Who the Hell Is Steve Pearce?

“Who the hell is Steve Pearce?”

This was my question on June 3, 2012. The Orioles hadn’t yet convinced us that their season would be different than the last fourteen. Despite some early season magic (see Davis pitching in Boston), there was still much reason for doubt. The team had recently snapped a six-game losing streak, and injuries to outfielders Nick Markakis and (shocker) Nolan Reimold) had the roster looking dangerously thin.

Enter some guy from the Yankees’ minor league system. He joined his new team in Tampa Bay (good thing he was accustomed to playing in minor league facilities), and started in right field. Pearce went 1-4, but I was unimpressed. He looked like a dumpy AAAA player, and nothing special. Certainly nothing that would save me from another disappointing season. Perhaps true, but Pearce wasn’t useless. He batted .254/.321/.437 with four doubles, three homers and 14 RBIs in 28 games, before he was designated him for assignment to make room for “superstar” Omar Qunitanilla. Houston claimed him, but was unable to keep him on the roster, so he was picked back up by the Yankees. Then, despite all promises to the contrary, things got weird. The Orioles claimed Pearce off waivers again, when the Yankees designated him. Steve Pearce was one of those wacky things that made 2012 so improbably fun. We still call him “Who the Hell Is Steve Pearce” to this day.

Pearce’s last remaining minor league options were exhausted in 2013, though he did appear in 44 games as a reserve corner outfielder, first baseman, and right-handed bad off the bench. Coming into the 2014 season, the Orioles knew that if they wanted to keep Pearce, they’d need to keep him on the 25-man roster. The decision became easier when Nolan Reimold dependably went on the DL. Still, Pearce rode pine for much of the season, until being designated for assignment due to a roster crunch. When Pearce was claimed by the Blue Jays, he elected for free agency, and re-signed with the Orioles, who suddenly missed him after Chris Davis went down with injury. Maybe this was all part of a gentleman’s agreement between Pearce and the Orioles. Maybe it was just dumb luck.

Whatever the case, Pearce has shown exactly why teams keep claiming him:

He’s versatile.

Steve Pearce can capably play first base, the corner outfield spots, he’s the team’s emergency catcher. Look, Pearce will never win a gold glove, but he is a dependable backup, who can occasionally flash the leather. Take his game on May 8,  2014 – the game featured him perfectly executing an infield pinch to get the lead runner at third on a bunt. He followed it up with an acrobatic play, somehow staying on the bag while bailing out Jonathan Schoop on a poor throw from second. Again, his defense will never be special, but he’s someone who major league managers can put on the field with confidence.

He’s got some pop.

Pearce has power. Let’s not fool ourselves into claiming he’s Hank Aaron. In just under 900 major league plate appearances, he has 20 home runs. But he already has 3 home runs in just 12 games for the Orioles in 2014. Pearce’s power made him a presence in the Tampa Bay series, and nobody is really surprised when it happens.

He’s cheap.

The Orioles will get far more this season then they will get from Nolan Reimold. On a $700,000 contract, it’s a bargain in comparison, as well.

He understands his place in major league baseball.

I think this is the biggest asset. Pearce has all this going for him, yet he knows that he’s the first guy to go when rosters get tight. His career is one of being the 25th guy on the roster. But he seems to have made his peace with that. Pearce isn’t just a professional baseball player, he’s a career backup player. While he wants regular playing time to show what he can do, he knows that his ability to be ready at a moment’s notice is what butters his bread. In post game interviews, he deflects credit and talks about the team. He pointed to his teammates as a major reason he chose to come back to the Orioles. I get the impression this isn’t lip service – he’s a team guy.

Eventually, he will retire as an unremarkable baseball player. But Pearce is a good guy to have on the team, and as I’m sure you’re aware, Buck likes those guys. I’ll admit, I like him too. Here at Bird’s Eye View,  “Who the Hell Is” Steve Pearce has gone from a derisive nickname to an affectionate one. In a day or so, Chris Davis will rejoin the team, and cause the Orioles brain trust another difficult decision. Candidates for getting the axe are Pearce and Delmon Young. Caleb Joseph and David Lough are probably safe (but “probably” is never a good sign when you’re talking about job security). I hope the Orioles keep Pearce. He’s proven himself useful in the past, which is why the team keeps going back to him. Why not just cut to the chase and keep him?