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Pirates: Sean Rod, What a Time

By Rich Donahue

May 28, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Matt Joyce (17) is congratulated by first baseman Sean Rodriguez (3) after scoring a run in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Matt Joyce (17) is congratulated by first baseman Sean Rodriguez (3) after scoring a run in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Pirates close out their series in Arizona before heading to Colorado.

Who would have thought Sean Rodriguez would lead the Pirates in home runs? Yeah, I know we are three weeks into the season.  Guys like Andrew McCutchen have yet to find their swing.  Sean Rod may have only 3 homers (has hit 1 in back-to-back games), but that’s in an incredible 17 at-bats entering Sunday

Clint Hurdle keeps rolling with the hot hand of Rodriguez.  Last night he sat an equally hot Jordy Mercer and started Sean Rod at short.  Mercer hit his first home run of the year Friday batting in the leadoff spot.  It was his first start at shortstop since September of last year when he committed two errors in a last at Cincinnati.

Saturday night was an error free occasion for Sean Rod.  He was also the only source of offense for the Pirates, smashing an opposite field home run in his first at-bat.  Friday he drove in the three runs, two of which came on a two run bomb, once again in his first apart.

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Power surge from Sean Rod is a huge surprise.  Last season he only hit 4 in 2015 after smashing 12 with the Rays in 2014. He not only has the most home runs on the club, but he’s hitting .412, the highest average on the team, and is tied for third with 9 RBIs.  Granted, he does only have 17 at-bats.

The added power is a surprise, but Rodriguez got off to a hot start to last season.  He was hitting .406 through  mid-May in his super utility role.  By the middle of the season, Sean Rod had cooled down and finished the season hitting .246 and closed it with a boxing match with a Gatorade cooler.

As long as he stays hot, Hurdle must find a spot for Rodriguez.  Today against the left hander Robbie Ray, he will move over to second giving Josh Harrison day off.  I honestly hope Sean Rod goes off on a similar super utility tear like Harrison did in 2014.  It would be great for the Pirates who are still finding their way in this new offensive approach.

Next: Time to Drop Jeff Locke?

Sean Rod is going to come back to earth eventually.  Until then just enjoy the ride fan.  I know he is, what a time to be alive.

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