Reyes motivated to make Pirates' roster

BRADENTON, Fla. -- This time last year, Pablo Reyes was a little nervous. It was his first Major League Spring Training. He wasn’t on the Pirates’ 40-man roster, and he hadn’t played above Double-A yet. Still, he hung around big league camp until March 20 thanks to his ability to play multiple positions.

This spring is a little different for Reyes. The Pirates' No. 18 prospect per MLB Pipeline was a pleasant surprise for the club after being called up last September, batting .293 with an .832 OPS and three homers in 18 games. He played four different positions and made a pair of highlight-reel grabs in right field. Now, he has a real chance to make the Opening Day roster.

So yes, Reyes is more comfortable and confident this spring. The day he reported to Pirate City, players he might not have known all that well a year ago shouted his name and greeted him with hugs and high fives in the clubhouse. But Reyes’ initial success in the Majors last year also left him feeling motivated.

“At the end of the season, I got back to the Dominican [Republic] and I thought, ‘I want to win, and I want to make the team when I go back again,’” Reyes said. “That’s something I can control by working hard at every position to get here, get ready and try to make the team.”

That motivation is nothing new for Reyes. He’s always had to prove himself.

His hopes of joining a Major League organization when he was 16 years old were dashed due to his stature, so he waited two years and worked before beginning his professional career. He was hardly mentioned on top prospect lists, even as he steadily progressed through the Pirates’ system. Listed at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, Reyes still might not wow anyone with his physical tools.

“When you have motivation, you can do anything,” Reyes said.

The Pirates will give Reyes another opportunity this spring to prove himself worthy of a spot on their Opening Day bench. He played in Pittsburgh’s first three Grapefruit League games at three different positions: center field on Saturday, shortstop on Sunday and second base on Monday.

He made a nice play at second against the Red Sox, scooping up a hard-hit grounder to start a 4-6-3 double play in the first inning of the Pirates’ 4-3 win. But if Reyes is going to be Pittsburgh’s next super-utility player, he’ll have to hold his own in center field and at shortstop.

With Adam Frazier establishing himself at second base and Lonnie Chisenhall set to start the season in right field, Reyes might be the Bucs’ best bet to back up Starling Marte on the center fielder’s rare days off. Pittsburgh often carries three players capable of manning shortstop, and Reyes could round out a trio that seems likely to include starting options Erik González and Kevin Newman.

The Pirates asked Reyes’ Dominican Winter League team, Tigres del Licey, to use him at shortstop over the offseason. He played there and also saw time at second and third and in the outfield. Reyes said he has felt good so far this spring at shortstop, where he played exclusively during his first season in the Pirates organization in 2012.

Reyes’ versatility will bolster his case for a spot on the bench. And his good first impression in September couldn’t have hurt, right?

“It beats the heck out of a negative one anytime,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “For him to put out the quality at-bats that he did and do the defensive work that he did, it was a good showing. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and he made a very favorable one."