Chavis gets first chance to fill in for Tsutsugo at first
SAN DIEGO — It’s not a comedy bit. In fact, much of what the Pirates offense has encountered this season hasn’t been funny at all. But it is a question the Pirates must now consider with YoshiTsutsugo sidelined for at least 10 days because of a lumbar muscle strain. Who’s on first? Fornow it will be Michael Chavis, who entered Friday’s game against the Padres at Petco Park as the Pirates’ most productive offensive player of late, the right-handed hitter batting .375 with a .997 OPS over his past13 games.
As a first baseman, Chavis has hit .317 with 3 doubles, 1 triple and 4 home runs. He’s batting .349 against lefties, while manager Derek Shelton also said that Josh VanMeter and even Ben Gamel could see sometime there.
“Michael has played well,” Shelton said, adding that the Pirates don’t think the injury to Tsutsugo is too serious. “It’s an opportunity toget a longer look at him.”
Although he’s just 5 feet 11, Chavis has handled the defensive nuance of first base extremely well, his history as an infielder evident. It’s a logical place to turn.
Beyond Chavis, though, is where things start to get interesting.
In the eyes of many, the Pirates’ next man up should’ve been Mason Martin, who’s currently putting up excellent numbers with ClassAAA Indianapolis.
In his past 13 games, Martin has hit .292 with two doubles, a triple, six home runs and 14 RBIs. Of course, he’s also struck out 19 times in 55 plate-appearances (34.5%).
Season-wise, only six players in Class AAA had more total bases than Martin (90) heading into Friday’s action. At the same time, his strikeout numbers (57 in 174 plate appearances, 32.8%) seemingly aren’t where the Pirates feel comfortable bringing Martin
“There are still things development-wise that he’s working on,” Shelton said. “We’re excited with what he’s done and how he’s done it. Right now, we’re happy with where he’s at.”
‘Longer look’
The other side of the move the Pirates announced before Friday’s game was the call-up of Tucupita Marcano from Class AA Altoona. Marcano wasn’t in the lineup for the first game of the series but figures to see time in a utility role, Shelton said.
The promotion comes amid a terrific season for Marcano with the Curve, where he ranked eighth in the Eastern League in batting (.312) and on-base percentage (.411). This month, Marcano was third among qualified Eastern League hitters in batting (.364), tied for fourth in doubles (7) and seventh in on-base percentage (.411).
Speaking through team translator Mike Gonzalez, Marcano said he was grateful for the opportunity and was happy that his hard work was rewarded.
“I want to come out here and try to help the team in every situation I can,” Marcano said.
It’ll be the second time the Pirates get a look at Marcano, who came up with Jack Suwinski on April 26. Marcano went 1 for 2 at the plate and had a terrific outfield assist. While his last call up was more on an emergency basis, the Pirates should get a longer look at Marcano this time around.
Finest City, indeed
This weekend will be special for several Pirates — and not just because it’s impossibleto hate San Diego.
Cal Mitchell, for instance, went to high school about 30 minutes away. He played a couple of summer-circuit games at Petco, idolized Tony Gwynn and talked pregame about watching the spectacle that ensued when Trevor Hoffman would pitch. Mitchell said he expected to have about 100 people in attendance.
“I always imagined playing in a packed house here,” Mitchell said. “This weekend’s that weekend. It’s amazing to have so many friends and family in the seats.”
What Mitchell did Friday was similar to what Suwinski experienced not long ago at Wrigley Field in Chicago, homering at home and taking it all in. Mitchell and Suwinski actually talked about the weirdness there and how the latter was able to compartmentalize it all.
“It’s something you dream about your whole life,” Suwinski said. “Now it’s coming true. You think about it for so long. It never really compares to the real thing. ... It’s probably gonna be one of the coolest things you’ll do and remember.”
Grudge game
Whereas the Pirates used to have a bunch of San Diego ties with Kevin Newman, Trevor Williams, Steven Brault and Joe Musgrove, it’s now more former Padres playing against their old team.
Marcano, Suwinski and David Bednar can all make that claim. Mitchell obviously knows a thing or two about what it’s like to be so close to the Padres.
Acquired in the Adam Frazier deal last season, Marcano signed with the Padres as an international free agent in July 2016 and grew up in the organization. He surprisingly made his MLB debut at the start of last season and said he grew emotional while walking into Petco Park on Friday.
“Being back here and facing the team that gave me my first opportunity and helped me develop and helped me become a bigleaguer, that experience is always going to be special to me,” Marcano said. “I’m always going to be grateful any time I’m here.”