Jose Osuna
The Case for a Roster Spot:
A week ago, Jose Osuna was almost certainly going to be headed to Indianapolis, despite an impressive spring complete with a rare show of power. Jung Ho Kang’s visa complications gives Osuna a second chance to make the Opening Day roster. Despite having a fielding percentage, 0.989, just slightly above that of Josh Bell’s 0.985, Osuna is expected to be the defensive yin to Bell’s offensive yang, and with the departure of Sean Rodriguez, the Pittsburgh Pirates could use a valuable defensive replacement candidate to backup Bell. That role was expected to go to either John Jaso or David Freese, depending on the matchup, but Freese will be preoccupied filling in at third. Osuna’s 12% strikeout rate and 19% walk rate have been just as impressive this spring as his .429 home runs and five home runs.
[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]2017 Spring Training Stats:AVG: .429
HR: 5
RBI: 14
K/BB: 5/8[/perfectpullquote]
The Case against a Roster Spot:
Osuna has no major league experience. He certainly has a future at the major league level, but both he and Josh Bell deserve regular playing time. Josh Bell’s greater career projection gives him the guaranteed track to the Opening Day lineup at first, which would leave Osuna heading to Indianapolis for regular playing time. The big question is whether Osuna can discover his power potential and remain consistent at the plate. If he can, he would make a valuable addition.
The Breakdown:
Gosselin and Ngoepe provide defensive depth in valuable areas. Osuna’s 41% extra-base hits rate and walk rate could be the difference makers in whether he makes the roster. Osuna is very unlikely to make the club due to the Pirates professing the desire to give Bell and Osuna both regular playing time.
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