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Pittsburgh Pirates' Connor Joe stands in the batter's box during an at-bat in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Washington.
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Connor Joe’s improved defensive metrics provide glimpse into Pirates’ calculated approach

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Connor Joe’s improved defensive metrics provide glimpse into Pirates’ calculated approach

Connor Joe’s curiosity immediately surfaced as he sought out an answer.

“How hard was that throw?”

The toss Joe was referring to was a third-inning heave from right field in the Pirates’ 8-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. At that juncture in the game, the Pirates were deadlocked in a 1-1 contest and starter Roansy Contreras was attempting to tightrope out of an ill-desired situation.

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The Diamondbacks were threatening with a runner at third and one away. Two-hitter Ketel Marte had lofted a ball to right field that traveled 257 feet, per Statcast. Joe, who was playing right field, camped under the fly ball and fired a perfect pellet to cut-off man Carlos Santana.

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Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera, tagging at third base, only did so to draw a throw and never seriously considered challenging Joe, a former catcher himself. The play from the versatile first-year Pirate was representative of a season in which Joe has not only exceeded expectations at the plate but in the field, too.

As the culmination of the first third of the 2023 season nears, Joe is on track for his best defensive season in the big leagues yet. He’s produced 1 out above average (OAA) so far after registering a minus-4 OAA rating last season with the Colorado Rockies.

Joe pointed to the work he’s done with his setup in the outfield, which has allowed him to use his hips in a more efficient manner and get better jumps on fly balls as a result. But more so, Joe chalked up his defensive success thus far to the plethora of information he’s receiving from the team’s coaching staff and specifically highlighted first-base coach Tarrik Brock, who doubles as the Pirates’ outfield instructor.

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“I think the analytics department is good about setting us up for success, whether it's positioning or that sort of stuff,” Joe said. “I think the freedom to use my athleticism is allowing me to play free and easy, and when you play free and easy, not worried about too much stuff, you're able to play your best.”

Manager Derek Shelton similarly commended Brock, as well as bench coach Don Kelly, for their contributions to a collectively improved Pirates defense.

“They incorporate our performance team to find out where we have guys' weaknesses and strengths and then try to isolate that,” Shelton said. “So if we understand that a guy's quicker going one way or another, then how are we going to maximize that not only in the weight room but on the field when we're doing practical work?"

The work Shelton alluded to includes various pregame preparations, such as shagging fly balls during batting practice. But rather than chase down every airborne baseball for the sake of doing so, Joe and other Pirates outfielders are taking calculated approaches that don’t necessitate horsehide meeting leather.

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Joe said that lately, he’s prioritizing making sure that his reads on fly balls, as well as his first three steps, are in line with where the ball’s going to land. Considering Joe has yet to make a fielding error this season and is moving laterally at a league-average rate this season, the strategy seems to be benefiting him.

“You learn to try to get work in without expending all your energy,” the 30-year-old veteran said.

Joe is keenly aware that over the course of a 162-game season, it’s easy to burn out, which is part of what makes his improved defense across the board all that more impressive. Despite the bulk of his innings coming in the outfield this season, he’s still spelling Santana from time to time at first base in an effective manner, as evidenced by his 1 OAA.

Joe has a lot to juggle, considering Shelton could ask him to play first base, either left or right field or some combination of the aforementioned positions in any game. But the savvy veteran who has crafted a niche in the big leagues because of position versatility and a solid bat isn’t simply a jack of all trades who can adequately play wherever needed.

This year, as the defensive metrics will support, the Pirates’ emphasis on working smart rather than just hard during pregame activities is rewarding the likes of Joe.

“I've learned what I need at each position to stay sharp,” Joe said. “I think it's a good balance of knowing when to exert yourself in different spots, what you need that day and trying to maximize reps without expending a lot of energy.”

Andrew Destin: adestin@post-gazette.com and Twitter @AndrewDestin1.

First Published: May 22, 2023, 10:45 p.m.

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Pittsburgh Pirates' Connor Joe stands in the batter's box during an at-bat in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Washington.  (Patrick Semansky/Associated Press)
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