Joe gets first taste of center field in spring-training win over Rays

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Throughout his professional career, Connor Joe’s versatility has allowed him to play a variety of different positions at multiple levels. He's appeared at first base, lined up at the hot corner and spent plenty of innings at each of the corner outfield positions. 

But Joe being penciled in as the starting center fielder against the Rays was new. He had never played the position in a game prior to Friday's appearance.

“A week or so ago, Shelty approached me and asked me how I felt about it. He said he wants to see me out there and I was really excited,” Joe explained. “A few days ago he told me I’d be out there in today’s game and I was a little anxious, it’s a new position, but I’ve been working hard with Tarrik (Brock) and during BP to get live reads. I felt comfortable out there.” 

Joe was put to the test early in the team's 12-8 win over Tampa Bay, collecting a pair of putouts for the final two outs of the first inning. He finished with three in six innings out in center. At the plate, he went 0 for 2 with a walk. 

“I didn’t get too much of a challenge, but I got a couple of balls, which is cool,” Joe said. “The reads off the bat are actually a lot truer than the corners. Obviously there’s just a lot more ground to cover.” 

Derek Shelton sees Joe as an important asset with the versatility that allows him to play all over the diamond while providing quality offensive production in the process.

“I think we’re just trying to see how we can deploy that asset and how many positions we can do it at,” Shelton said. “It's just giving us options in terms of left-handed pitching with what we do with having (Edward) Olivares and Bryan (Reynolds) being over there. Don't know how we're going to play it out, but we wanted to see him in center. He had two or three balls and he looked fine. It's just trying to add versatility to our group."

Joe can now say he’s played at every outfield spot, as well as each infield position aside from shortstop, during his professional career. He spent time as a catcher during his collegiate years at the University of San Diego and made two starts at second base in the minors during the 2018 season. He played in over 140 games at third during his six-year tenure as a minor-league player.

“There’s obviously a reason why they asked me how I feel about it and why they’re giving me reps in spring training games,” Joe said. “I think, first and foremost, it helps the team, which is great. Personally, for me, if I’m able to play there, it could open up some doors and I’m excited about that. It came from the manager, so I’m happy to do it. I’m happy to work at it at this time and make myself available for him to put me there sometime during the season.” 

Joe is coming off a 2023 season in which he appeared in 110 games between first base and right field. He also appeared in 32 games in left. In addition to serving as a versatile defensive contributor, Joe put together a solid offensive resume in a career-high 413 at-bats through 133 games. He batted .247/.339/.421 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs, while totaling over 100 hits, scoring 63 runs and mashing 31 doubles. He finished tied for third on the team in runs scored and shared the team lead in doubles. 

More than anything, Joe is willing to contribute in any way possible for the team that originally drafted him with the 39th overall pick in the 2014 draft. He was traded to the Braves in exchange for Sean Rodriguez in 2017 before eventually finding his way back to Pittsburgh and carving out an important role as a utility player who can contribute wherever he's needed. 

“It was an awesome experience and really cool to come back to the organization that drafted me and be able to play at PNC every day," Joe said following the team's final workout at Pirate City last week. "As you get drafted, you dream of showing up every day to PNC and making Pittsburgh home for the summer. For that to come to life was amazing. On the field was also a great experience. I was really grateful for those opportunities. To be able to make an impact and help the team in the ways I did, I was really happy with it.”