Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential Options if the DH Returns in 2022

The designated hitter will likely return to the National League in 2022, so what could the Pittsburgh Pirates situation at the position look like next season?

The chances that the designated hitter returns to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the National League in 2022 are very likely. Major League Baseball tried it out in 2020 and at one point, there was an agreement that if the season was longer than 60-games, the DH would return in 2021.

Regardless, it seems both players and owners want the DH in both leagues. It makes sense too. Owners want the game to be more exciting to help attract more fans. The players get 15 more line-up spots, opening up more opportunities for DH-limited players, and overall giving more opportunities. Plus, you don’t have to watch a pitcher attempt to bunt and/or make an out 98.5% of the time (pitchers had a .147 on-base percentage this year.

So with a very good chance of the DH coming back in 2022, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be given another spot in the line-up. So what players could help fill that spot? Could they find their man on the free agent or even trade market?

Internally, the Pittsburgh Pirates will have Colin Moran likely take one of the starting spots between first base and DH. Granted, Moran did have a disappointing 2021 season. He only appeared in 99 games with 359 plate appearances but batted .258/.334/.390 with 10 home runs, a .311 wOBA, and 98 wRC+. This was off the heels of a 2020 campaign where he showed some power, blasting the same amount of home runs in just 200 plate appearances. While he walked at a strong 10% pace, it was the one positive of his season. He didn’t provide very good defense at first base either with -4 DRS and a -6.1 UZR/150.

Though if he can find the power stroke he had in 2020, he’d be good enough to handle duties at first base. Eventually, he and Mason Martin could share duties between first base and DH. Martin is one of the top 10 first-base prospects in all of baseball. The lefty slugger played most of the season at Double-A where he put up a solid .242/.318/.481 line, .342 wOBA, and 114 wRC+. He showed off his immense power potential, blasting 22 long balls in 471 plate appearances while having a healthy .239 isolated slugging percentage. Though there were some major concerns about his season. He struck out at a career-high 34.2% rate while having a career low 8.1% walk rate.

Still, he was given the call to Triple-A Indianapolis where he continued to blast baseballs out of the park. He racked up 3 home runs in just 27 plate appearances. But he only had 6 total hits, 10 strikeouts, and 1 walk to combat that. Despite his poor plate discipline this year, the Pirates will still give Martin a shot early into 2022. You can’t ignore that power potential. Plus he projects as about an average defender at first base.

But Martin and Moran aren’t the most awe-inspiring 1B/DH combo. One option they could pursue is resigning Yoshi Tstusugo. The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Tsutsugo on a minor league deal once he was cut from the Los Angeles Dodgers. While he only had 144 plate appearances, he made the best of it, putting up a strong .268/.347/.535 line, .372 wOBA, and 134 wRC+. Tsutsugo blasted 8 home runs while having a phenomenal .268 ISO. He cut down on strikeouts as well, having a strikeout rate of 22.9% while still keeping a strong 10% walk rate.

Another guy I believe the Pittsburgh Pirates could look at is Jorge Soler. Soler, who was originally a Cubs top prospect, had a poor start to the season with the Kansas City Royals. He batted at a .192/.288/.37 clip with a .289 wOBA, and 79 wRC+. The big power he was known for was almost completely absent as he only had a .179 ISO.

However, like Tsutsugo, a change of scenery helped him finish off 2021 strong. After being dealt to the Atlanta Braves, Soler would go on to hit .269/.358/.524 with 14 home runs in just 242 plate appearances. Soler had a similar final line to Tsutsugo with a .374 wOBA, and 132 wRC+.

While Soler has been a streaky hitter throughout his career, when he is healthy, he’s good. In his last full season in 2019, he blasted 48 home runs, had a .922 OPS, 136 wRC+, and an ISO above .300 at .304. Soler has the power potential to be one of the best home run hitters in all of baseball. There is some risk involved, sure, but it’s a risk the Pirates should take if the opportunity is present. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see a line-up with Soler, Martin, and Oneil Cruz? How fun would that be?

There are also a few other internal prospects that could see time at DH if they perform well in the upper minor leagues. Canaan Smith-Njigba had a strong season at Double-A and projects to start 2022 at Triple-A. If he can show the power potential many see in him, he could be a very solid LF/DH option. The Pittsburgh Pirates have a ton of middle infield options. Rodolfo Castro could serve as a 2B/DH. If the Pirates need him to, Jared Triolo could man first base so Martin could handle everyday DH duties.

Overall, the Pirates have some options to turn to when looking at the potential DH situation. I’d still like to see them take at least a glance at the open market, but even if they decide to go with internal options, they’ll be in an okay position at the very least either way.