Pittsburgh Pirates: Five Potential Inter-Division Trade Targets

Infielder Jonathan India

Jonathan India won Rookie of the Year in 2021. After a sophomore slump that was marred by injuries, he looked to rebound in 2023. He got off to a hot start, but the second half of his season was again injury-riddled. But with the Reds having multiple young infielders secured across the dirt, they may look to move India.

The first half of India’s season looked great. In his first 324 plate appearances, India batted .271/.355/.439 with a .345 wOBA and 111 wRC+. India hit for a respectable amount of power, going yard ten times with a .168 isolated slugging percentage, but walked in 9% of his plate appearances while going down on strike three just 17.9% of the time.

However, after this point, India would only receive 205 more plate appearances, batting .201/.312/.356, clocking in with a .299 wOBA, and 80 wRC+. India’s walk rate did go up to 11.2%, but his K% also rose to 24.9%, and his power went in the wrong direction with a .155 isolated slugging percentage.

India missed all of August due to plantar fasciitis and was never able to get back on track. However, when healthy, India can be a good hitter. The foot injury didn’t hamper his raw power. He still had an 89.7 MPH exit velocity and a 36% hard-hit rate after June 19th. There’s also a good chance he rebounds next year with the bat, as he had a .420 xSLG% and .339 xwOBA, and if he can stay healthy.

The only thing is India doesn’t have a great glove at second base. He had -7 defensive runs saved and -6 outs above average. India came up through the Reds’ system as a third baseman not known for his defensive prowess. While he had some games sprinkled in at shortstop and second, as well as logging some games up the middle in college, he more or less learned the position as he got to the big leagues.

But India is affordably controlled for multiple years. He is under contract through 2026 via arbitration. With the Pirates having a need at second base, any and all potential starting-caliber second basemen should be on their radar. That includes division rival Jonathan India.