal. His first offering is a four-seam fastball. He isn’t a flame thrower, averaging out in the 92-94 MPH range and topping out at 96 MPH. However, the pitch plays up given his size and extension. Plus he has decent spin, averaging 2500 RPM. FanGraphs sees this as an average offering with a 50-future grade, but MLB Pipeline sees it as a 55-offering. His curveball is another average offering per FanGraphs and an above-average offering by Pipeline. It’s more of a knuckle-curve, but another effective pitch. Finally, there’s his change-up, a third offering that FanGraphs sees as average, as well as MLB Pipeline.

Unlike many pitchers his size, Hjelle has above-average command and control. FanGraphs sees his control as a 55-grade tool in the future. Meanwhile, MLB Pipeline gives his control a 55-grade as well.

Hjelle doesn’t fit the mold of many pitchers his size. Instead of overpowering stuff that sits in the upper 90’s, making up for his control, he’s more of a control and finesse type guy. Still, he’s getting swings and misses while not allowing home runs.

This trade would get the Pittsburgh Pirates a backstop with some power and a pitcher who’s MLB ready. Though Genoves doesn’t have the same ceiling as Toribio when it comes to hitting, he should still be a solid big league hitter. Getting solid defense, as well as good offense from the catching position, is extremely promising. Hjelle could slot into a rotation spot before the end of the season. This would give the Bucs another promising pitcher they could rely on for the future.