One of the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ veteran offseason editions was first baseman/designated hitter Carlos Santana. In theory, the signing filled a need at the corner spot where the Pirates don’t have a young future prospect. Defensively, Santana is better than advertised. I don’t remember him being as good of a fielder at first as he’s been. At the plate, he is supposed to provide stability and pop. However, Santana has been a hole in the Pirates’ lineup as the cleanup hitter.
As the Pirates stand, they aren’t a team filled with power. They received a nice boost in power numbers towards the end of last season. That hasn’t carried over. Their leading home-run hitter is Jack Suwinski who’s got 13 so far of the season. With his .200 batting average against lefties, Suwinski often gets sat when the team faces left-handers. If he had even splits, the decision to make Suwinski the clean up guy would seem like a no-brainer.
Andrew McCutchen has eight home runs for the Pirates but he is too much of an on-base guy to bat in the power spot. Outside of Rodolfo Castro and Bryan Reynolds, the Pirates lack a true power hitter.
As it currently stands, Santana presents the best possible everyday option in the four hole. His four home runs and .679 OBP don’t really support that. But the 37-year old was expected to have a bit more slug than he has provided to this point. He is tied for third on the time in RBI with 28 to this point so he’s at least driving guys in. Santana’s 730 OPS with runners in scoring position isn’t terrible but it could be better.
To say the least, he’s been an underwhelming option to this point.
In his last twenty four ABs, Carlos Santana is slashing .167/.259/.292 with a homer and two RBI.
He’s not getting it done. Needs moved down in the order for now.
— Nate (@nate_in_pa) June 11, 2023
Pirates Need To Bump Carlos Santana Down Lineup
I will give Santana the benefit of the doubt. The Pirates brought in Ji-Man Choi to platoon with Santana at the corner spot. Choi underperformed early in the season and then was injured as he started to heat up. Connor Joe has pitched in to help out at first base but Santana has still played 57 of the Pirates’ 64 games. As the season wears on and Choi returns, the Pirates may look to lower that number.
Santana is 37-years old. Wearing him down is not something the Pirates would be wise to do. He could be a full-time designated hitter upon Choi’s return but Santana’s defense might be needed at the corner.
Santana hit 23+ home runs in four straight seasons from 2016-2019. His numbers backed off a bit over the past three seasons but still posted 19 home runs in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 22′. Right now, he isn’t on pace to reach that number and it could be from overexposure.
If the Pirates continue to contend, they may have to look externally for a new clean up batter. They’re not in a position to go get a big fish and waste prospects in a year they weren’t supposed to be in this spot. However, someone who profiles as more of a power hitter wouldn’t be a bad thing.
It’s likely catching prospects Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez make their debut in the coming weeks. I don’t see the Pirates forcing them into the heart of the lineup like that so quickly.Whatever the final outcome, it’s time for the Pirates. to drop Carlos Santana in the lineup.
Photo Credit- Charles LeClaire- USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned- Carlos Santana, Jack Suwinski, Andrew McCutchen, Bryan Reynolds, Rodolfo Castro, Ji-Man Choi, Connor Joe, Henry Davis
