Pittsburgh Pirates: 2021 Infield & Catcher Player Grades

Sep 26, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Colin Moran (19) celebrates with catcher Jacob Stallings (58) and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (13) after hitting a three run home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Colin Moran (19) celebrates with catcher Jacob Stallings (58) and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (13) after hitting a three run home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Colin Moran #19 of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Colin Moran #19 of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Colin Moran

GRADE: C+

2021 Stats: 99 games, .258/.334/.390, 12 home runs, 50 RBI, -0.1 WAR

Due to injury, Colin Moran fell one game short of the century mark for games played. He was also very close to just quite literally being an average MLB played with his -0.1 WAR.

Moran went on an early season run production grind with 17 RBI in his first 25 games. He did a steady job of driving in runs in the last full season in 2019 too with 80 RBI. Moran can produce runs but doesn’t really get them via the home run.

As a corner infielder, his home run production lacks the profile of the typical player of that position.

Moran is also a heavy splits guy that bats infinitely better against righties than lefties. His average against lefties is .171 with a .553 OBP. Those kind of numbers won’t get you very far.

Moran is a very average first basemen defensively and doesn’t do anything extraordinary offensively. He is a steady hitter that would likely be a bottom-third bat on a good baseball team. He gets the fortune of being the Pirates’ cleanup guy on most nights.

I’d assume Moran at least starts the season in Pittsburgh next year. Mason Martin will soon be in Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Pirates could also resign Yoshi Tsutsugo which would also cut into Moran’s playing time.