Potential Pirates Breakout Candidates for 2025

Given the not-so-exciting offseason for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the club will rely on internal improvement if they want to make a meaningful jump in the standings this season.

Though surrounded by veterans, the Pirates’ roster as a whole remains youthful. Among the players still getting acclimated, there are several who look like potential breakout candidates for 2025.

Last year, it was Joey Bart and Dennis Santana — two in-season acquisitions — who played the part. For this season, keep these names in mind.

Nick Gonzales

Gonzales carved out a meaningful role with the Pirates last season after he was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis in May. The 2020 first-rounder totaled 94 games, most of which came as the starting second baseman.

Though his power disappeared for a time, Gonzales finished the season with a .270 batting average, a .709 OPS, 19 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and five steals.

It was a substantial jump for Gonzales from his rookie season in 2023, when he hit .209 with a .616 OPS in 35 games.

I’ve loved Gonzales’ swing since the time the Pirates drafted him out of New Mexico State. I feel as though he has what it takes to become a solid everyday player at second.

Endy Rodríguez

Like Gonzales, Rodríguez made his MLB debut in 2023. Unlike Gonzales, we didn’t get to see him last year.

Rodríguez did not appear in a game for the Pirates in 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in the offseason. He did appear in a handful of minor-league games at the end of the year and should be a full-go for Opening Day 2025.

Rodríguez provided quality defense during his debut season two years ago but hit just .220/.284/.328 in 57 games. However, his minor-league track record is impressive. Across six seasons in the minors, the 24-year-old has hit .295/.383/.506 in 366 games.

Though his role is in question assuming Joey Bart is the starting catcher, Rodríguez could be an impact presence in a Pirates’ lineup that desperately needs one.

Kyle Nicolas

“Closer’s stuff” is often used amongst Pirates’ personnel to describe Nicolas’ arsenal.

The soon-to-be 26-year-old features a four-seam fastball that sits in the upper-90s, a curveball and a slider. His fastball grades as his best pitch but there is promise at times with his breaking stuff.

Nicolas pitched 51 games out of the bullpen for the Pirates in 2024 and went 2-2 with a 3.95 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched.

The only thing that really plagued Nicolas was wildness at times (31 walks). If he’s able to live in the strike zone more consistently, he could find himself in more and more high-leverage relief roles. The Pirates’ bullpen needs it.

Oneil Cruz

OK, my final candidate isn’t necessarily a “breakout’ one as he’s coming off of a solid season. Cruz hit .259 with a .773 OPS, 34 doubles, three triples, 21 home runs and 22 steals in 23 attempts across 146 games.

But there’s more potential. Cruz hits the ball harder than anyone in baseball. He runs as fast as anyone in the league. It’s not out of the question to expect a 30/30 season from the 26-year-old this year, and that would be quite an accomplishment.

Outside of Paul Skenes, Cruz possesses more upside than anyone else on the Pirates’ roster. He could carry an otherwise mediocre lineup and serve as a difference-maker, someone who truly instills fear in the opposing pitcher. It’s been a while since the Pirates have had that.

The Pirates’ offense could go as far as Cruz carries them this year.