Homegrown talent blossoming into everyday players is a pretty cool feeling for team executives and fans alike. However, to be successful, you’ve got to be able to pull off successful trades as well. Jack Suwinski started his career in the San Diego Padres system. The former 15th-rounder wasn’t considered a top-5 prospect in the Pirates system but the talent was evidently there.
The 25-year old outfielder was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates when they traded Adam Frazier to the San Diego Padres. Utilityman Tucupita Marcano, another Pirates receiving solid playing time, came over in that deal as well. Suwinski, however, has been the biggest get in that trade.
Suwinski played in his 162nd career game on Monday evening giving him now one full seasons worth of games played in the major leagues. It is now a fair time to start assessing what Suwinski might be as an MLB player. If you haven’t heard the name yet, Suwinski’s might be one you need to begin to familiarize yourself with.
Following Monday nights two-homer game by Suwinski, he is now sitting at 15 home runs on the year. He is on pace to hit more than 30 long balls in 2023. For a team that doesn’t hit for a ton of power as a whole, Suwinski breaking out into a real slugger is a big deal for the Buccos. Suwinski is also good enough at defense that he can reliably play centerfield.
A pair of hometown blasts tonight for Jack Suwinski. pic.twitter.com/VVdVhCScqo
— MLB (@MLB) June 14, 2023
Diving into Jack Suwinski’s stats
The left-handed batter is a poor hitter against lefties and often gets sat if the Pirates face a lefty starter. He’s a career .147 hitter against left-handed pitching across 163 plate appearances. That won’t get you everyday opportunities. Fortunately, there are plenty of righties across the league and Suwinski gets plenty of opportunities to play. Most of his damage is done against right-handers.
Suwinski is slashing .253/.367/.557 across his career regardless of the pitchers’ handedness. He’s got 34 home runs and 73 RBI across those 162 games. The RBI numbers are relatively low but the 2022 Pirates were a very poor team that didn’t score many runs so RBI opportunities weren’t out there. In fact, Suwsinki’s 35 RBI this season are four short of his total last season in 162 less plate appearances. If he continues on at least a similar pace, it is reasonable to expect 35+ home runs and 85+ RBI.
Suwinki’s strikeout rate has improved from last season but he is still a strikeout-heavy player. You can live with that as long as he is hitting home runs and even drawing the occasional walk, another wrinkle Suwinski has added this season. Suwinski drew just 41 free passes last season. He’s got 32 already through his 56 games on the year.
How does Suwinski stack up in 2023?
Jack Suwinski has a .924 OBP on the season. That figure ranks eighth in all of baseball and fourth in the National League. He trails only Corbin Carroll (.998), Freddie Freeman (.989), and Ronald Acuna Jr. (.958) in the NL this season. That is pretty elite company to place yourself among.
Suwinski’s 15 home runs in 2023 are tied for eighth in the National League. In most slugging categories, he ranks within the top-10 of the National League. The Pirates are benefitting mightily from Suwinski’s presence.
The shame of it for Suwinski is that there are only so many spots in the all-star game. Unless he goes on an absolute tear in the next few weeks, there is a good chance he does not make the ASG. Mitch Keller and David Bednar seem like locks to make it at this moment. Suwinski likely would be an injury replacement candidate for the all-star festivities.
The 25-year old Suwinski is quickly becoming a legit star across the league. He is not a household name but he is a guy that could slug his way into such a category.
Photo Credit- David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned- Jack Suwinski, Adam Frazier, Tucupita Marcano, Corbin Carroll, Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuna Jr., Mitch Keller, David Bednar
