Versatile, hard-swinging Hoy Park willing to play anywhere for Pirates

Hoy Park likes to keep his swing simple, and the newest Pittsburgh Pirate made it look effortless when he swatted a ball into the upper-right field seats Saturday afternoon at PNC Park.

“I try to be on time, looking for a good pitch to hit,” Park said. “I’m just trying to hit the ball hard and be on time.”

Park shrugged off his blast as simply batting practice. The Pirates saw the power potential when they acquired the 25-year-old infielder from Seoul, South Korea, from the New York Yankees on Monday in exchange for right-handed reliever Clay Holmes.

“He’s made some adjustments in his swing,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said, “which our scouts and baseball ops people have identified that we like.”

Hoy Park BP pic.twitter.com/qLuKAhEhi9

— Jake Crouse (@JakeCrouseMLB) July 31, 2021

The Pirates had to love Park’s production at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder led the East League in batting (.327), on-base percentage (.475), OPS (1.042) and walks (46), ranked third in runs (44) and fourth in slugging (.567).

After three games at Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pirates selected Park’s contract Saturday and activated him to the major league roster. To make room, they optioned outfielder Jared Oliva to Indianapolis. The Pirates also added Bryse Wilson, one of two right-handed pitchers acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the Richard Rodriguez trade Friday, to the major league roster.

Ranked the No. 13 international prospect by MLB.com when he signed with the Yankees for $1.1 million as an 18-year-old in 2014, Park’s path to the majors was blocked by an All-Star cast. But he made his major league debut with the Yankees on July 16, grounding out as a pinch hitter and playing two innings in right field against the Boston Red Sox.

“I was kind of shocked when I got traded,” Park said, “but it’s going to be a really good opportunity for me, and I just want to help my teammates.”

Park chatted with a former teammate in the Philadelphia Phillies’ Didi Gregorius during battting practice but is more excited to be reunited with another mentor in Pirates outfielder Ben Gamel.

“He’s kind of my big brother,” Park said. “I was with him my first two years with the Yankees. I asked him everything about baseball things. He answered every thing right. He’s my guy.”

Park started the season at Double-A Somerset (N.J.) before being promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he played 23 games at second base, 20 at shortstop, five in center field and one in left. In three games at Indianapolis, he played second base, shortstop and left field.

“In the middle of the diamond, second and short, we envision him both of those spots,” Shelton said. “And he’s played the outfield, not only in the big leagues, but in Triple-A. There’s a chance he can bounce out there. We really like his versatility.”

Park is willing to play wherever the Pirates want, noting he’s most comfortable at shortstop and second base but can play all three outfield positions.

“If they need me to play anywhere, I’ll be there to try to help the team,” Park said. “It doesn’t matter where I’m at.”