Pittsburgh Pirates Tavel to St. Louis for 2022 Opening Series

How will Derek Shelton fill out his lineup card?

There are plenty of questions surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates as the 2022 season gets ready to start. One of the biggest is what will the lineup look like? Especially with an injury late in spring training throwing a wrench into things.

Outfielder Greg Allen was one of the stars of Grapefruit League play for the Pirates. He was getting on base, hitting for power, stealing bases, all signs pointed to him winning the starting left field job. Hell, there is a real chance Allen would have been the team’s leadoff hitter. However, it appears that a hamstring injury he suffered over the weekend will and him on the injured list to start.

So, who will flank Bryan Reynolds in the outfield? Ben Gamel, at least against right-handed pitching, will have one of those spots. Could we see Cole Tucker in the other? Will the recently signed Jake Marisnick factor in? One would have to think that he will at least start against left-handed pitchers.

Speaking of Tucker, after the spring he had it will be tough to keep him out of the lineup to start the season. If he is not in the outfield odds are he will get plenty of at-bats at second base. However, Diego Castillo had an ever better spring than Tucker and led the Pirates with 6 home runs. Playing Castillo at second base with Tucker in the outfield certainly could be a possibility.

Additionally, who will hit at the top of the lineup? Tucker could be a factor there, as could Daniel Vogelbach due to his ability to extend at-bats and draw walks. Gamel could be an option for Shelton as well. Ke’Bryan Hayes hit over .300 as the leadoff last September. Could he return to the top of the lineup?

It will be interesting to see how Shelton manages his lineup early in the season.