The Pittsburgh Pirates might not be topping anyone’s World Series predictions, but there’s a palpable buzz surrounding the team that’s hard to ignore. With talents like Paul Skenes and Konnor Griffin catching the eye, the Pirates are injecting a fresh dose of excitement into Major League Baseball. These rising stars are the primary sparks igniting hope among the fanbase.
A recent fan survey by Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic reveals a dramatic shift in sentiment. Compared to last year, optimism among Pirates fans has surged by 60%, reflecting growing confidence in the team’s direction.
Currently, 78.8% of Pirates fans express optimism for the 2026 season, placing them 13th in MLB’s rankings. This is ahead of perennial powerhouses like the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees, signaling a significant change in perception.
Looking back, the journey to this point has been notable. In 2025, only 18.7% of fans felt hopeful about the team’s prospects.
The figures were slightly better in 2024 at 40.1%, and 31.9% in 2023. However, back in 2022, optimism was at a mere 4.1%, reflecting the struggles the franchise faced.
The Pirates have often seemed adrift in recent years, but the emergence of young talents like Skenes, Griffin, and Bubba Chandler is changing that narrative. Coupled with strategic offseason acquisitions such as Ryan O'Hearn and Brandon Lowe, the team is poised for a new chapter.
While they may not be the front-runners in the NL Central, the Pirates’ young core and increased investment are promising signs for the future. Even with a rocky start for Skenes and challenges faced by Oneil Cruz, there’s ample reason for fans to feel optimistic about 2026. This Pirates team might just be the most exciting they’ve fielded in quite some time.