Pirates Season Preview: This Year Comes With Expectations
The long, cold winter has thawed and the start of the Pittsburgh Pirates season is here.
The Pirates are at Citi Field for the start of a three-game series with the New York Mets on Thursday at 1:15 p.m. ET. The game will be aired nationally on NBC, giving Pittsburgh a chance to make a strong first impression in a season that comes with real expectations.
The Pirates had an active offseason and are trying for their first postseason appearance since they lost the 2015 National League Wild Card game. The busy offseason came on the heels of yet another last place finish in the National League Central and a 71-91 record.
But before a return to the playoffs is earned or lost, the Pirates have to get through a 162-game slate.
Why the Pirates Could Be a Playoff Team
In order to be a contender, the Pirates will have to have a drastically improved offense. Last year’s abysmal showing resulted in last place finishes in runs (583), home runs (117) and OPS (.655). Obviously not where any team wants to be.
The good news is the Pirates should be better offensively this season — not that it’s a high bar to clear. But the additions of established veterans Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna — not to mention outfielders Jake Mangum and Jhostynxon García, both of whom could carve out roles — not only lengthen the lineup but provide a punch.
The additions, along with potential bounce-back seasons from Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, could result in a drastically improved offense. But the kicker is the offense might not even need to be among the best in baseball for the Pirates to be contenders.
Last year, Pittsburgh’s dormant offense was paired with playoff-quality starting pitching. While the rotation will look a little bit different than it did last season, it looks like it will again be a strength of the team.
Reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes will look to defend his crown. Despite heavy trade speculation this winter, Mitch Keller is back as a veteran stabilizer. Braxton Ashcraft will look to build upon a strong rookie season and top prospect Bubba Chandler will receive his first extended look. Carmen Mlodzinski gets a second audition as a starter to begin the year and Jared Jones could be back as early as the end of May.
In addition to the players on the Opening Day roster, the Pirates have one player in particular who is capable of being a game-changer. Top prospect Konnor Griffin will start the season in Triple-A Indianapolis, but it probably won’t be very long until he reaches Pittsburgh.
Griffin has true five-tool potential and can impact the game in all three facets. Although there may be some growing pains once he arrives, adding his services makes you feel better about the lineup and defensive alignment.
What Could Hold Them Back
It’s not far-fetched to think the Pirates are a playoff team. But it’s also not hard to see them missing the playoffs for an 11th straight season.
Making the jump from last place to the playoffs isn’t impossible — the Toronto Blue Jays went from last place in their division in 2024 to inches from a World Series Championship last year — but it’s obviously very tough to do.
In order to make the playoffs, a lot will have to go right for the Pirates. But there are a few things to be concerned about that could hold them back.
For starters, the defense — particularly in the outfield — could be a liability. A starting outfield alignment of Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz and Ryan O’Hearn has upside offensively but leaves plenty to be desired defensively.
In the infield, at least to start the season, two of the four positions will probably leave you holding your breath when a ball is put in play. Jared Triolo is a strong defender anywhere you put him and he’ll start the year at short. Spencer Horwitz was an adequate first baseman last season.
But the sure-handed Ke’Bryan Hayes is gone. Instead, Nick Gonzales will man the hot corner to begin the season, a position he’s only played a total of 10 innings in his big-league career. And at second base, Brandon Lowe is coming off his worst defensive season.
There’s also a bit of an uneasy feeling when it comes to the bullpen. There are some guys to have confidence in, like Dennis Santana who will pitch in plenty of big spots. Gregory Soto was a nice addition and is the top left-handed option. But after those two, there is something to be hesitant about with just about everyone else, even though some do come with upside.
One other thing to keep and mind if and when the time comes. If the Pirates are in it at the deadline, how much will owner Bob Nutting be open to adding further to an already record-setting payroll?
Team MVP (Top Position Player)
I was half tempted to put Konnor Griffin here, and it could very well end up being him. But given the unknown — both when he’ll arrive and how much of an immediate impact he’ll make — let’s go a different direction.
I have the Pirates 2026 team MVP being Oneil Cruz. Yes, I understand that might be an unpopular pick, but hear me out.
The Pirates have a number of hitters who could end up taking my made-up award but none of them are as talented as Cruz. To put it bluntly, this is a make-or-break season for Cruz. If he can put it all together, he has the potential to be a true 30-30 player.
Cruz worked hard this offseason to try and improve in certain areas, notably facing left-handed pitching. Let’s see if it pays off.
Team Cy Young (Top Pitcher)
Shockingly, I’m going to go with the player who won last year’s National League Cy Young.
55 starts into his big-league career and Paul Skenes has already established himself as perhaps the top starting pitcher in baseball. He has a sub-2.00 career ERA, started both All-Star games since making his debut and has a Rookie of the Year award in addition to his Cy Young.
With Skenes on the mound, the Pirates know they have a legitimate shot of winning every fifth day.
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