Perrotto: Jack Suwinski Shows What Was and What Could Be
PITTSBURGH — For a night, Jack Suwinski got to be the hero for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
There haven’t been many nights – or days – like that for the outfielder in the last two seasons. Suwinski has struggled mightily after having what appeared to be a breakout season in 2023 and spent most of this season at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Yet Suwinski showed flashes on Monday night of why he remains an intriguing player, as the Pirates rallied for a 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game series at PNC Park.
Suwinski hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning off rookie Carson Seymour to draw the Pirates within 4-3. It was Suwinski’s second homer in 31 games this season. Two years ago, his 26 homers led the Pirates.
Suwinski put together one of his best at-bats of the last two seasons. He fouled off four two-strike pitches then hit a 97-mph four-seam fastball into the right-field stands.
“Yeah, just trying to stay on that guy, pretty good stuff, two strikes, tried to shorten up, and it was a pretty good pitch to hit,” Suwinski said. “Yeah, you know, going in there and battling with two strikes and foul balls, those are all positive. I know it doesn’t look like much in the moment, but everyone knows that when you foul off a couple, you’re seeing ’em pretty good, you’re competing.
“Everyone in the dugout can see it. That’s what we’ve been talking about a lot. It’s going in there and just being competitive.”
Few of Suwinski’s at-bats have been competitive during his limited time with the Pirates this season. He has struck out 33 times in just 71 ABs and has a slash line of .113/.284/.211.
That is a continuation from last season, when Suwinski batted .182/.264/.324 with nine home runs in 88 games, striking out 79 times in 247 at-bats.
It was a perplexing downturn in Suwinski’s career after his 26-homer season in 2023, when he also stole 13 bases.
However, Suwinski not only got the Pirates back into the game with his home run on Monday night, but he also scored the winning run with good baserunning during a two-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Down 4-3, Andrew McCutchen started the rally with a walk. One out later, Suwinski was hit by a pitch to position himself as the winning run.
Joey Bart then hit a line single to left field that scored pinch-runner Alexander Canario while Suwinski alertly advanced to third base.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa followed by hitting a ground ball to first baseman Rafael Devers, who tried to throw out Suwinski at home. However, Suwinski made an outstanding slide to evade catcher Patrick Bailey’s tag to give the Pirates their 10th victory in their last 13 games.
“It was really close,” Suwinski said. “You know, it’s really hard for me because I just tried to dive and slide as hard as far as I can to get in there, but I knew it was going to be close. I was just running with my head down, but I can see (Bailey’s) body catching and turning, so if I just stay on the outside of that running lane and get my hand as far out and over as I can.”
Suwinski demonstrated his ability to be a dynamic player. He possesses power and speed and has succeeded at the major league level.
No longer a kid at 27, Suwinski is still young enough to turn his career around. He showed that on Monday.
At least for one night.