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Who will be the new lead off hitter?
With Frazier traded to the Padres the Pittsburgh Pirates will now need to find a new lead off hitter. What options do the Pirates have at the top of their lineup? Well, they do not exactly have many options nor do they have strong options.
Kevin Newman has experience batting lead off, including this season, but Newman has a woeful .256 on-base percentage and 4.8% walk rate this season. Both of these numbers are terrible. For his career, Newman owns just a .304 OBP and a 5.3% walk rate. Neither of these numbers are that of a lead off man and both are diluted by a flash in the pan 2019 season in which Newman posted a .353 OBP and a 5.3% walk rate. Outside of 2019 Newman has never been a good on-base man in the Majors or in the minors.
Outfielder Ben Gamel could be a player to watch at the lead off spot as well. In 199 plate appearances with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season Gamel owns a .333 OBP and a 10.1% walk rate. In 1599 career PAs Gamel owns a .331 OBP and a 9.3% walk rate. With his career on-base skills Gamel may prove to be the team’s best options for lead off in a post-Frazier world.
Derek Shelton could also look to go lead off by committee. On days he is in the lineup, especially against left-handed pitching, Wilmer Difo (.336 OBP, 8.2% walk rate) could bat lead off. There could also be a rotation of Newman, Gamel and Difo. Regardless of how it shakes out, Shelton is going to have a decision to make.
If only Travis Swaggerty were healthy…