Bryan Reynolds is moving to right field, according to Derek Shelton.
In his first availability of spring training, Shelton said Wednesday Reynolds will start in right field while Tommy Pham will take over in left field.
"I think there's a good chance that we are going to see Bryan in right," Shelton said. "We'll play Tommy in left and then the mix of the other guys we have. But I think our plan is right now to play Bryan in right."
Reynolds, who had the second-most outfield assists (11) in Major League Baseball last season, played 157 innings in right field and recorded four assists, but spent a majority of his time in left field (1016 2/3 innings).
Shelton said they planned on keeping him in right field last year, but "other circumstances" led them to move him back to left field.
"Now we're going to shorten up where he's at," Shelton said. "We think we can take advantage of his full skill set by being in right."
Here's his full availability:
• With Spencer Hortwitz's injury, Shelton said its going to provide opportunities for different guys at first base, whether they've played there in the past or not. Ben Cherington did shut down the possibility of Endy Rodriguez moving there this season and they plan to let him get settled back in at catcher.
• Shelton said bringing back Daniel Vogelbach in as a special assistant to the hitting department, was a matter of Vogelbach wanting to get back in the game after retiring and he has a previous relationship with both Shelton and hitting coach Matt Hague: "I think what he does is he provides a really unique perspective of a guy that has just played as soon as last year. So we can talk about approach and talk about pitchers. So it's important, it's nice to have him here."
Vogelbach will bounce around the minor-league teams, according to Shelton, but will also spend time with the Pirates. They haven't fully developed a plan for where his time will be spent.
• It was an exciting scene today as at one point, Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller and Bubba Chandler were all throwing bullpens at the same time. That provided just a slight forecast of the type of talent that the starting rotation has. Shelton flashed a bright smile when he was asked about it and said called it "the deepest group we've had since I've been here. It's the most talented group we've had from top to bottom. Even the guys we brought in, the six-year free agents we brought in, have major league experience, and significant major league experience and I think that's important."
• Speaking on Tommy Pham, Shelton said he cares about winning, first and foremost, which he said made him an attractive addition. "You talk to anybody that's been around him, this guy wants to win, all he talks about is winning, he lives it, he appreciates it and talks to his teammates about it and I think that's somebody that's really important."
• On Adam Frazier, Shelton said he'll be a utility guy that will fight for spots around the field. Shelton sees Frazier's playoff experience, along with Pham's for that matter, as a valuable addition to the clubhouse: "All he (Frazier), wants to do is win. I mean, this is a guy that's played eight years in the big leagues and, like you said, the last three years, he's played in the playoffs and on playoff teams and he brings that attitude in. Basically what he said to me was 'Whatever you want to do, all I want to do is win,' and that's really important to add to our group and our clubhouse."
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
12:28 pm - 02.12.2025Bradenton, Fla.Shelton: Reynolds to right field
Bryan Reynolds is moving to right field, according to Derek Shelton.
In his first availability of spring training, Shelton said Wednesday Reynolds will start in right field while Tommy Pham will take over in left field.
"I think there's a good chance that we are going to see Bryan in right," Shelton said. "We'll play Tommy in left and then the mix of the other guys we have. But I think our plan is right now to play Bryan in right."
Reynolds, who had the second-most outfield assists (11) in Major League Baseball last season, played 157 innings in right field and recorded four assists, but spent a majority of his time in left field (1016 2/3 innings).
Shelton said they planned on keeping him in right field last year, but "other circumstances" led them to move him back to left field.
"Now we're going to shorten up where he's at," Shelton said. "We think we can take advantage of his full skill set by being in right."
Here's his full availability:
• With Spencer Hortwitz's injury, Shelton said its going to provide opportunities for different guys at first base, whether they've played there in the past or not. Ben Cherington did shut down the possibility of Endy Rodriguez moving there this season and they plan to let him get settled back in at catcher.
• Shelton said bringing back Daniel Vogelbach in as a special assistant to the hitting department, was a matter of Vogelbach wanting to get back in the game after retiring and he has a previous relationship with both Shelton and hitting coach Matt Hague: "I think what he does is he provides a really unique perspective of a guy that has just played as soon as last year. So we can talk about approach and talk about pitchers. So it's important, it's nice to have him here."
Vogelbach will bounce around the minor-league teams, according to Shelton, but will also spend time with the Pirates. They haven't fully developed a plan for where his time will be spent.
• It was an exciting scene today as at one point, Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller and Bubba Chandler were all throwing bullpens at the same time. That provided just a slight forecast of the type of talent that the starting rotation has. Shelton flashed a bright smile when he was asked about it and said called it "the deepest group we've had since I've been here. It's the most talented group we've had from top to bottom. Even the guys we brought in, the six-year free agents we brought in, have major league experience, and significant major league experience and I think that's important."
• Speaking on Tommy Pham, Shelton said he cares about winning, first and foremost, which he said made him an attractive addition. "You talk to anybody that's been around him, this guy wants to win, all he talks about is winning, he lives it, he appreciates it and talks to his teammates about it and I think that's somebody that's really important."
• On Adam Frazier, Shelton said he'll be a utility guy that will fight for spots around the field. Shelton sees Frazier's playoff experience, along with Pham's for that matter, as a valuable addition to the clubhouse: "All he (Frazier), wants to do is win. I mean, this is a guy that's played eight years in the big leagues and, like you said, the last three years, he's played in the playoffs and on playoff teams and he brings that attitude in. Basically what he said to me was 'Whatever you want to do, all I want to do is win,' and that's really important to add to our group and our clubhouse."
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Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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