Middle infield wasn’t exactly a position of strength for your Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, but there’s reason to believe that things could look a little better in 2022.
Uber rookie Oneil Cruz has caught everyone’s imagination – not so much for what he might be capable of at shortstop, but what he might be capable of doing with the bat. I’ve long lobbied that the Pirates should just move the 6’7” Cruz to a less taxing position – say, right field – and let him concentrate on his hitting. But those in charge seem committed to keeping him at shortstop until he proves he can’t play the position.