Pirates offense starting to 'pass the baton'

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates general manager Ben Cherington made a simple track analogy as to why they've had more success on offense, they are passing the baton.

In other words, it hasn't been one guy carrying them recently. Cherington said one player has a good at bat and you pass it to the next. Now the team trusts the batter behind them and they are freed up to just play. It's the explanation during struggles of a player or team of trying to do too much, just being focused on doing your job.

After a swoon from mid-April to mid-May struggling to score runs, it's been different recently, from May 10 until Sunday the Pirates averaged 5.5 runs a game and won eight of them, even in a time where offense in down in baseball.

Cherington said during his weekly show on 93.7 The Fan maybe they're just getting some balls to fall, but more so credit to the work of the players and hitting coach Andy Haines. He said he continues to try and build the deepest roster he can, but that roster will continue to include first baseman Rowdy Tellez.

The veteran GM said they are not blind to the 29-year-old's struggles, but they continue to do everything they can to find a solution. Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network they don't know the formula as to when enough is enough with the first baseman, adding they can be accountable to his struggles and try and help him at the same time. Both can be true. At some point soon, Tellez will return to the starting lineup.

"Every time he is out there, we are all rooting for him," Cherington said during his show. "He's a good teammate and we know he is capable of doing. The next time he is in a game, I'm looking for him to drive a ball in the gap or hit a home run. I still expect him to do that."

Nick the trick

Described as being a boost to the Pirates offense, Cherington praised second baseman Nick Gonzales as in 16 games, one as a pinch-hitter, the right-handed hitter as 14 RBI. He said the Bucs 2020 first-round pick has applied the lessons learned from last year in the majors and made the necessary adjustment. He said he's been assertive and confident.

"I've seen this and now I have to make an adjustment," Cherington explained on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. "Spent the early part of the season in Indy, applied that work and we saw it in his performance. He's come up and been a real catalyst in our lineup.
He's a confident and aggressive hitter."

Joe job

It's been fortuitous that Connor Joe has gotten off to a good start. He's now the everyday first baseman due to the Tellez struggles, but he probably would have found a spot because he's been their most consistent hitter through two months of the season.

"He's so well prepared in all facets of the game and obviously has produced and he's earned trust," Cherington said. "We feel good when he is out there."

Part of that preparedness is his constant attention to detail in learning first base. Cherington said he's come a long way in turning himself into a good defensive first baseman.

Asked about the potential to give Jared Triolo reps at first base when Ke'Bryan Hayes returns, Cherington told Greg Brown Sunday Triolo could play there. He's taken most of the reps at third with Hayes out and is as close to Hayes defensively as you could hope for.
However, they are cautious of throwing too much at the infielder with 103 career MLB games.

"Because he is such a good defender in the infield, he is a defensive asset wherever he plays," Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. "The question for our staff is how much do we ask of him at the same time. How many positions do we ask him to cover and not put too much on a young player's plate."

Suwinski will return

There was not a feeling that .174 hitting outfielder Jack Suwinski was shocked after learning he would be sent down to AAA. Cherington said that doesn't mean he was happy about it. Pirates management expects him to return and be an impact this year.

"I'm very confident he will get to work & put himself in a position to get back here," Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. "The best version of our 2024 team has Jack on it, doing things that Jack is capable of doing."