To say that the Pittsburgh Pirates have depth within their bench would be putting it mildly.
Aside from the talent within the Pittsburgh Pirates everyday lineup are a group of talented players capable of starting, pinch hitting or contributing in any way to help make the team better. This season, guys like Sean Rodriguez, Jason Rogers and Chris Stewart have been stellar coming off the bench, but the early season play of outfielder Matt Joyce has more than exceeded expectations.
In Mid-February, the Pirates signed Joyce to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training in Bradenton, Fl. Joyce, who has spent his last eight seasons in the Major Leagues playing in the American League for the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, was signed in hopes of being used as the Pirates fourth outfielder. During Spring Training, Joyce hit .250 with four home runs, nine RBI, 12 walks and 12 strikeouts in 20 games. This type of performance prompted the Pirates to name Joyce to the Opening Day roster.
Joyce’s spring success has translated to the regular season and it’s safe to say that he has made a much larger impact than some may have anticipated. This season, Joyce is hitting .387 with four home runs, 10 RBI, nine walks and nine strikeouts. The 31-year old, who has only started in four games for the Pirates this season, is already one home run and 11 RBI shy of his season total from 2015 and the month of may just began. This season, Joyce also has two pinch-hit home runs, while Pirates pinch hitters had two home runs in 267 at-bats last season.
In the past few years, the Pirates have been known to find value in players who you would not expect to make an impact. Look at the 2014-2015 offseason for example when the Pirates signed Francisco Cervelli and Jung Ho Kang, despite questions surrounding whether Cervelli could replace Russell Martin as the starting catcher and whether Kang could translate his success from the Korean Baseball Organization to the Major Leagues. Both of these players impacted the 2015 Pirates in many ways and Cervelli still is, while Kang is rehabbing to return to the Pirates lineup.
This season has been no different than years past, as the Pirates are getting a ton of production from under the radar players that they signed this offseason. John Jaso has been stellar both defensively at first base and offensively out of the leadoff position, while David Freese has been good hitting in the third spot in the lineup and filling in for Kang at third base. Joyce can also be added to this list as well. He has come up clutch as a pinch hitter, served well during his opportunities to start and has put up big offensive games when those opportunities have risen.
When you look at a successful bench, a little bit of everything is needed. Teams need guys who can make solid defensive replacements, have stellar at-bats late in games and come up in the clutch when called upon. Matt Joyce is that and more. The former All-Star also provides veteran leadership and the pleasure of giving one of the Pirates three superstar outfielders a day off if necessary.
Early on in the season, Joyce has been one of the most pleasant surprises, but maybe we all shouldn’t be surprised. Maybe we should appreciate the way he has been playing and appreciate the fact that the Pirates continue to find value out of him no matter what his role may be.
Photo Credit – MLB.com
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