Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential Designated Hitters in 2022

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PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 24: Michael Chavis #31 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the game at PNC Park on August 24, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Designated hitter by committee

The Pittsburgh Pirates could rotate players at the DH position as well. Let’s say Tsutsugo does settle in as the starter at first base, the team could then look to rotate other hitters at the DH position.

Assuming Kevin Newman still opens the season as the team’s starting shortstop, we covered earlier in the offseason how second base could also become a by committee position. This could have an impact on the DH spot.

Players such as Hoy Park, Diego Castillo, Michael Chavis, Tucupita Marcano, and Rodolfo Castro could all see starts at second base. However, this does create a scenario where there are more players to go around than at-bats available. This could lead to these players also getting reps at DH. Tsutsugo as the DH could also impact this group, as it would likely make Chavis the primary starter at first base.

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While Tsutsugo may be the best fit for DH the lack of any other real first base options could lead to the DH by committee approach. Sure, Chavis could play first base for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but it is far from clear if his bat should be in a MLB lineup on a daily basis.

By going DH at committee the Pirates could simply play the hot hand. This would allow them to continue to get which hitter is the hottest at the moment in the lineup, while also giving players such as Chavis, Park, Castillo, Castro, and Marcano enough ABs between DH/first base/second base to determine which ones could have big futures with the Pirates and which may not be parts of the long-term plans.

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