CINCINNATI -- The best catch in the Pirates’ game against the Reds Thursday came in the bottom of the fifth inning when Bryan Reynolds robbed Tyler Naquin of a home run to center.
That arguably wasn’t the best catch at the ballpark that day, though.
During batting practice before the game, Hoy Park was shagging fly balls in left field. On one line drive, he made a quick break on a ball breaking towards the left field corner. He was able to track it down, reaching over his body to make an over the shoulder grab, drawing some applause from the ballhawks who watched.
If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was a lifelong outfielder. Instead, it is a pretty new development for him. Going into 2019, Park, a lifelong shortstop, was broached by the Yankees about learning another position.
Then there was another, and another. Now, he can play every position outside pitcher, catcher and first base.
“It started really hard,” Park was telling me on the field at Great American Ball Park about learning those new positions, especially the outfield. He then cracked a grin. “Now, I like it.”
That versatility has really come into play in Park’s short time with the Pirates. In his five games with the Pirates since being acquired from the Yankees in the Clay Holmes trade, Park has played all three outfield positions and shortstop. On Thursday, he was originally penciled in to play second before Ben Gamel was scratched due to hamstring tightness, booting the rookie out to left field instead.
The final two months of this season are going to be focused on player evaluation. It’s why Park is more likely to keep bouncing around for the time being.
“I think he could lock into one [position] right now,” Derek Shelton said. “We’re taking a look at the versatility… I would like to get him in the infield a little bit more and get a look at him. We’ll probably do that moving forward.”
That versatility was a theme in the major league-ready players the Pirates picked up at the deadline. They also acquired Michael Chavis from the Red Sox for lefty reliever Austin Davis and Tucupita Marcano from the Padres in the Adam Frazier trade. Both are currently with Class AAA Indianapolis and can play at least four different positions. Once they do inevitably get a call back to the majors, they’re going to get looks at a variety of positions as well.
“Having guys at one set position is nice in terms of functionality. In the National League game, and today’s game, it doesn’t play,” Shelton said. “... Having that flexibility, especially with in-game adjustments, it’s vital.”
That versatility has helped Park get into the lineup. His performance at the plate has helped keep him there. With the Yankees’ Class AAA team in Scranton-Wilkes Barre, Pa., Park hit .327 with a 1.042 OPS, 10 homers and as many strikeouts as walks (46) over 223 plate appearances.
He led the league in most offensive categories. After five good, but ultimately not great years at the plate after signing with the Yankees as an international free agent, he has enjoyed a breakout campaign that has elevated him back into prospect status.
Park has recorded a hit in every game with the Pirates so far, batting .389 with four doubles and a pair of walks.
With the Yankees’ top affiliate, a lot of the focus was on him hunting the right pitches and knowing what he should do with different pitches in different zones. He’s been taking those lessons with him in his first real taste of the majors.
“I trust myself. I trust that the work that I did will work in games,” Park said. “[I'm] trying to get on base, try to score some runs.”
While Park hasn’t been in every lineup since his promotion, he is getting consistent at-bats for the first time in the majors, an opportunity he likely would not have received with the Yankees.
That initial excitement of getting that call to the majors has yet to wear off.
“It still feels like a dream,” Park said. “I’m living the dream right now. I want to play every day and help the team win."
