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Pittsburgh Pirates: Wilmer Difo Among MLB’s Best Pinch Hitters
By Marty Leap
Few players in baseball have been a better pinch hitter this season than switch hitting Pittsburgh Pirates utility man Wilmer Difo
Signed as a minor league free agent on January 15, 2021, Wilmer Difo appeared to be a player the Pittsburgh Pirates were added for infield depth. At the time of the signing it appeared that Difo was a safe bet to crack the team’s Opening Day roster. However, this would not be the case.
Difo started the season at the organization’s alternate training site. Two days into the season Difo was added to the active roster of the Pittsburgh Pirates when Ke’Bryan Hayes was placed on the injured list.
On June 8 Difo was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and reported to Triple-A Indianapolis. Less than a month later, Difo returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates in July 2. Since then, Difo has done nothing but solidify his spot with the Pirates.
So far this season Difo has accumulated 123 plate appearances with the Pirates. In these 123 PAs Difo has hit for a .292/.350/.460 slash line to go with a 121 wRC+, .168 isolate slugging (ISO) and an extra base hit rate of 8.9%. All of these are new career highs for Difo who is putting together the best season of his MLB career.
While Difo has had a great season overall, he has excelled as a pinch hitter. His most recent pinch hitting escapades was a pinch-hit 3-run home run as part of a historic comeback victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the New York Mets on Saturday night.
Throughout the season, Difo has been one of the best pinch hitters in baseball. This has made him a great weapon off of the bench for the Pirates. In 33 PAs as a pinch hitter this season Difo is hitting for a .323/.364/.613 slash line as a pinch hitter.
Pinch hitting, Difo has posted a strong 160 wRC+ to go with a 6.1% walk rate. He has hit a pair of pins hit home runs and owns a 12.1% extra base hit rate as a pinch hitter the season. Simply put, Difo has been one of the best pinch hitters in baseball this season.
Next. Bucs Facing a Decision With Cody Bolton. dark
Difo can play third base, shortstop, second base and all three outfield spots. He remains under team control through next season and is having the best season of his MLB career. All of this could lead to Difo being a key bench piece for the Pirates both through the rest of this season, as well as into next season.