Pirates
Pirates All 40: What Role Will Isiah Kiner-Falefa Have in ’25?
This is one in a series of stories breaking down members of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa has done a little bit of everything in his seven-year career.
Between his time with the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates, the 29-year-old has played every position other than first base — including six pitching appearances.
Kiner-Falefa was acquired by the Pirates from the Blue Jays at the trade deadline in exchange for prospect Charles McAdoo.
As expected, he bounced around the diamond after acquired, appearing in games at second base, third base and shortstop. But after Oneil Cruz was unexpectedly moved to center field in August, Kiner-Falefa served as his primary replacement at short.
As Ben Cherington and his staff navigate the offseason, there are two courses of action to consider. The first is to add a shortstop to play the position in 2025 and perhaps beyond. The second is to let Isiah-Kiner Falefa be the Pirates’ main shortstop next season.
In doing so, the Pirates would be taking away an attribute that has made Kiner-Falefa an appealing player in his career. He’s proved to be a capable defender pretty much anywhere he plays, especially in the infield. By anchoring him down at one position, some of his value would be diminished.
But if the Pirates ultimately decide Kiner-Falefa is their shortstop for next season, they’ll need to get more from him with the bat than the did during the final two months of the season.
In 50 games after the trade, Kiner-Falefa hit .240 with a .587 OPS. But before the Pirates landed him, he was having the best season of his career at the plate.
In 83 games to start the season in Toronto, Kiner-Falefa hit .292 with a .758 OPS and 17 extra-base hits, seven of which were home runs.
The assistant hitting coach with the Blue Jays last season? Matt Hague, who was officially hired to be the Pirates’ lead hitting coach last week.
Maybe the chance to work again with Hague will result in better results at the plate for Kiner-Falefa. The newest Pirates’ coach is excited to get a chance to work with him again.
“Man, I love Izzy,” Hague said during an introductory Zoom call. “He’s such a gamer.”
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I like IKF, but he’s not an everyday SS. We leaned on him pretty heavily after the Cruz switch to CF, and his bat really suffered. It will be good for him to have Hague to work with again.
I think he would be better in a utility role. Give Cruz a break in CF against tough lefties and play in the infield a couple times a week. But having both him and Jared Triolo on the roster is kind of redundant. One of them is either trade bait, or Triolo can hang out at AAA until needed, which is not good. He has earned a roster spot.
Agreed, IKF is most valuable bouncing around. He’s a strong defender at all three infield spots and does some things really well But don’t think he has the bat to hold down an everyday role at one spot.
IKF’s is a better Josh Harrison so hopefully he will have a J-Hay role because that will mean the Bucs filled some holes and are ready to try to contend.