Matt Joyce had a rare start Monday. He made it count.
The Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder had three hits, three RBIs and scored twice. And his outing in the Pirates’ win against the Atlanta Braves was capped when Joyce launched a home run into the right field bleachers in the bottom of the seventh inning.
It was only his sixth start of the season, yet, he’s made his presence felt.
In mostly a pinch-hitting role, Joyce has a .372/.500/.767 line this season. His five home runs are second on the team, despite having the second-fewest at-bats of any positional player who has been with the club all season.
Joyce’s emergence comes when little was expected of him. It’s understandable why.
Since being named an American League All-Star with Tampa Bay in 2011, his numbers have dropped. They bottomed out last season when he hit .174 in 33 games with the Los Angeles Angels.
No one offered Joyce a major league contract. Instead, he opted for a minor league deal with the Pirates in February.
In spring training, Joyce competed to be the team’s fourth outfielder. Despite his lack of position flexibility, he made the roster.
Now, he might be the best pinch hitter in baseball this season.
Joyce’s success likely brings a sigh of relief for Pirates fans who have had endure years of failed veteran backups.
Last season, Corey Hart was the veteran backup outfielder after signing a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. He started with a hit in three of his first six at-bats, including a home run. But it was all downhill from there, and he never saw game action after being placed on the disabled list in late June. He finished the year with a .222 average and struck out in a third of his plate appearances.
In 2014, Jayson Nix, Michael Martinez and Brent Morel were all veteran flameouts. The year before, John McDonald and Brandon Inge disappointed. The list goes on and on.
Now, Joyce isn’t only is thriving as a pinch hitter but represents a break from that trend of veteran backups washing out in Pittsburgh. Along with David Freese, Sean Rodriguez and Chris Stewart, Joyce helps gives the Pirates quality depth.
Of course, Joyce’s numbers will likely fall; hitting .372 over the entire season is virtually unsustainable. Still, he’s establishing himself as the team’s best pinch hitter.
It’s a role the team would be wise to keep him in.
Image credit: David Zalubowski / AP
