Perrotto: Bryan Reynolds Hopes for Change of Pace in 2025

Bryan Reynolds has experienced more than his fair share of losses in the major leagues.

The Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder debuted early in 2019, which turned into a disastrous season. The clubhouse atmosphere was the worst I’ve experienced in 38 years of being around the Pirates. They finished with a 69-93 record and general manager Neal Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle were fired.

Welcome to the big leagues, kid.

Things have not been much better under the leadership of GM Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton. The Pirates have gone 294-414 during the duo’s five years in Pittsburgh with the 76-86 records each of the last two seasons the high-water marks.

If the Pirates don’t show improvement this year, Reynolds will likely be playing for a new GM and manager next season. He might not even be back if a new regime takes over and kick-starts yet another rebuilding process by trading Reynolds.

So, the 30-year-old understands the importance of the upcoming season, which begins March 27 when the Pirates play the Marlins in Miami.

“I think there’s an urgency,” Reynolds said. “I think there should always be an urgency to win and feel that. But I think everybody knows that this is probably our best time that we’ve had, at least since I’ve been here, to really make something happen. So, I’m excited moving forward.”

The Pirates didn’t make the type of impact moves in the offseason to generate much excitement. They traded for injured first baseman Spencer Horwitz and signed five low-cost free agents in left-handed starter Andrew Heaney, lefty relievers Caleb Ferguson and Tim Mayza, left fielder Tommy Pham and utility player Adam Frazier.

While all six should be able to play a role, Reynolds feels the Pirates’ best chance for improvement is for their youngish-type players to improve. The list includes right-handers Paul Skenes and Jared Jones, relievers Carmen Mlodzinski and Kyle Nicolas, second baseman Nick Gonzales, center fielder Oneil Cruz and outfielder Jack Suwinski.

“Experience is good,” Reynolds said. “Those guys are going to be more seasoned and know what a full season feels like, what it takes, what the preparation looks like and so I think that will be big for us, just having a little more experience than we’ve had. Just weathering a season, going through the ups and the downs that come with a full season and making adjustments when you need to.”

The Pirates have often lacked leadership during Reynolds’ six seasons.

Reynolds would be that leader in a perfect world, especially considering the eight-year, $106.75-million contract he signed early in the 2023 season is the largest in franchise history. However, being vocal is not in the reserved Reynolds’ nature.

However, Reynolds understands that his status as a two-time All-Star and one of the Pirates’ best players gives him gravitas within the clubhouse. His consistency is also admirable as Reynolds has averaged 25 home runs and 81 RBIs a season over the last four years with a .276/.352/.472 slash line.

Reynolds is respected, too, because he never complains. When Reynolds was moved to left field from right field early last season, he never said a word. It was the same way at the beginning of spring training this year when he was shifted back to right field.

“I’m not going to change who I am and get in the middle of the clubhouse and scream and holler and do all that,” Reynolds said. “But I think I got better at it last year, too, just keep building that and saying things when they need to get said, little things here and there. I think for me it’s more so being in there every day, playing the game the right way, that’s also leading to it.”

It is called leading by example and Reynolds does it well,