Pittsburgh Pirates Opening Day Roster Prediction

Infielders – Ke’Bryan Hayes, Kevin Newman, Cole Tucker, Yoshi Tsutsugo, Daniel Vogelbach

Once Oneil Cruz was optioned to Triple-A last week the infield picture started ot become clear. Ke’Bryan Hayes will obviously be the team’s third baseman, while Yoshi Tsutsugo and Daniel Vogelbach will share the duties at first base and as the team’s designated hitter.

Cruz being optioned solidified that Kevin Newman will return for his fourth consecutive season as the team’s starting shortstop. With the spring he has had it is hard ot envision Cole Tucker not being the starter at second base. The former first-round pick has posted a .926 OPS this spring, to go with a pair of home runs and a total of 4 extra base hits. He has also gotten on base at a .333 clip.

What might be most encouraging is Tucker’s new stance/swing. His swing is more compact and gets through the zone quicker. Additionally, he is incorporating his lower body into his swing more which is helping him to generate more power and drive the ball more. It is worth giving him one last chance.

By the mid-to-late summer the Pirate infield could look much different, especially the middle infield. There is definitely a scenario where Hayes is the only one of the group that is still a starter come August.

Hell, odds seem to be high that Cruz could join the bunch within the next couple of weeks. But for now, look for an infield of Hayes-Newman-Tucker-Tsutsugo/Vogelbach, with one of the latter serving as the team’s designated hitter.