Pittsburgh Pirates: Michael Chavis Should be in the Majors

Off to a strong start with Triple-A Indianapolis the newly acquired Michael Chavis should be at the Major League level with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Minutes before the MLB trade deadline on July 30 the Pittsburgh Pirates swung a trade with the Boston Red Sox. In this trade the Pirates sent struggling left-handed reliever Austin Davis to the Red Sox in exchange for a former first-round pick. This former first-round pick was the right-handed hitting Michael Chavis.

With the Red Sox, Chavis made his MLB debut in 2019. During that 2019 season Chavis had a strong 8.1% walk rate, .190 isolate slugging (ISO) and .444 slugging percentage. He hit 18 home runs, got on base at a .322 clip and collected extra base hits at an 8.5% rate.

Chavis did have some struggles in 2019, however. He struck out at a 33.2% rate which is much higher than you want to see. He also posted a wRC+ of just 96 which is 4% lower than the league average of 100.

Between the 2020 and 2021 seasons Chavis struggled with the Red Sox. Across 240 plate appearances Chavis hit for a .204/.242/.364 slash line to go with a 56 wRC+ and an ISO of just .160. Walking in just 3.8% of his trips to the plate, Chavis struck out in 34.2% of his trips to the plate.

Despite his struggles the Pittsburgh Pirates being interested in Chavis should not come as a surprise. After all, it was Cherington who was the general manager of the Red Sox when they drafted Chavis 26th overall in the 2014 MLB Draft.

Since joining the Pirate organization Chavis has been turning heads. Entering play on Tuesday he was hitting .450/.542/.950 to go with a 284 wRC+ in 24 PAs with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.

Monday night, the strong start to his tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates continued for Chavis. While went jut 1-for-4 for the Indians on Tuesday night, his lone hit was his 3rd home run since joining the Pirate organization.

The 3-run blast by Chavis was a walk-off hit for the Indians. This home run gave Indianapolis a 9-8 victory over the St. Paul Saints. This walk-off hit just continued the hot start to the Pirate career for the right-handed hitting Chavis.

It’s time for Chavis to be promoted to the Major League level.

When Chavis arrived with the Pittsburgh Pirates there was a strong argument to be made for him to go straight to the Major League roster. With him raking at the Triple-A level, as well as at-bats available in the Majors, it’s time fo Chavis to join their MLB roster.

Chavis can play first base, third base, second base and the corner outfield spots. With Ben Gamel on the injured list there are at-bats to be had in both left and right field. Chavis could also get at-bats at first, at least against lefties.

John Nogowski has been start at first base for the Pittsburgh Pirates with Colin Moran out. Now with Moran back, Nogowski has still been starting against left-handed pitchers. However, the career minor leaguer is currently in stuck in a 10-for-66 rut.

With Nogowski regressing back down to earth, it is time for Chavis to be promoted to the Majors. The rest of the 2021 season needs to be about the future for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Chavis could be part of this future, and it’s time for him to join their MLB roster.