Pittsburgh Pirates Three Stars of the Week

Every Monday here at Pittsburgh Baseball Now, we will be highlighting the three best performers from the week before. Similar to how it is done in hockey, we will be naming the first, second and third stars based off performance.

Although the Pirates went just 1-5 during the week, there were a few players who had some noteworthy performances.

In the first installment ever, three position players make earned the honors. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Third Star: Colin Moran – .313./.353./.688 5-for-16, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R, BB, 5 games

Moran was activated off the injured list back on 8/6 and impressed in his first full week back.  Highlighted by a two homer game on 8/12 vs. Milwaukee, Moran showed that he seems to be fully healed from the wrist fracture that kept him out for over a month.  For an offense that has had its fair share of struggles, Moran will be counted on to anchor the cleanup spot and drive in runs like he did this past week.

What a mighty good Moran. pic.twitter.com/e0g53rkzFK

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 12, 2021

Second Star: Bryan Reynolds – .316/.381/.632 6-for-19, 2 HR 6 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 games

Reynolds did, well essentially what he has done all year. He hit, he hit for power and he did it on the defensive side too, making a couple nice grabs and throwing out a runner at the plate.  Despite the Pirates’ woeful record, Reynolds finds himself in the National League MVP discussion, tied for second with Trae Turner in fWAR (4.3), trailing only Max Muncy of the Dodgers (4.5).

STOP RUNNING ON REYNOLDS pic.twitter.com/EziSUV1wRr

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 15, 2021

First Star: Kevin Newman – .421/.421/.737 8-for-19, 6 doubles, 2 RBI, 5 R, 6 games

A surprise first star, but a deserving one none the less.  Led by an MLB record tying four-double game in the first game of Saturday’s double header, Newman raised his OPS by 30 points with an impressive stretch of baseball. Newman has struggled mightily at the plate since the start of last season, but he showed flashes of his impressive 2019 rookie campaign last week.

Quadruple double. pic.twitter.com/7UHFX4mhVY

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 14, 2021

After a six-game homestand this past week, the Pirates begin a six-game road trip starting tonight vs. the Dodgers, before heading to St. Louis to play the Cardinals on Friday. Check back next Monday to see the top three performers of the road trip.