MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Versatility is always a valuable trait to have in any venture, but Indianapolis utility man J.B. Shuck sees that value trending upward in baseball.
Shuck, speaking before the Indians' game Saturday, said players who can be designated as "two-way players" will become more useful to major-league and minor-league teams alike in the coming seasons.
Shuck, a sixth-round draft pick in 2008 who signed with the Pirates as a free agent this offseason, was sent down to Triple-A Indianapolis in May to work on the versatility of adding pitching back to his game. A 32-year-old Ohio native, Shuck was a two-way standout at Ohio State.
"I'm getting to do a little bit of everything. I'm learning how to pitch again," Shuck said of his move to Indy. "I threw in college, so I have a little bit of a background, but it's been a few years. I've gotten a few innings here and there in pro ball."
According to rule changes set to go into effect in MLB in 2020, the number of pitchers a team will be able to carry will be capped and clubs will have to designate each person on their roster as either a pitcher or position player before their first day on the active roster. That designation can't change until the end of the season.
However, position players will be permitted to pitch if they are designated as a "two-way player," which the player can earn by pitching at least 20 major league innings and starting 20 major league games as a position player or designated hitter in either the current or prior season.
Position players can also pitch in extra innings and in any game in which his team is losing or winning by more than six runs when he enters the game.
Though mostly used as an outfielder in his professional career, Shuck was considered a valuable commodity at Ohio State.
Shuck led the Buckeyes in ERA and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year his first season on campus in 2006. In 2008, he led the team in strikeouts and was later drafted by the Houston Astros in the sixth round, then turned his focus more to hitting.
This year, Shuck has thrown in seven games with Indy, including one start. He's managed 8.0 innings, giving up seven runs on 11 hits, three of which were home runs. He's walked seven and struck out 11. He also threw a one-hit inning with the Pirates this season.
Previously in his professional career, Shuck has an inning to his credit with the Chicago White Sox and Triple-A Oklahoma City.
When Shuck was approached with the idea of pitching this year, he said he embraced it.
"I think with the new rules, it's something (the Pirates and I) were willing to try out," Shuck said. "I think it could be a good fit. It's going well so far."
Shuck said he hopes that versatility in his game will help his career stretch out a little farther.
"I think it's very useful, especially with these new rules coming in," he said. "If I can get in to where I can get this two-way player thing under my belt, I think it's a huge tool to put in my bag that can extend my career."
Pitching, though, can oftentimes require a different mindset, but Shuck said it hasn't been difficult for him to transition mentally to the mound.
"It's pretty much the same mindset for me," Shuck said. "I'm going out trying to compete and get the job done, whether it's hitting or pitching."
Off the mound, Shuck is hitting .274 with three home runs and 14 RBIs this season in Indy. He also has nine doubles and two triples on the year in 46 games with the Tribe. He spent 27 games with the Pirates to start the season and hit .213 with just two RBIs.
Shuck said his day-to-day routine has adjusted, but he's taken it in stride with hopes of making it permanent.
"I try not to do anything too differently," he said. "I still get into the cage every day, I'm just working on pitching, too. I take BP and then whatever the situation is that day, I'll focus on whatever I need to. It's been fun learning how to adjust and how to make it something that I can get used to."
TRIBE’S TOP HITTERS
Here’s who I’ve identified as the Indians’ top hitters over the past week:
Kevin Kramer, INF: - 5 for 19 (.263) with two home runs and two RBIs
Ke’Bryan Hayes, INF: - 5 for 21 (.238) with two doubles, a home run and two RBIs
Cole Tucker, INF: - 6 for 20 (.300) with a home run and three RBIs
TRIBE’S TOP PITCHERS
Top starting performance: James Marvel went six innings in a win against Syracuse Wednesday. He allowed just one hit and struck out seven hitters. He's now 3-0 with an ERA of 1.90.
Top reliever performance: Dovydas Neverauskas made two appearances last week, tossing 3.0 innings. He didn't allow a run and held opponents hitless. He stuck out four.
ROSTER MOVES/INJURIES
7/23: LHP Brandon Waddell transferred from Double-A Altoona to Indianapolis.
7/25: RHP Alex McRae recalled by Pittsburgh.
7/27: LHP Tyler Lyons reinstated from paternity list.
7/28: RHP Luis Escobar optioned by Pittsburgh (7/25), active in Indianapolis.
UTIL Darnell Sweeney transferred from Indianapolis to Double-A Altoona.
Waddell is wearing No. 34.
THE RESULTS/SCHEDULE
The Indians went 3-3 over the past seven days, taking two of three from Syracuse but losing two of three to Rochester. The Tribe hosts Columbus for a two-game series beginning today before heading to Toledo for a two-game tilt. Indy ends the weekend at home with a three-game series against Columbus.
INDY FUN THING
Enjoy:
.@itsgeoffnotjeff and @WCraigers22 are our new favorite best friends pair. ??@MarathonPetroCo | #RollTribe pic.twitter.com/ALYbmINO98
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) July 27, 2019
