PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – While so much talk this year has been about trying to find a centerfielder, Gregory Polanco in right and Bryan Reynolds in left. Maybe the Pirates had their man in the middle all along. If only for the time being.
Reynolds has started 13 games now in center including every game since April 22. While not a speedster, he’s tracked down balls in the gap, kept runners from moving up and done so with a multitude of corner outfielders. Many of whom were career infielders until recently.
“We’ve had a bunch of different guys out there,” Reynolds said. “They can handle the position just fine. I will glance over, keep an eye and see if they need to move a little bit. We’re just rolling with it.”
In those games since moving from left field to center he’s had Hunter Owen (MLB debut, former catcher), Ka’ai Tom (rookie), Phillip Evans (rookie, natural infielder), Gregory Polanco, Wilmer Difo (natural infielder) and Adam Frazier (natural infielder).
It has not affected his hitting. With the exception of April 23, he’s been on base in every game. Reynolds has extra base hits in five straight, five doubles and a homer. Does he feel he’s starting to unlock some of the power potential?
“If I put the barrel on the ball and put the correct launch angle,” Reynolds said. “I feel like it will go. I’m not trying to necessarily do that. I’m just trying to put the barrel on it. If it goes on the ground, it goes on the ground. If it goes up. It goes up. Just trying to hit it hard and good things will happen after that.”
Reynolds is hitting .291 with three homers and 14 RBI in 2021, leading the team in walks and on-base percentage, along with slugging and OPS. The 26-year-old switch-hitter is also second in the majors in doubles with 11.
That looks more like his rookie season in 2019--.314 avg/37-2B/16-HR/68-RBI/.503 slugging/.880 OPS. Than his sophomore season--.189 avg/6-2B/7-HR/19-RBI/.357 slugging/.632 OPS.
“I’m not going to live in the past, its 2021,” Reynolds said downplaying the question of whether he found his rookie form. “Just trying to be the best version, best player I can be. That’s putting the barrel on the ball, trying to drive it and help us win. I’m not trying to recreate anything.”
Opening Day centerfielder Anthony Alford and then his replacement Dustin Fowler are both trying to find their games in Triple A. First round pick Travis Swaggerty homered in his first at bat at that level. The 23-year-old centerfielder followed that up with a few more hits, but it’s his first time in AAA and likely to remain there for a larger sample size.
There are potential replacements, but for now, locking in Bryan Reynolds at center seems like the Pirates best move.