When forecasting the Pirates of the future, many fans focus on the possibility of a star-studded pitching staff featuring the likes of Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, and Luis Heredia. While the thought of a pitching staff featuring three potential aces is exciting- especially considering the Pirates’ lack of legitimate frontline starters in recent memory-the future pitching staff is not the only reason for excitement. The Pirates could wind up with one of the better outfields in baseball in the not-so-distant future; it’s just not yet clear who it will include.
Andrew McCutchen will be a part of it, obviously. The face of the franchise and the team’s most exciting player since a young Barry Bonds is under control through 2018. But don’t be surprised if McCutchen eventually switches outfield spots with fellow speedster Starling Marte. It’s not often that a young star player coming off a gold glove season playing a premium position would even face the possibility of moving positions, but the Pirates have a unique situation- their opening day lineup will likely feature two very good centerfielders, and many believe that Marte is already better defensively than McCutchen. So, while I wouldn’t expect to see McCutchen relinquish his center field spot any time this season, don’t be surprised if McCutchen eventually settles into left with Marte manning center field.
While Marte will in all likelihood be the Pirates’ starting left fielder on opening day, his presence in the Pirates’ long-term outfield isn’t necessarily a certainty. He definitely looks to have a long big-league career ahead of him, especially if he hits like most think he’s capable of; and if his power continues to develop, he could be a star. The only real reason to hesitate to call Marte a long term fixture in Pittsburgh is the outfield talent lurking in the minors.
Travis Snider, a former top prospect of the Blue Jays, will probably start in right for the Pirates on opening day. While it doesn’t look like he’ll ever live up to the top prospect billing he once had, he’s still young and a resurgence of the power he’s shown in the past could give him a good chance to hold down right field in Pittsburgh, at least for a couple more years.
Jerry Sands, Jose Tabata, and Alex Presley will all be in the mix for playing time this season, especially if Travis Snider struggles. Tabata has been very underwhelming the past couple seasons, and his role may continue to diminish. Sands, another former top prospect yet to find major league success, has a good chance to take some of Snider’s time in right.
Then you have the prospects. Coming off a breakout year in West Virginia, Gregory Polanco could complete the Pirates’ long term outfield within a couple of years. He’s a five-tool talent who could stick in center, but he probably won’t need to in Pittsburgh, especially if he and Marte are both on the team. Josh Bell’s elite power potential makes him another strong candidate for a future role, and the partial meniscus tear that kept him out for most of last year shouldn’t affect him long term. Barrett Barnes gives the Pirates yet another centerfielder in their system. The team’s supplemental first rounder last year out of Texas Tech has a nice blend of power and athleticism, and he should have enough power to be a corner outfielder in the majors one day.
If the Pirates are in contention when the trade deadline rolls around, they would likely move one out of this group for an established major leaguer. Another situation that could arise is Marte becoming expendable in the future if two of Polanco, Bell and Barnes are knocking on the door.
In any case, it will be very interesting to see how Marte and Snider fare in their first full years with the Pirates, how Polanco follows up his breakout season, how Bell rebounds from his knee injury, and how Barnes continues to improve. It’s probable that the long-term outfield in Pittsburgh will consist of McCutchen, and two of these five. It goes without saying that McCutchen has a spot locked down, and Marte could soon secure his future role with the team. I hope and expect he will do so, leaving it up to one of the minor leaguers to fill right field for the future. If Polanco keeps hitting he seems to have the best chance to do so. That would give the Pirates an amazing defensive outfield full of centerfielders. If multiple guys pan out, the Pirates will have some attractive trade pieces on their hands; and while he’s not going anywhere for a long time, an aging McCutchen could fetch a nice return toward the end of the decade, if the Pirates were in a position to replace him.
Only time will tell, but with the amount of outfield talent within the system it’s looking more and more like the Pirates will be fielding an elite group of outfielders in a few years. I, for one, am pretty excited.
Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune
