New Pirates OF Guillermo Heredia provides much-needed positivity

Through the words and actions of their management team since Guillermo Heredia was signed as a free agent early last month, the Pittsburgh Pirates have made it clear they do not expect Heredia to be an everyday outfielder.

A glance at his career offensive statistics (.240 average, .659 OPS, 17 home runs in four seasons) suggests that’s wise.

But Heredia can provide value, particularly in these three areas:

• A platoon bat or pinch hitter against left-handed pitching;

• A defensive replacement or specialist in the outfield;

• A positive, unifying clubhouse presence.

That final attribute might be Heredia what is best known for across the industry.

“I think that’s naturally who I am,” Heredia said through interpreter Mike Gonzalez at PiratesFest last month. “I am a very happy person. I love to be filled with joy, and I think it starts with me, the way that I bring that energy in and kind of (make it rub off on) other people and become contagious with that positivity.”

Considering the Pirates languished through a 25-48 post-break record, had multiple reported intra-team physical confrontations, replaced almost all of its coaching staff and had one of its best players (Felipe Vazquez) arrested late in the season, the injection of fun and gregariousness is being welcomed.

“In ’19, things kind of fell off the tracks,” starting pitcher Joe Musgrove said. “We had a lot of internal problems going on. … We lacked a little leadership in the clubhouse amongst all the players.”

The #Pirates’ largest expenditure on the free-agent market so far this offseason is the $1 million, one-year they gave outfielder Guillermo Heredia on Jan. 9.https://t.co/JAUV8lXgOk

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) January 17, 2020

Heredia, 25 and entering his fifth major league season, doesn’t fill the traditional mold of “leader.” However, his background has hardened him and made him appreciate the game.

Heredia defected from communist Cuba five years ago after starring in that nation’s top league for six seasons. Though Heredia was eager to play in the majors, defecting was “one of the most difficult things I ever had to do” because it meant leaving his family.

“You go through many days where you cry. You go through a lot of (times) where you are just extremely missing them, (times) where you feel lonely, (times) where you wonder if you made the best decision,” Heredia said. “But, obviously, I do this for (family) before anything, and I know that this is something that is going to help my people, something that they encourage me in and they support me in. It’s tough, but I know it’s going to be worth it.”

Per media reports #Pirates sign free agent OF Guillermo Heredia -28 year old From Cuba known for his glove more than his bat. Could be defensive replacement late in games More tonight ⁦@KDKA⁩ pic.twitter.com/r8snufmj8j

— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) January 9, 2020

Heredia was considered one of the top players in Cuba because of his speed and defense. He was a center fielder upon his MLB debut in 2016, but he has played almost as many games at the corner spots (188) as he has in center (194) during four seasons with Seattle Tampa Bay.

The advanced metrics, though, don’t indicate Heredia has been an elite defender. But he has shown flashes. In 2017, Heredia ranked fifth in the majors in range factor per nine innings among outfielders. The next season, he had a perfect fielding percentage over 222 chances.

“Something that has given me a lot of success playing the outfield and being recognized as a defensive player is maintaining a positive mindset,” Heredia said. “ … Maintaining the consistency of my work ethic of my routine and my perpetuation has given me a lot of success.”

Though success largely eluded Heredia at the plate last season (.225 average, 18 extra-base hits and 18 walks in 231 plate appearances), he provided above-average production against left-handed pitching: .281 average, .795 OPS with 14 extra-base hits in 124 plate appearances.

Now that the Pirates have added a lefty hitter in JT Riddle with whom Heredia could split time, Heredia’s bat could be better than adequate if deployed correctly.

“Obviously, throughout my career I have had much more success against lefties,” said Heredia, whose career righty/lefty OPS splits are .596/.737. “I want to have just as much or even more against a righties, and I think the key is to maintain that mentality and that passion toward hard work and dedication, submitting to the coaching staff what they have in store for me and what they see in me.”

Love baseball? Stay up-to-date with the latest Pittsburgh Pirates news.