Competition for starting job at 2B heats up as Pirates narrow candidates

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates have been searching for a second baseman since trading All-Star Adam Frazier last July, and a crowded competition is now down to a handful of candidates at spring training.

With Nick Gonzales, Ji-hwan Bae and Tucupita Marcano reassigned to minor-league camp, the Pirates can get a longer look at Diego Castillo, Rodolfo Castro, Michael Chavis, Hoy Park, Cole Tucker — and even Kevin Newman.

“I think we have a bunch of people that are versatile and can fill that spot,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “We still have about 10 games left to try to figure out how we’re going to be. The one nice thing is those guys can all play multiple positions and move to different spots. So you may see one guy there one day, and you may see somebody else the next.”

That’s been the challenge for Newman, who developed a strong relationship with Frazier before he was dealt to the San Diego Padres at the deadline last year, so he didn’t waste any time to start building a new bond. As the Pirates were taking ground balls on the first day of camp, Newman started talking about defensive alignments and double plays.

“I was like, ‘Wow, this guy didn’t miss a beat,’ ” Chavis said. “If anything, Newman makes the transition easier just because of how well he communicates and how hard he works.”

Newman tries to give honest feedback about where and how to position, especially communicating in the shift. What he’s found is the second base candidates already appear comfortable.

“We’re so athletic and have so many talented guys that I really don’t have to do much,” Newman said. “When we’re shifting over and covering, overlaying certain areas, communication is key, like who’s got the bag in certain situations. In the offseason, those things tend to be forgotten so we’re getting together and polishing up those assignments.”

Now, after being a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop last season, Newman has to polish his playing on the other side of the bag. He was in the starting lineup at second base Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies, with Tucker playing shortstop. It’s the type of positional flexibility Shelton wants out of all of his fielders — save Ke’Bryan Hayes, who’s locked in as the starting third baseman.

It’s nothing new to Newman as he’s one of six players the Pirates used at second base after trading Frazier. Castro had the most starts (19), followed by Wilmer Difo (14), Park (12), Newman (11), Tucker (eight) and Chavis (six), who spent time on the injured list.

The emphasis on shifting has forced all of the players to become accustomed to playing on both sides of the bag, so communication is the key to making the adjustment.

“It’s not as difficult,” Newman said. “We’re athletic and talented. It’s not as big of a gap as you might think. For me, personally, I just communicate a ton. I like to have a conversation and know who’s got this, just to avoid as many mistakes as possible. No matter who’s there, even when Frazier was there we were still communicating a ton.”

Chavis has the most experience playing second, playing in 82 games and starting 67. Drafted in the first round by Boston as a shortstop, he switched to third base before shifting to second and finds it his most natural position. The Pirates like Chavis’ ability to hit the ball hard.

The Pirates’ starting shortstop the past three seasons, Newman has played 66 career games at second base, starting 55. The Pirates like him at shortstop so it’s possible that a permanent move there would only be to create room at shortstop for top prospect Oneil Cruz.

Castro made baseball history last year when his first five hits were home runs, but he only has eight games and 35 at-bats at Triple-A so it’s likely he could start the season at Indianapolis.

The same goes for Castillo, who was added to the 40-man roster last fall after being acquired along with Park from the New York Yankees in the Clay Holmes trade. Castillo is 4 for 8 with two walks in four Grapefruit League games this spring and can play both second and third base.

Park’s arrival at spring training was delayed by a case of covid-19 followed by a positive test when he got to Florida. He started at second Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers and homered in his first swing of spring. Although Park has shown a willingness to play the infield or outfield, he is aiming for the starting job at second.

“That’s the biggest thing for me, but if I play outfield or somewhere, I don’t really care,” Park said. “I just want to help the team. That’s it. It’s that simple. I can play anywhere. I’m just trying to help the team win. That’s the most important thing to me.”

Tucker also falls into the super-utility role, thanks to his shift from shortstop to the outfield in the 60-game 2020 season. He has played second base, shortstop and right field this spring and found the outfield experience helped him make a pair of dynamic plays in shallow right field last September.

“You have to get used to being on the other side of the bag,” Tucker said. “Ironically, being in right field or left field or center field, just having different viewpoints of the baseball and where it’s going and where it’s coming from has helped me tremendously.

“I just have to get used to that awkward feed, but I love playing second base. When I was little and used to play up with my older brother’s travel team, I used to play second base because all the big, better kids played short. So it’s just getting back to that. I’m trying to find that edge on the other side of the bag.”