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Pittsburgh Pirates: What’s Next at Second Base
After trading Kevin Newman last week, what could be the next move for the Pittsburgh Pirates at second base?
Entering the offseason the expectation was that Kevin Newman would not be back with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023. Regardless if it came due to a trade or being non-tendered, few people expected Newman to still be with the team when they report to Bradenton in February.
Well, last Friday, Newman was indeed tendered a contract by the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, just a few hours later he was traded in a rarer inner-division trade when he was sent to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for reliever Dauri Moreta who the Pirates will now look to help harness his plus stuff and turn a corner.
As we said above, Newman being traded came as no surprise. The former first-round pick has struggled defensively in his career at both shortstop and second base, owning a negative Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average at both positions, largely due to his limited range. Outside of his rookie campaign in 2019, which looks like a complete outlier when comparing his minor league numbers and the rest of his major league numbers, Newman has also been a very poor hitter in his career.
Due to all of this, Newman lost his shortstop job to Oneil Cruz. Newman then started to play more second base, but now that Newman is no longer a Pirate what will with the team look to do at second base for 2023?
Current 40-man roster options
Looking at the team’s current 40-man roster there are three main options that jump out. They are Rodolfo Castro, Tucuptia Marcano, and Diego Castillo.
If anyone is going to enter the spring with a leg up on the competition at second base it might be Castro. Down the stretch last season he was playing second base as much as anyone for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and finished the season with a .233/.299/.427 slash line, 102 wRC+ and OPS+ in 278 plate appearances.
After being re-called from the minor leagues on August 10th Castro put together what is the best stretch of his MLB career thus far. In 196 PAs he hit for a .251/.311/.486 slash line with a 121 wRC+ and an isolated slugging (ISO) of .235.
At one point last season it looked like Marcano might be on his way to winning the second base job. Marcano hit for a .262/.318/.410 slash line with a 105 wRC+ in his first 68 plate appearances of the season. Most of these PAs came with him playing second base.
However, right as Marcano appeared to be taking off he landed on the injured list and struggled offensively afterward. After struggling post-IL stint, Marcano finished the season with a .206/.256/.306 slash line, 57 wRC+ and an OPS+ of 58.
One thing to keep in mind with Marcano however is his age. He just turned 23 in mid-September. So, there is reason to believe there is still a lot of growth in him as a player. Especially as a hitter. He was a plus defender at second base posting a +2 DRS and +3 OAA. It’s hard to envision Marcano not cracking the Opening Day roster as at least a utility player, which could lead to him seeing plenty of playing time at second base.
Castillo was one of the stars of spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season as he hit his way onto the Opening Day roster. However, he struggled offensively in the regular season hitting for a .206/.251/.382 slash line, 73 wRC+ and a 76 OPS+. Castillo did flash some power potential though hitting 11 home runs with 13 doubles in just 260 at-bats.
Castillo may have the softest hands of the bunch and could be a plus defender at the position. That said, due to his offensive struggles it’s hard to envision Castillo being an every day player but him making the Opening Day roster as a utility man again would not be a surprise.
Of this trio, Castro is the most likely to begin the season as the starting second baseman. To be honest, as of now it would be a surprise if he’s not the second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day.
Potential free agent targets
It is unlikely that the Pittsburgh Pirates go the free agent route at second base. More than likely, they will want to see what Castro or Marcano can do with an extended look at the position. That said, if they were to look for free agent help at the position who could they target?
Brandon Drury could be one potential option. Especially since Drury can play all over the diamond, adding to the value he would bring to the Pirates. Last season was a career year for Drury as he smashed 28 home runs while posting a 123 wRC+.
Switch-hitting veteran Cesar Hernandez could be a target as well. A potential buy low bounce back candidate, Hernandez hit for just a .248/.311/.318 slash line to go with a wRC+ of 79 last season. Outside of 2013 and 2014 when Hernandez had just 256 combined PAs, 2022 was the worst season of his career.
What about a reunion with Josh Harrison? The ex-Pirate is coming off a very J-Hay like season. While playing plus defense at multiple positions, Harrison hit for a .256/.317/.370 slash line with a 98 wRC+ last season. Like Drury, Harrison’s ability to play multiple positions could increase his value with the Bucs.
Again, it appears unlikely the Pirates will go this route due to the young internal options they have that they will likely want to see with extended playing time. But, if Ben Cherington and Derek Shelton are not sold on any of the internal options and decide to look to free agency these could be potential targets.
Nick Gonzales, Liover Peguero could be waiting in the wings
All of this may prove to be a moot point. 2020 first-round pick Nick Gonzales may still be viewed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as their second baseman of the future. If not Gonzales, it could be top 100 middle infield prospect Liover Peguero.
Gonzales missed time due to injury last season, but still hit for a .263/.383/.429 slash line and a 127 wRC+ in 316 PAs at Double-A Altoona. Most encouraging was Gonzales overcoming early season struggles, especially with the swing-and-miss, to finish the season strong.
Gonzales also impressed in the Arizona Fall League. In the AFL, Gonzales hit for a .279/.351/.500 slash line with three home runs, four doubles, and a triple in 77 PAs. He also hit a home run in the Surprise Saguaros AFL Championship Game victory.
Peguero struggled for Altoona last season. He posted just a .259/.305/.387 slash line and an 88 wRC+. However, it should be noted that he had little to no lineup protecting for much of the season, especially when Gonzales was injured.
Peguero did make his MLB debut last season. Getting a cup of coffee for one series in June, Peguero went 1-for-3 with a walk. Peguero is a shortstop by trait, but with Cruz having that position locked down his long-term home with the Pittsburgh Pirates could be at second base.
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Whoever starts at second base on Opening Day for the Pittsburgh Pirates may prove to be nothing more than a placeholder for Gonzales or Peguero. Hopefully, whoever the starting second baseman is to start the season spots strong numbers while Gonzales and Peguero do the same in the minors, giving the Pirates a good problem at the position.