PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington said during his radio show once you are in Triple A, you are no longer a prospect. Meaning you are almost considered a major leaguer with the opportunity to play in Pittsburgh.
Cherington addressed the progress of the Pirates two best AAA power bats on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. The Bucs GM says even with the continued leg problems of shortstop Kevin Newman, there is no plan to play Oneil Cruz more at short in the near future.
“I think we will see him pop out to the outfield,” Cherington said Sunday. “It’s still an important part of his development just to give him every chance to be the player in the major leagues that we want him to be. We know he can play short. He does a good job there. Oneil has really played well recently.”
Cherington talked before Cruz hit his fourth homer and raised his RBI total to 22. The average at .197 with a .317 on-base percentage.
“The batting average is still increasing, but the at bats have been consistently better,” Cherington said of the 23-year-old. “He’s making a ton of contact. Hitting the ball harder and playing solid baseball on both sides of the ball. We are encouraged with the direction he is headed in.”
Cherington also must have sparked Mason Martin with his Sunday morning discussion with Greg Brown. The 22-year-old Martin hit his eighth homer on Sunday and now has 28 RBI.
“Mason really is going a good job,” Cherington said. “Everyone talks about the power, but he’s worked his tail off to become a better defensive player at first base. That gets overlooked, I know a little bit of defense at first base, that gets overlooked.”
“He’s having a good year. Continues to work hard on his development target which is swing decisions and contact. He is performing against Triple A pitching.”
A 17th round pick out of high school in 2017, Martin burst on the scene in 2019 after 35 home runs, 32 doubles and 129 RBI in 131 games at both Class A teams. Following the stopped year in the minors due to COVID-19, Martin hit 25 home runs, 29 doubles and 81 RBI in 120 games mostly at AA.