Post Gazette · May 11, 2018
The Pirates' best defender so far? Corey Dickerson.
Chad Kuhl had Matt Wieters 0-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning on May 1. The switch-hitting Washington Nationals catcher went with the pitch, a fastball up and away, and lined it in front of Corey Dickerson in left field.
Previously, Dickerson might have hung back, let it bounced, prevented extra bases. This time he sprinted toward the infield and made a sliding catch.
“Now he’s seeing that same opportunity as not a single, but as a chance to sit somebody down in the dugout,” Pirates outfield coach Kimera Bartee said. “Before he would play conservative, get to it, get it in, and possibly be bailed out by the double play. He’s not looking to do that as much anymore.”