PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The deepest talent and focus he’s had since he’s been here, what Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said of this year’s team. What else he said about Henry Davis, Nick Gonzales and early results from a new hitting coach during his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network.
Best yet
It started from the earliest gathering during Spring Training, it’s something not only that Ben Cherington saw, but planned. It was a core of veterans approaching the game the right way. So, bringing in players like Tommy Pham and Adam Frazier didn’t spark excitement based off their stats, but it’s the whole package.
“Really did see a sense of focus and collective energy to the most important thing, winning,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan.
It showed itself after the extra innings loss on Saturday and preparing for the game on Sunday.
“What I hear after the game from the players is a focused discussion about the game,” Cherington said with Joe Block on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. “About what happened in the game? What went well? What we didn’t execute well? How do we clean that up? I heard that postgame. I heard that again (Sunday) morning walking through the players area.”
Cherington said it was the veterans leading that discussion. And for the younger players, that talk coming from their peers means so much more than any suggestion or advice from a coach or staffer. He said baseball is not a game where you are going to be perfect, but he heard a shared accountability, which is what you hear from winning teams.
Improvement
If there are two areas he likes through a couple of games this year it’s their ability to steal bases and how they attack pitchers.
While there is speed and raw ability that goes with the steals, Cherington praises the coaching staff for having these guys ready. He pointed to Oneil Cruz saying he could steal basically in any situation, but for Joey Bart to steal, that means they are teaching and planning well.
As for the hitting under new hitting coach Matt Hague.
“Our offensive approach at the plate,” Cherington said during his weekly show on 93.7 The Fan. “I know we haven’t scored a ton of runs yet. We haven’t had the big crooked number innings or we haven’t had loud production. I’ve been encouraged by our approach at the plate. What we are trying to do with the pitcher. Our swing decisions, grinding pitch counts up, taking our walks, making the pitcher work hard. That has been encouraging to me.
“We stay with that approach, that mindset, it will lead to good things over time,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan.
Davis glove
Cherington said it was a difficult decision to send Henry Davis to the minors. He had started Grapefruit League hitting well, but it tailed off. What they don’t have a question about any more is the glove.
“Really believe in where Henry is headed,” Cherington said. “He’s come so far defensively to the point where there is unanimous confidence across our organization and in our major league clubhouse about him catching at the major league level, no questions.”
“He’s become a strong defensive catcher. It gives him a weapon two or three years ago he didn’t have. Now making adjustments offensively, that’s the thing he’s got to figure out.”
The Bucs GM said the majors is the only place Davis hasn’t hit in his career, but ‘it seems bound to happen.’ Adding they are really encouraged where Davis is right now.
Gonzales update
Cherington said infielder Nick Gonzales will have a CT scan on Monday in Pittsburgh after an MRI showed a non-displaced fracture of his ankle. He said the injury happened in Spring Training, but an x-ray revealed no break and Gonzales said he was able to play.
Gonzales is currently wearing a boot and while it’s unknown when he will return, Cherington said he will play again this season.