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Pittsburgh Pirates: Time to Cut Ties With the Veterans
By Marty Leap
Designate Josh VanMeter for assignment, re-call Tucupita Marcano
Tsutsugo has been the worst player for the Pirates this season, but the second worst has been utility man Josh VanMeter. He has hit for a woeful .184/.267/.296 slash line and 61 wRC+ this season.
VanMeter has struggled defensively at second base, third base and first base. Both his average exit velocity and hard hit rate are below league average. No matter how you paint it VanMeter has been terrible and he should be designated for assignment.
Before he was optioned back to the minor leagues last month, utility man Tucupita Marcano was hitting for a .229/.280/.357 slash line to go with a wRC+ of 80 and an OPS+ of 79 in the majors. However, he was walking at a 7% clip and his average exit velocity of 86 MPH was higher than league average. He also played strong defense for the Pirates.
Since returning to the minors Marcano has hit for a .362/.433/.500 slash line to go with an 11.9% walk rate, just a 14.9% strikeout rate and a 152 wRC+ in 67 PAs with Triple-A Indy. He has more than earned his re-call to the majors, and the Pittsburgh Pirates need to be find ways to get him at-bats in the majors.