#23
The Pittsburgh Pirates are quietly building one of the best young cores in baseball. Is 2024 the year they break out and contend?
#24 - 4th in NL Central
MIH - Oneil Cruz
MIP - Roansy Contreras
PTW - Endy Rodriguez
FP - Bryan Reynolds sign a big extension with the Pirates.
2023 Results
#23 - 76-86, 4th in NL Central
Highest WAR (Position) - Ke'Bryan Hayes
Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Mitch Keller
The Pirates started the year out strong, but faded at the end. Young players they are counting on like Ke'Bryan Hayes and Mitch Keller took huge steps forward, while their most talented player, Oneil Cruz, spent most of the season injured with a broken leg. Overall, 2023 was a solid step forward, especially when you add in that they extended star outfielder Bryan Reynolds through 2031 instead of trading him (as I predicted).
Additions / Subtractions
The Pirates have become masters of the short term veteran contracts to compliment their young core. So in comes veteran lefties Marco Gonzales and Martin Perez to stabilize the rotation. Aroldis Chapman was brought in to strengthen the bullpen. Michael A. Taylor is a sneaky good signing to man centerfield. They didn't really have any significant subtractions outside of what they traded away at the deadline last season.
Most Important Hitter
Oneil Cruz
This was my answer last season as well, but after missing most of 2023 with his freak injury, it is even more the case this season. Cruz is only entering his age 25 season and is probably still the most talented player on the roster. He needs to pick his development up right where it left off if the Pirates are going to take any steps forward this season. He got off to a pretty slow start in 2023 before the injury. He needs to be 100% healthy and continuing to show that he can be the superstar shortstop Pittsburgh is expecting.
Most Important Pitcher
Marco Gonzales
The starting lineup for the Pirates can be lethal, but the rotation is not as secure. Some veterans were brought in to help, and Marco might be the most important of the group. He has spent the last 7 seasons as the ace of the Mariners' staff so he knows what it takes to be an innings eater and a veteran leader. He was hurt most of last season, but even if his production is lackluster in 2024, his leadership and mentorship of the Pirates' young pitchers might be as important as anything else.
Prospect to Watch
Paul Skenes
The Pirates currently have the 9th best farm system in baseball with 5 players cracking the Top 100, all of which could debut in the next 18 months. The most exciting of these is Paul Skenes. The #1 overall pick in last year's draft, Skenes is a freak on the mound that could probably make the Opening Day start as the Pirates new ace and few would argue. Instead he is starting this season in the minors, but his debut will be one of the most anticipated of 2024 whenever is does happen.
2024 Prediction
3rd in NL Central
I love what the Pirates are building. It's only a matter of time before they are competing for the division title. It helps that their division is possibly the worst in the league, but they should take another step forward in 2024 and be relevant for most of the season in the postseason talk.
Fearless Prediction
2024 will be the last season the Pirates finish under .500 this decade.
The strong core of talent the Pirates have at the big league level already, combined with the talent about to arrive, as well as the stars Bryan Reynolds and Mitch Keller signed for the foreseeable future, and the Pirates are one of the best positioned franchises in baseball. They might not be ready to make a postseason run this season, but it will be the last season they are irrelevant for some time.
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