One thing about baseball is that it takes 25 guys to win most of the time and not just the nine guys who take the field for the first pitch.
That is something that has been especially true about the Pittsburgh Pirates under Clint Hurdle as during his tenure in as the Pirates manager, he has proven that he is willing to go deep into his bench on almost a nightly basis.
This season the Pirates bench is rewarding their managers’ faith in them.
Just a couple years ago the Bucs had one of the worst benches in all of baseball as they were one of the worst pinch hitting teams of all time.
But that’s not the case anymore as Hurdle can turn around in the dugout and look at one of the best benches in all of baseball.
Led by Travis Snider, Gaby Sanchez and Jose Tabata, the Pirates have become one of the best pinch hitting teams in the game, which just happens to be a great luxury for a manager late in games.
The Pirates are currently hitting .271 (sixth in MLB) in pinch hit opportunities with a nice .360 OBP (fifth) and .424 SLG (fourth).
Throw in the fact that they lead all of baseball with 32 pinch hits, nine doubles and 21 RBI and the Bucs’ bench is starting to become a weapon. They also have connected for three pinch-hit home runs, which is the third highest mark in MLB.
Snider is becoming a very valuable pinch hitter and connected with another double off the bench during Thursday night’s win against the Chicago Cubs. As the Pirates real only left-handed option off the bench, he has value to this team and proves that with very good late game at bats.
Sanchez and Snider both have nine pinch hits on the season, which ties them for the second best mark in the game behind Colorado’s Brandon Barnes. Tabata is right behind them with eight pinch hits. Sanchez, who also doubled off the bench Thursday night, also boasts a 1.131 OPS off the pine while Snider checks in at .919.
That bench could get even stronger in the future if Josh Harrison ends up returning to a bench role.
To remain in contention for a playoff spot it will take contributions from all 25 guys in uniform.
Needless to say this Pirates team is getting production up and down the roster.
For the Pirates to stay in contention, their bench will have to continue to perform at a high level.
The signs look good so far that it very well could do exactly that.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
