Pirates start Jack Suwinski in center, signaling shift for Bryan Reynolds

BRADENTON, Fla. — When they ran out of the home dugout Monday at LECOM Park, Bryan Reynolds veered to left field and Andrew McCutchen to right while Jack Suwinski sprinted to center.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton unveiled a new-look defensive lineup in a Grapefruit League game against the Philadelphia Phillies by playing Suwinski in center even though he has the least amount of experience there of the trio. And it wasn’t just a one-game experiment but a likelihood for the regular season.

“I think that’s something we could see, depending on what we do with ‘Cutch’ in terms of being on the field but I definitely think we could see Jack in center and Bryan in left,” Shelton said. “We saw, and we talked about last year that (Suwinski) became a better outfielder as the season went on at the major-league level. I think we’re going to continue to get a look at that.”

Pirates manager Derek Shelton discusses outfield with Jack Suwinski in CF, Bryan Reynolds in LF and Andrew McCutchen in RF. pic.twitter.com/emYT30EWOz

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) February 27, 2023

McCutchen has played 1,332 games in center and won the NL Gold Glove there in 2012, while Reynolds has played 306 games in center was a Gold Glove finalist there in 2021. Suwinski played more games in left (56) and right (38) than center (19) as a rookie last season, when he had two defensive runs saved, per FanGraphs.

“Those guys are awesome to play with. I’m excited,” Suwinski said. “It’s pretty special, just to share that outfield with them.”

The Pirates unveil a new-look outfield against the Phillies: Bryan Reynolds in LF, Jack Suwinski in CF and Andrew McCutchen in RF. pic.twitter.com/fQtZJG8Q8H

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) February 27, 2023

The move could stem from Reynolds requesting a trade in the offseason after the All-Star’s contract extension talks came to an impasse, but his defensive numbers didn’t help his cause. Reynolds recorded a minus-14 defensive runs saved in center last season and minus-5 in 2021, per FanGraphs, after having 7 DRS in 2019 and 6 DRS while playing primarily in left field in 2020.

Reynolds isn’t making a fuss about returning to left field. In fact, Reynolds said he’s “fine with it.” His goal is to become a Gold Glove winner in left field, where he has played 134 career games.

“I’ve talked with them and that’s going to be probably a mix of both, probably a little more left than center, I guess,” Reynolds said. “I think I grade out better in left, anyway, so that’ll be better for everybody. In the past, I’ve been good in left.”

The Pirates attempted to move McCutchen from center to right field in 2017, before Starling Marte was suspended for violating the MLB drug policy. Now, McCutchen is embracing the move, and even called it “the easiest position to play” of the three outfield spots at PNC Park.

The 21-foot Clemente Wall is an imposing presence, but McCutchen played 13 games in right field for the Pirates in 2017 and additional games there as a visitor over the past five seasons.

“I had enough time out there to where I understand it, and I’m just going to do what I need to do out there,” McCutchen said. “It’s not rocket science. Just go out and make the plays that need to be made. That’s it.”

McCutchen’s philosophy on playing right field at PNC Park is simple: a double is a double. Keep it there. Don’t make it a triple. A single stays a single, if he makes the right read and play on the ball.

“That’s the way I’m going to play,” McCutchen said. “I’m not going to try to do extra and end up turning a double into a triple or a single into a double. It’s (about) making the plays that need to be made. If the ball goes overhead and goes off the wall, get yourself into a good enough position where you can pick it up and get it in (without allowing) an extra bag. …

“I’ve seen enough baseballs hit off that wall to know what balls may do and know the ones I’ve got to watch out for,” McCutchen said. “I know that when it goes above that fence (and caroms) off that little bit of wall there, I have to make sure I’m far enough away so I can get to it (because) that’s when you see those triples happen. They don’t happen a lot, but they happen. You do your best just to get the ball. It’s pretty simple. I don’t overthink it. I know what I’ve got to do.”

Suwinski said during a visit to Pittsburgh this winter that he’s most comfortable in center field because there’s room to run. Shelton said the Pirates like the way the 24-year-old moves in the middle.

All three contend that the key will be communication, as Suwinski is in charge of making calls on fly balls. McCutchen and Reynolds encouraged Suwinski to be aggressive.

“Us having the understanding of who the center fielder is, what a center fielder does, we know that he has priority,” McCutchen said. “So, it’s me letting Jack know, ‘The ball is yours, regardless. When the ball goes up, it’s yours. If the ball is in the gap and I’m iffy on whether I can catch it, you should be catching that ball.’ ”

Added Reynolds: “He’ll be fine doing it. We’ll just work through it in spring, with him communicating in center versus me in center and getting to know each other in the new positions.”

Suwinski made an error in the first inning when he dropped a shallow pop fly off the bat of lefty catcher Garrett Stubbs that was carried by the wind when it died and bounced off the thumb of his glove.

“I kind of felt silly,” Suwinski said. “I should have caught it. That should be an out every time. … We’re going to straighten that out.”

Shelton indicated Suwinski will get plenty of chances to do that, especially early in spring training games. The Pirates could have other outfielders in the corners, from veterans Miguel Andujar and Connor Joe to younger teammates like Cal Mitchell, Canaan Smith-Njigba, Travis Swaggerty and Ryan Vilade.

“He’s going out there trying to do his job. That’s all you can ask for,” McCutchen said. “I’m just here to assist in any way that I can, as far as him on defense in center field. I’ll give him my two cents on things and us working together because we’re going to be out there together at times.”