The dream of a 30-30 or 40-40 season for Oneil Cruz isn't likely to become reality, unless he rejoins the Pirates later this season and goes on some sort of Mario Lemieux-level tear.
But with Cruz shelved for the foreseeable future thanks to a fractured left ankle, the Pirates now have a sizable hole to fill at shortstop and also the need for someone to inject some power into their lineup.
As much as the collision that hurt Cruz and the Pirates' considerable frustration over the conduct of Chicago catcher Seby Zavala, how to replace Cruz was a significant storyline following Pittsburgh's 1-0 victory against the White Sox on Sunday at PNC Park.
"The range and presence he has, ... how he runs the bases, he impacts the game a lot of different ways," Ke'Bryan Hayes said. "It's definitely a big blow."
"We have to keep playing how we have the last two series," Carlos Santana added. "I know it's a long season, but if we keep that energy, we'll be OK."
As for the most obvious position replacement, Rodolfo Castro seems to be first in line. Or so it seems based on the route manager Derek Shelton went Sunday after Cruz slid awkwardly into home plate in the sixth inning and had to be helped off the field.
Castro shifted from second to short. Ji Hwan Bae — instead of being just a straight swap at shortstop — entered the game at second base.
"I'm gonna be ready for whatever position they need me to play, and I"m gonna give 100%," Castro said, with major league coach Stephen Morales translating. "It still hurts, as I'm not gonna be able to see my teammate next to me for a while. But I'm ready for whatever comes."
While Castro could get the first crack at shortstop, he really hasn't done much to distinguish himself this season after failing to win the starting job at second base in spring training.
Through nine games during the regular season, Castro is hitting just .176 with seven strikeouts in 19 plate appearances. He did reach base safely in his last three plate appearances Saturday with a single, double and walk, but on Sunday, Castro went 0 for 2 with a walk and two strikeouts.
As far as a roster spot, the Pirates will call up Mark Mathias from Triple-A Indianapolis, according to a source.
In 24 games late last season with the Texas Rangers, Mathias hit .277 with five home runs, 16 RBIs and a .919 OPS. The Pirates acquired Mathias via trade with Texas on March 8, and he's currently hitting .333 with a .926 through nine games with Triple-A Indianapolis.
In 46 MLB games with the Brewers and Rangers, Mathias is a .256 hitter and has a .756 OPS.
The Pirates chose Mathias over Tucupita Marcano, who's also enjoying a strong start with the Indians. Through seven games, Marcano is hitting hitting .500 with seven doubles, a triple, a home run, seven runs scored, a .929 slugging percentage and a 1.446 OPS, leading the International League in slugging, OPS, doubles, extra-base hits (9) and total bases (26).
Yet in 74 MLB games, Marcano has batted just .201 with a .546 OPS.
"It's next man up," Hayes said. "We have to figure it out."
One obvious change should come at the top of the Pirates' lineup. Bae has been a noticeable and impactful player thus far and profiles perfectly with his considerable speed. It might be the only area — those wheels — where the Pirates won't be hurt by Cruz's absence.
Toughest to replace will be Cruz's power. Even at their best, neither Castro nor Marcano can come close to matching Cruz.
Though the Pirates losing their shortstop doesn't mean a direct path to playing time for first baseman/designated hitter Ji-Man Choi, this would be the perfect time to see him get going.
Choi is hitting just .053 through 19 at-bats, with eight strikeouts. Shelton said he thought Choi had better at-bats Sunday, but obviously those numbers aren't acceptable for someone who makes $4.65 million.
Bottom line, there's no way the Pirates can replace the production of Cruz, at least not in terms of excitement generated or power potential. The best they can hope for is having capable parties do just a little bit more.
"It gives someone else an opportunity to showcase what they can do," Andrew McCutchen said. "A prime example: Josh Harrison. He was up and down and got a chance because someone went down. He became an All-Star.
"You can't replace somebody like Cruz, but it gives someone else an opportunity to shine and help this ballclub."
