Hoy Park a big hit as leadoff batter for Pirates, playing 4 positions in 1st 4 games

Hoy Park has made a strong first impression on the Pittsburgh Pirates, starting four games at four positions and getting hits in all of them since being acquired in a trade with the New York Yankees.

Park has played shortstop, center field, right field and left field in his first four games with the Pirates. He was scheduled to start at second base Thursday before Ben Gamel was scratched because of a tight hamstring, but Park expects to play there sometime soon.

Which position Park plays doesn’t seem to matter as much to Pirates manager Derek Shelton as finding a spot in the lineup for the 25-year-old from Seoul, South Korea.

“I think he could lock into one right now,” Shelton said. “We’re taking a look at the versatility. Before we had the lineup change, he was supposed to play second. I would like to get him in the infield a little bit more and get a look at him. We’ll probably do that moving forward, but the fact that he’s versatile and wanting to get him at-bats right now, it kind of helps us out that we can bounce him around.”

After being buried in the minors with the Yankees — despite leading the Triple-A East League in batting, on-base percentage, OPS and walks — Park is appreciative of his opportunity to play for the Pirates. He has both infield and outfield gloves at the ready and is embracing his chance to solidify his status as a major leaguer.

“I’m telling you, it doesn’t matter where I’m playing. I’m just trying to help the team,” Park said, repeating what has become a mantra. “I’ll play anywhere for now. I’m trying to help the team. That’s first for me.”

Park has helped mostly with his bat, batting .375 (6 for 16) in four games. In the past three games as leadoff hitter, Park is hitting .416 (5 for 12) with two doubles, two walks and three RBIs.

“The leadoff thing, I’m going to try to think it’s not different (whether I’m the) first or second or third batter,” Park said. “I’m trying to get on base. I’m trying to do the right thing at the plate.”

Shelton credited Park with taking good swings and his ability to control the strike zone as reasons for getting an extended look at the leadoff spot, as Park is the fifth player the Pirates have tried there since trading All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier to San Diego on July 25.

“We’ve kind of mixed up the lineup with Fraz being gone,” Shelton said. “We just felt like (Park) was a good guy to get some at-bats for up there.”

Hoy in the clutch! pic.twitter.com/JJRmIDqAFz

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 4, 2021

After getting his first major-league hit with a double against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, Park proved Shelton’s point by hitting a bases-clearing double for the go-ahead runs in the seventh inning of Tuesday’s 8-5 comeback win over Milwaukee, adding a single and a double in Wednesday’s 4-2 loss and going 2 for 4 with a run scored in Thursday’s 7-4 loss at the Cincinnati Reds.

His fast start is gaining notice in his homeland. A Korean reporter informed Park the Korean Broadcasting System planned to televise Friday’s game against the Reds, asking if that added any pressure.

“Not really. I want them watching our games, so it’s not pressure at all,” Park said. “I just want to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”