Pirates John Jaso could fill first base need

BRADENTON -- Armed with an aggressive approach at the plate and an eagerness to fill a need at first base, John Jaso was a free agent that epitomized what the Pittsburgh Pirates were looking for.

And Jaso, who spent his entire Major League Baseball career in the American League, was ready for the challenge that the National League presented.

Despite training since January, Jaso was still one of several position players that officially reported by Monday's report date and took part in Tuesday's first full squad workout.

A pitcher, shortstop and catcher in high school, Jaso developed into a big league catcher with the Tampa Bay Rays.

But too many concussions left Jaso off the field and in a designated hitters role. It's there that Jaso shined, generating an on-base percentage of .380 in 2015. That was well above the MLB's .317 OBP average, and it meant the Pirates were on the hunt to attain his services.

"Wants to play both sides of the ball, wants to be engaged in the game and really believes he can do it," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "We felt it was a good get for us based on the man and based on opportunities."

An aggressive plate approach really clicked for Jaso the first time he was thrust into a lineup spot that he never was accustomed to before, and that was the leadoff position during his time with the Rays.

It was a game against the New York Yankees, Jaso recalled, that sparked his belief that he can hit from anywhere in the lineup.

"It was weird, because my name was just there on the lineup," he said. "I wasn't told about it or anything like that. But Davey Martinez was our bench coach ... and he told me, 'Man, you wouldn't be hitting there if we didn't like what you were doing as far as that spot goes. So don't do anything different. Just do what you do.' So I've just kind of carried that wherever I go. And I've hit all throughout the lineup."

But to become an everyday player in

far as that spot goes. So don't do anything different. Just do what you do.' So I've just kind of carried that wherever I go. And I've hit all throughout the lineup."

But to become an everyday player in Pittsburgh, Jaso had to take a shot at playing first because the DH spot isn't available in the NL. Yet Jaso jumped at the chance to join a playoff contender.

After signing a two-year deal worth $8 million, Jaso landed with the Bucs, who have been in dire need of stability at first base.

Pedro Alvarez logged 124 games at first base last year, but committed 23 errors.

Jaso, meanwhile, has 18 appearances at the position -- two in the majors.

But coming from a catching background, the technical aspects such as where to go on bunt plays makes the transition a little smoother.

"I was right there in the mix," said Jaso, who holds a lifetime .263/.361/.406 slash line with 37 career home runs. "... Because you're just so involved as a catcher. It would be a lot harder transitioning from a first baseman to a catcher."

So while Jaso figures into a platoon plan with Michael Morse for the Bucs, his bat was a key reason.

"It was a guy with the bat that has always intrigued us," Hurdle said. "To plug that bat into the lineup, to give it a large volume of at-bats, the on-base percentage, the barrel to the ball contact, the gap power ... to try and help grow other guys in the lineup, the conversation has gone back many years to bring him in."

He also presents an easy-going attitude, which Matt Joyce -- the third former Rays player the Pirates have signed -- said was something he looked forward to coming over to Pittsburgh.

"He's your kind of perfect player that you'd want as a teammate and as a player," Joyce said. "Somebody that's going to ... go out there every day, work hard, give you great at-bats, play the game right way."

Jason Dill, sports reporter, can be reached at 745-7017. Follow him on Twitter @Jason__Dill and like his Facebook page at Jason Dill Bradenton Herald.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Pirates John Jaso could fill first base need ."