Previewing the Pirates: Finding a starting center fielder key to completing outfield

Where the Pittsburgh Pirates once had an outfield filled with All-Stars and Gold Glove winners, they now can only dream about fielding one who can stay healthy and hit above the Mendoza line.

That a light-hitting shortstop who switched positions in summer camp last July had the highest batting average of the outfield regulars last season was a sign of the Pirates’ poor production at the plate.

Gregory Polanco (.153, seven home runs, 22 RBIs) and Bryan Reynolds (.189, seven homers, 19 RBIs) picked a bad time to have career-worst seasons, combining for 122 strikeouts.

What’s worse, they still don’t have a starting center fielder.

It was something of a surprise to see shortstop Cole Tucker, who played 20 games in center and 12 in right, finish with the best batting average (.220) among the outfielders. Tucker looked natural at times, showing off with some spectacular catches while still learning the position.

“There were obvious signs of growth of how he got better and more comfortable,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Tucker, noting he is still viewed as a middle infielder.

Polanco and Reynolds are penciled in as starters. The center-field competition got another new face Thursday when the Pirates signed free agent Brian Goodwin to a minor league contract with a nonroster invitation to spring training.

Goodwin, 30, has experience playing all three outfield positions. He hit .215 last season six homers and 22 RBIs in 50 games split between the Angels and Reds.

It’s imperative for Pirates general manager Ben Cherington to do better in free agency than he did last spring. Center fielder Jarrod Dyson made headlines for saying he signed with the Pirates because there “ain’t too much out there” and “you have to take what you can,” taking a knee for the national anthem on Opening Day and batting .167 before being traded to the Chicago White Sox.

Guillermo Heredia lasted only eight games before being designated for assignment. After being claimed off waivers from Toronto in late August, Anthony Alford was an instant hit in five games before fracturing his right elbow in a crash into the center-field wall. Rookie Jared Oliva added three hits in 16 at-bats over six games in September.

So the search for a center fielder continues. Alford and Tucker are candidates. Reynolds proved he can play there, and Adam Frazier replaced Reynolds by switching from second base to play left field for 14 games. The Pirates have options. What they need is a solution to the void created by trading two-time Gold Glove winner Starling Marte.

Polanco’s health has been a problem the past two years since he injured his knee and shoulder on an awkward slide in September 2018. After shining in spring training and summer camp, he tested positive for covid-19 in mid-July, missed the opener and struggled to find his swing.

The Pirates were hoping he’d rediscover his form in winter ball, only for Polanco to fracture his right wrist. Polanco is their highest-paid player, with a guaranteed $11 million this season, so he will be in the lineup.

More than anything, the Pirates are counting on Reynolds to return to his rookie form, when he slashed .314/.377/.503 with 37 doubles, four triples, 16 homers and 68 RBIs.

“Reynolds is gonna hit,” Shelton said. “I mean, he had a difficult year, with 200 plate appearances. This kid has hit at every level. I know I said this all year long, but no expectations that he’s not going to hit next year.”

Cherington echoed that sentiment, focusing on Reynolds’ strong defensive play in left and center last season and his even-keeled makeup.

“There’s too much history there and too much good stuff still happening under the hood with Bryan,” Cherington said. “He’s moving well. He’s healthy. He’s young. A lot of confidence that he’s going to be not just a good player but an important part of what we’re building.”