Joe serves as a ‘catalyst’ throughout team’s 5-0 start
His hits have also just been timely
As is the case with most ballplayers, consistency is key for Connor Joe. After bouncing around through six organizations in as many years, Joe found a stable home with the Pirates last season. And after a solid showing in his platoon role in 2023, things continue to look positive early for him in 2024.
While there have been many standouts throughout the Pirates 5-0 start to the season, Joe has quietly been one of the club’s top producers, notching eight hits in 23 at-bats, including two in Monday’s 8-4 victory against the Washington Nationals.
“He’s played well,” manager Derek Shelton said. “Connor is a guy that’s gonna play against lefthanded pitching. We’ve had five in a row, but he’s had hits against right handers, too — and played good defense. But overall, he’s been a real catalyst for us as we’ve started the season.”
Shelton is spot on when it comes to deeming Joe the club’s catalyst. Having started in the leadoff spot in each game so far, Joe leads the team in runs scored (7) and doubles (4).
“Really grateful for their confidence in me to put me at the top of the lineup,” Joe said. “It’s really nice to be up there. Getting on base is something that’s been a part of my game, but also to have the guys that I have hitting behind me gives me a little bit more confidence. I know if I get on base, there’s gonna be some action behind me because there’s really good hitters behind me.”
In addition to scoring, Joe has also excelled at bringing others across the plate. With bottom of the lineup hitters such as Michael A. Taylor, Alika Williams and others consistently reaching base, Joe has been there to turn a brief flash into a rally, tallying five runs batted in, second best on his club.
Joe’s big hits have been timely. On Monday, after watching the Nationals tie the game at three on a tworun blast from Riley Adams off Roansy Contreras, Joe put his team back on top with a double to left to score Taylor.
“Extra-base hits come, but when the focus is on the approach and how we’re gonna attack the pitcher and we stay to it, me personally, stay convicted to that approach, you hit the ball hard and that’s when you see extra-base hits,” Joe said. “I’m really proud of just staying committed to the game plan.”
Similar to what we’ve seen in numerous other games, Joe’s big swing once again sparked a late rally, as Ke’Bryan Hayes brought him home just two batters later with a double. The fun continued the next at-bat, when Andrew McCutchen singled home Hayes, turning what was once a tie game into a comfortable lead.
“We’re doing a lot of different things like grinding down at- bats,” Joe said. “Rowdy’s at-bat [Sunday against the Marlins] comes to mind. Those types of atbats and passing the baton, as they say, to the next guy is huge. It builds momentum and puts pressure on the pitcher. That’s the style of baseball we’re shooting for.”
As the season progresses, Joe’s involvement in the lineup will be an interesting factor to monitor. Former Pirate Trevor Williams is scheduled to start for the Nationals on Wednesday. Should nothing change, it will be the first right handed starter the club will face in 2024.
More right-handed pitching likely means more opportunities at first base, the spot where Joe has made three of his five starts, for Rowdy Tellez.
“Everyone is pulling for each other and everyone is building on the pressure we’re putting on pitchers,” Joe said. “It’s carrying over to the next guy and the next guy. We’re grinding out atbats and playing gritty baseball, and that’s contagious.”
Pirates acquire Bart
General manager Ben Cherington added to the catching depth on the 40man roster Tuesday night by acquiring Joey Bart from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for minor-league right-hander Austin Strickland.
Bart, 27, made the Giants’ opening day roster last season and hit .207 with five doubles and five RBIs. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Sacramento. To make room for Bart, the Pirates designated righthander Colin Selby for assignment.