Are the Pirates Due for a PNC Park Makeover? Andrew McCutchen Thinks So
The Kansas City Royals made some quiet noise this offseason-not with a blockbuster signing, but with a tape measure. Kauffman Stadium is getting a makeover, with the outfield fences coming in for 2026. It’s a move aimed at giving their offense a little more breathing room, and it’s turning heads around the league-including in Pittsburgh.
Andrew McCutchen, a franchise icon and five-time All-Star, didn’t mince words when news of the Royals’ stadium tweaks hit social media. His response? A simple, pointed message on X:
“PNC Park take notes.”
That’s not just nostalgia talking. It’s a subtle nudge to the Pirates’ front office-and maybe a not-so-subtle call for change.
The Royals’ Playbook: Bringing the Walls In
Let’s start with Kansas City’s rationale. Their offense struggled in 2025, ranking 26th in home runs and 22nd in wRC+-a stat that adjusts for park effects and league averages. Even though Kauffman Stadium posted a 101 park factor last year (slightly favoring hitters), the Royals clearly felt their lineup needed help.
So they’re adjusting the environment. It’s a calculated risk: give the bats a better shot, even if it means the pitching staff might take a few more lumps.
Pittsburgh’s Power Outage
Now let’s talk about the Pirates. If the Royals’ offense was underwhelming, Pittsburgh’s was downright anemic. The Bucs finished dead last in home runs with just 117-42 fewer than Kansas City-and ranked second-to-last in wRC+ at 82.
And here’s the kicker: wRC+ already accounts for park dimensions. In other words, the Pirates can’t entirely blame the cavernous gaps and towering walls of PNC Park for their offensive woes.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the impact of the ballpark. PNC’s left-center alley stretches a daunting 410 feet, while the Clemente Wall in right field stands 21 feet tall.
Those are pitcher-friendly specs, no doubt. And while it’s a beautiful park-and one of the most picturesque in baseball-it’s also one of the toughest places to hit for power.
So McCutchen’s comment carries weight, especially for a player who’s logged thousands of innings patrolling that spacious outfield.
A Roster in Transition
To their credit, the Pirates haven’t stood pat this winter. They’ve added Brandon Lowe, Jhostynxon Garcia, and Ryan O’Hearn in an effort to inject some pop into the lineup. It’s a step in the right direction-but even with those additions, the dimensions of PNC Park remain a challenge for hitters.
And that raises a fair question: should the Pirates consider pulling a page from Kansas City’s playbook?
The Other Side of the Coin
Of course, there’s another side to this debate-and it’s wearing a glove and toeing the rubber.
The Pirates’ rebuild has been anchored by a wave of young, electric arms. Paul Skenes headlines the group, with Bubba Chandler and Jared Jones (when healthy) right behind him. These guys have the stuff to dominate, and right now, PNC Park plays to their strengths.
Move the fences in, and you might help the offense-but you also risk taking away a key advantage for your pitchers. That’s the balancing act.
So, What’s Next?
There’s no easy answer here. Adjusting the dimensions of a ballpark isn’t just about offense or defense-it’s about identity.
The Pirates have long leaned on pitching and defense as their foundation. But if the bats can’t hold up their end of the bargain, something’s got to give.
McCutchen’s message might not lead to immediate change, but it certainly shines a spotlight on a growing conversation. As Pittsburgh looks to take the next step, tweaking the ballpark could be one way to level the playing field-literally.
For now, the walls at PNC remain where they’ve always been. But if the Royals’ experiment pays off, don’t be surprised if more teams-maybe even the Pirates-start reaching for the tape measure.