The Pittsburgh Pirates are gearing up for an exciting new season, wrapping up their Grapefruit League games and heading to New York to face the Mets at Citi Field. With the regular season just days away, there's a fresh sense of optimism in Pittsburgh. After finishing last in the National League Central with a 71-91 record last year, the Pirates are hoping to make a push for the postseason, something they haven't done since their 2015 Wild Card game appearance.
General Manager Ben Cherington and Manager Don Kelly have finalized the 26-man roster, and it's time to dive into what each position group brings to the table.
Catchers: Joey Bart, Henry Davis
Bart and Davis will be the duo behind the plate, with Davis likely catching Paul Skenes on Opening Day. While spring training wasn't kind to either, with Bart striking out 17 times and Davis hitting just .161, there's potential here.
Davis has shown flashes of Gold Glove-caliber defense, and Bart boasts a career 108 OPS+ in Pittsburgh. Improvement at the plate for Davis and behind it for Bart will be key.
Grade: C
Infielders: Nick Gonzales, Spencer Horwitz, Brandon Lowe, Jared Triolo, Nick Yorke
The right side of the infield looks solid. Horwitz, the Pirates’ standout hitter last season, returns strong, and Lowe adds power at second base after hitting 31 homers with the Rays.
However, the left side raises questions. Triolo is reliable defensively but inconsistent offensively, and Gonzales needs to rebound from a tough 2025.
Yorke offers versatility, while Ryan O’Hearn will also see time at first.
Grade: C+ (without Griffin)
Outfield: Oneil Cruz, Billy Cook, Jake Mangum, Ryan O’Hearn, Bryan Reynolds
O’Hearn, fresh off an All-Star season, brings a revitalized bat. Cruz and Reynolds aim for bounce-back seasons, which would greatly boost the lineup.
While offensive potential is high, defensive capabilities are in question. Enter Cook and Mangum-Cook secures a bench spot, and Mangum, known for his contact skills and speed, offers depth.
Grade: B
Designated Hitter: Marcell Ozuna
With Andrew McCutchen now with the Rangers, Ozuna steps in as the primary DH. Coming off a season with 21 homers and 68 RBIs for the Braves, Ozuna is poised to add some pop to the lineup.
Grade: B
Starting Pitchers: Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, Mitch Keller, Carmen Mlodzinski, Paul Skenes
Skenes leads the rotation, eyeing back-to-back Cy Young awards. Keller, the veteran, looks to maintain consistency throughout the season.
Ashcraft and Chandler bring promising upside after debuting last year. Mlodzinski rounds out the rotation, eager to secure his spot after a mixed first impression.
Grade: A-
Relief Pitchers: Hunter Barco, Justin Lawrence, Isaac Mattson, Mason Montgomery, Yohan Ramírez, Dennis Santana, Gregory Soto, José Urquidy
Santana steps up as the primary closer, with Soto ready to share duties. Mattson aims to build on his breakout year, while Lawrence's health holds the key to his potential.
Barco and Montgomery offer intriguing left-handed options, with Barco also capable of starting. Urquidy provides additional depth as a bulk option.
The Pirates are setting their sights high this season. With a mix of seasoned players and emerging talent, they're ready to make some noise in the league. Fans, get ready-this could be an exciting ride.