When it comes to the Pittsburgh Pirates, having a surplus of good players at any position is something that hasn’t happened that often. That is what they currently have this season in their outfield. This surplus wasn’t something that was expected when the season started a couple months ago, but injuries to each of the three top outfielders at different points allowed a couple of other outfielders to prove themselves.
Gregory Polanco missed the beginning of the season recovering from shoulder surgery, Dickerson hasn’t played in a game since the home opener with a shoulder injury of his own, and Starling Marte spent time on the injury list after colliding with shortstop Erik Gonzalez. These injuries made way for Melky Cabrera, Jason Martin, and Bryan Reynolds to each grab time starting in the outfield, and they have been making the most of it.
Melky Cabrera has been the most notable as he has batted .341 with an .852 OPS, and forced the Pirates to find ways to keep him in the lineup. Martin appeared in 17 games for the Pirates before being sent back to AAA Indianapolis when Marte returned from injury. The same Marte injury that initially caused the call up of Bryan Reynolds, who has found a lineup spot ever since. Reynolds started his career with an 11 game hitting streak (matching Gregory Polanco’s initial streak), and has continued that pace to bat .320 with an .896 OPS while showing off some impressive fielding skills in both Left and Center Field.
All of this gives Pirates manager Clint Hurdle an interesting problem, an overabundance of capable outfielders. Martin was sent back down, but the Pirates have found a way to incorporate the remaining outfielders using a 4 man rotation. Starling Marte has been getting the bulk of the center field starts. Meanwhile Polanco, Cabrera, and Reynolds have all shared time in the starting lineup for a few weeks now. It seems to be working out well as Reynolds and Cabrera have continued their torrid paces, and Polanco has started to find his bat. This rotation also gives Polanco more time to heal up his throwing arm, which has clearly not returned to full strength since his surgery.
That seemingly perfect rotation will be disrupted soon as 2018 gold glove winner Corey Dickerson returns from his injury. When that happens what will Hurdle and the Pirates do? Will they send down a surging rookie, limit at-bats for a .300 hitter in Cabrera, or will they try to turn this into a 5 man rotation in the outfield? As much as it pains me to say this, the Pirates should send Reynolds back to AAA Indianapolis. Reynolds has earned a spot in the majors, but unfortunately there are just too many outfielders who also have claim to those spots. After that, Hurdle’s 4 man rotation can continue with Dickerson inserted for Reynolds.
Dickerson batted .300 last season, and topped it off with Gold-Glove Honors so to think that he shouldn’t be the starting left-fielder is just ridiculous. However, combine his season last year with what will hopefully be a couple good months after returning from injury and an expiring contract, and you have a mighty large piece for the trade deadline. Polanco and Marte are locked in for the long haul, each with contracts that extend a couple years into the next decade, but we all know that the future in left field belongs to the prospect pool, with Reynolds being the frontrunner. It may be unfair that Reynolds is the one sent back to the minors, but don’t expect him to be there long, and when he comes back it could possibly be for good.
The Pirates deepest position is in the outfield, and Hurdle has been able to manage it well to this point. Cabrera’s tremendous season at the plate has been a pleasant surprise and added pressure to keep him in the lineup. While there is no timetable for Dickerson’s return, he has been throwing from longer distances recently and is closing in on a potential rehab stint. His return, plus the return of Lonnie Chisenhall, will add to the Pirates surplus of steady and impressive outfield depth.
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