Pirates A to Z: Jacob Stallings solidified himself as Gold Glove-caliber catcher, team MVP

During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Nik Turley.

Player: Jacob Stallings

Position: Catcher

Bats/Throws: Right/right

Age: 30

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 220 pounds

2020 MLB statistics: Batted .248/.326/.376 with seven doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs in 42 games.

Contract: Not yet eligible for arbitration.

Acquired: Drafted by the Pirates in the seventh round in 2012.

This past season: One season, Stallings was designated for assignment by the Pirates and returned as a backup after clearing waivers. The next, he was their starting catcher and a Gold Glove finalist.

Stallings solidifying the position that was the Pirates’ biggest concern — after they parted ways with Francisco Cervelli and Elias Diaz — was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal season.

And even Stallings couldn’t comprehend the gravity of his career arc in late September, when he was voted for the Roberto Clemente Award as the team’s Most Valuable Player by members of the BBWAA.

“Not right now, to be honest,” Stallings said. “I don’t really. I think it will be something probably not even after the year, just when I’m done playing, I think I’ll be able to look back on more and appreciate. I heard Derek Jeter say in his Hall of Fame speech that when you’re playing, you’re just trying to keep a job. You’re just trying to make a team.

“That really resonated with me because that’s all I’m really focused on is trying to get better and to stay on the team. Whatever my role is, I’ll try to do the best I can. Just right now I’m focused on getting better, and I think that’s more the type of thing that I’ll probably reflect back on when I’m done playing and maybe be able to appreciate a little more.”

We’re back... and we’re #Rippin

Just a small sample of Jacob Stallings from Opening Night.. (+6 net strikes for the game...?) pic.twitter.com/gfccm35HtD

— Jordan Comadena (@Funky2414) July 25, 2020

The Pirates appreciated what Stallings meant to their pitching staff, from his ability to frame pitches, block balls in the dirt and even call a complete game from behind the plate. Manager Derek Shelton was effusive in his praise for Stallings, especially his defense, after he led the NL in assists (22) and tied for the NL lead in throwing out nine runners.

Friend of the pod Trevor Williams working nicely with his catcher Jacob Stallings here pic.twitter.com/2wA50DqAWy

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 26, 2020

“Not only is he helping those pitchers grow, but I think we’re seeing him grow,” Shelton said. “There’s a guy there that’s an elite receiver, an elite thrower and, again, in my mind, a guy that should win the Gold Glove. I think we’re seeing him turn into a leader. He’s having more energy. He’s having better patience. He’s doing a lot of things that we’ve challenged him on.”

That started with being better with the bat, especially in August, when he slashed .392/.475/.510 with three doubles, a home run and 10 RBIs in 18 games. Stallings batted only .149 in the other 24 games, hitting .118 in July and .158 in September but hit a walk-off homer for a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 22 at PNC Park.

It is walk-off homer night apparently. This time it’s Jacob Stallings and the Bucos. pic.twitter.com/M91ENSGY9h

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) September 23, 2020

“I grew up dreaming about winning the Gold Glove,” Stallings said. “I didn’t dream about being a Major League Baseball player because I didn’t think I would hit well enough to ever get to the major leagues. I was like, ‘Major League Baseball player? Eh, maybe I’d be good enough to win the Gold Glove if they DH’d for me or something.’ It would be a dream come true, simple as that.”

The strong finishes by Pirates starting pitchers helped Stallings’ cause. Steven Brault decided not to shake off Stallings and threw a complete game against St. Louis on Sept. 17 and didn’t allow a hit over his final 10 innings. Mitch Keller pitched six no-hit innings against the Cardinals on Sept. 19 and five no-hit innings at Cleveland on Sept. 25.

The Gold Glove became a goal for Stallings at the end of the 2019 season, when he became the starter. Even he wasn’t sure it was a realistic one.

“You just never really know. So many things have to fall into place,” Stallings said. “I didn’t know at the time if I was going to be a starter, what my role was going to be. To be a finalist, obviously, to even be considered, have my name in the conversation would be a tremendous honor.”

Not only was Stallings a finalist the NL Gold Glove, but his 2.9 SABR Defensive Index ranked second in the league behind Cincinnati’s Tucker Barnhart.

The future: Not only did the Pirates lean heavily on Stallings, who caught the most innings in MLB (345⅓), but he was the only catcher they kept after the season.

The Pirates designated Luke Maile and John Ryan Murphy for assignment and claimed Michael Perez off waivers from Tampa Bay, a clear signal they view Stallings as the starter and are searching for a better backup.

Stallings enters his first year of arbitration eligibility and remains an affordable player for the Pirates, so their focus will be on building depth behind him and finding his eventual successor.

“I guess I was hopeful that I would maybe solidify my role for this year, but, obviously, it’s not something I ever took for granted,” Stallings said. “I’ve been on the other end of it, going from the guy that never played to getting to play a lot last year. I always focused on trying to get better.”