5 Ideas Pirates Should Consider to Help Jumpstart Offense (+)
The Pittsburgh Pirates are falling into the definition of insanity.
Outside of a few tweaks to the lineup here and there, the Pirates are doing essentially the same thing over and over again while hoping for better results.
Except time and time again, the results they’re wishing for aren’t coming true.
The Pirates fell 5-2 to the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night and have dropped to 5-15 over their last 20 games after starting the season 9-2.
The reason for the prolonged skid has undeniably been the continued slump from the offense. Over their last 15 games, the Pirates are averaging 2.07 runs per game. Even with strong contributions from the starting rotation for much of the season, that is nowhere near enough run support to win.
The Pirates are in need of a shakeup. They have been for weeks. Here are some ideas they should consider to resuscitate the offense.
Play Connor Joe More
Throughout the season, Joe has given the Pirates the most consistent at-bats despite not playing everyday.
Joe was the lone bright spot for the Pirates’ lineup in Tuesday’s loss. He homered in the first inning and accounted for two of the Pirates’ five hits.
Now, part of the reason Joe has been playing so well could be because he’s not being overused. But given the slumps from up and down the lineup, the hot hand needs to be in there.
Joe is that hot hand. Through 26 games and an even 100 plate appearances at the start of May, Joe is slashing .292/.370/.483 with eight doubles, three home runs, 14 RBIs, 10 walks and only 16 strikeouts.
He’s putting the ball in play and getting good results when he does, against both righties and lefties. That can’t be said about too many other Pirates’ players.
Whether it’s at first base or in one of the corner outfield spots, the Pirates need to ride Joe’s hot bat as long as they are able.
Move Jared Triolo to Utility Role
Triolo is seemingly an elite defender no matter where you put him. His five defensive runs saved at second base are the third-most in the league behind Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) and Marcus Semien (Rangers).
While his glove has been excellent, his bat has been non-existent.
On the year, Triolo is hitting just .216 with a .554 OPS and three extra-base hits including one home run. Triolo has always been a glove-first prospect, even with strong results largely due to an inflated-BABIP at the end of the last season.
Still, Triolo earned the starting second base job with a strong spring training and thanks to his glovework.
However, some thought Triolo would be best served in a bench role where he can bounce between the infield and not playing everyday. That seems to be the best course of action once again.
Recall Nick Gonzales
Moving Triolo to the bench opens up a spot at second base and there’s nobody more deserving for a chance than Gonzales.
The Pirates’ 2020 first-round pick homered again for Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday and continued his torrid start to the season.
Through 23 games to begin the year, Gonzales is batting .379 with a .611 slug and a 1.043 OPS. He ranks in the top 10 in the International League in all three categories. Gonzales also has 11 doubles, three home runs and 14 RBIs.
The most encouraging sign for Gonzales is that he’s been able to limit the strikeouts that have plagued him in the past.
Sounds like just about everything the Pirates need, huh?
Select Jake Lamb
While we’re in the process of calling players up to the Pirates, Lamb is also worthy of a promotion.
Lamb is in the top five in the International League in batting average (.373) and on-base percentage (.474) and has a 1.050 OPS with three home runs, 12 RBIs and more walks (14) than strikeouts (12).
Lamb has received most of his defensive reps at first base this year and the Pirates need help at the position.
Rowdy Tellez has not given the Pirates anything they hoped for when they signed him as a free agent in the offseason.
Maybe a platoon of Lamb and Joe/Triolo would serve the Pirates better.
Lamb’s hypothetical promotion would be a bit more complicated than Gonzales’ since he is not on the 40-man roster, but the Pirates could shift Jason Delay to the 60-man roster if necessary.
Dismiss Andy Haines
The fifth and final suggestion for the Pirates would admittedly likely be the least effective, but desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures.
The bottom line is the players need to go out and perform, but they haven’t. Whether that’s the fault of Haines can be up for debate, but sometimes getting a fresh perspective can pay dividends.
Haines is now in year three as hitting coach and the Pirates still aren’t getting the results they desire.