3 Pittsburgh Pirates taking advantage of their 2024 Spring Training action

One question that will always be asked regarding Major League Baseball Spring Training, is whether or not players' stats should be taken with a grain of salt or not. This same question is likely running through fans of the Pirates already this Spring. There is really no correlation between how players perform in Spring versus the regular season. However, one thing is for certain it is better for players to perform well rather than not.

This might seem obvious but why knock a player performing well in Spring for doing what said player is supposed to be doing, producing? Essentially any camp battle for a position is likely going to be based on this. For instance, the Pirates have a camp battle for the starting second base job. The battle is between Jared Triolo, Liover Peguero, and Nick Gonzales. All three have Big League experience so what will give one the edge over the other two? It has to be who performs best, who actually earns the job.

Now there is always fools gold which is why many say to take Spring stats with a grain of salt. Former first-round pick Kevin Newman hit over .600 during the 2021 Spring Training schedule. He would go on to have a batting average of just .226 for the 2021 season. Still, Newman's performance that Spring made him the clear-cut shortstop for the 2021 season. So who are some players that are taking advantage of Spring Training so far? Let's take a look:

Henry Davis, a 20-year-old catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is aiming to bounce back from a mixed performance in the previous season. In 2023, Davis faced challenges due to a hand injury that impacted his offensive production, ultimately preventing him from catching.

However, in the 2024 spring training, Davis is determined to demonstrate his capabilities both offensively and defensively. Despite the setbacks of this past season, Davis is making a strong statement with his performance this spring.

With a batting average of .500 and an on-base percentage of .539, Davis is proving his offensive potential early in spring training. His slugging percentage of 1.083 and an impressive OPS of 1.622 further solidify his contributions at the plate. These are numbers that fans want to see from the former first overall selection.

Davis is also showcasing his skills behind the plate, aiming to dispel any doubts about his ability to be a productive catcher. Although the sample size is small, his performance in spring training suggests that he is making strides toward becoming a more well-rounded player.

Davis needs to overcome his past challenges and his promising display in spring training indicates that he is on the right path to establishing himself as a valuable asset for the Pirates, both offensively and defensively. There is a lot to like about Davis and he looks to have put in a lot of work this offseason. Hopefully, he can stay healthy.

Termarr Johnson, the talented 20-year-old prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates and former 4th overall pick, is making waves in the 2024 spring training. Despite his young age, Johnson has caught the attention of many with his exceptional performance, showcasing both his hitting ability and a mature approach to the game.

With a batting average of .500 and an impressive on-base percentage of .539, Johnson is proving himself to be one of the standout performers in the Grapefruit League this spring. His slugging percentage of 1.083 further emphasizes his offensive prowess, contributing to an outstanding OPS of 1.622.

While Johnson may not be immediately considered for a spot on the Pirates' opening-day roster, his stellar showing in spring training has positioned him favorably to potentially start at the AA level. This advancement would place him closer to reaching his ultimate goal of playing in the Major Leagues, possibly even within the current season. This would also be pretty unique for the Pirates to have such a young hitter at such an advanced minor-league level.

Johnson like Henry Davis was a first round pick by the Pirates. Triolo, was a 2nd round selection. It is nice to see former top picks actually performing.

Johnson's impressive performance not only gives a quick glimpse of his talent but also suggests significant potential for future success within the Pirates organization. The future with Johnson could be sooner rather than later, although the infield is a bit crowded already. However, by this time next year if none of Triolo, Peguero, or Gonzales has locked down the 2nd base job then Johnson very well could be the guy for 2025.