The Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves in the thick of a division race as we approach summer, with a 32-29 record. The team has surprised many around baseball, who figured the team was again set for a rebuilding season. Instead, a different approach to their at-bats have made for an entertaining summer.
Led by Jack Suwinski, the Pittsburgh Pirates are simply not swinging at balls outside of the strike zone. The Pirates rank fourth in baseball with a 9.7 percent walk rate, while striking out just 22.3 percent of the time. Last season, Pittsburgh walked at an 8.1 percent clip while striking out 25.3 percent of the time. Trailing just the Dodgers, Pittsburgh ranks second in lowest O-Swing%, or swings at pitches outside the strike zone. Suwinski is leading the charge, dialing in his approach with a measly 20.0 O-Swing%.
While this approach may not work for many, Suwinski is making less contact, yet putting up a better line than last season. The selectiveness has paid off, as Suwinski has raised his wRC+ from 100 as a rookie to 122 this season. In addition, Suwinski’s maximum exit velocity has also jumped up, now ranking in the 93rd percentile of the league. Power has been his calling card since being drafted out of high school in 2016, as scouts have warned of a so-so hit tool. So, how does one get to their strong power even without a great hit tool? Simple, swing only when damage can be done. Suwinski is now hitting 44.0 percent of his batted balls hard, according to Baseball Savant.
Andrew McCutchen, who began as a feel good story, is now walking at a 15.5 percent rate, up nearly six percent from last season. McCutchen was roughly league average last season, but has posted a strong 125 wRC+, with eight home runs and seven doubles. Surprise, surprise, McCutchen is swinging at less pitches outside of the strike zone, and is doing damage despite middling exit velocities.
Not to be outdone, Connor Joe has swung at less than 20 percent of the pitches he has seen outside of the strike zone. Joe is having a career season, with a 123 wRC+ and 1.3 fWAR, both of which would be career highs. In just 53 games, Joe has nearly matched his career high of eight home runs, belting six.
Do not forget about Bryan Reynolds, who is striking out far less this season, and hitting the ball harder than ever. Reynolds’ average exit velocity of 92.7 mph is a career high and places the switch-hitter in the 92nd percentile in the league.