There's little doubt that new faces like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn will be vital to the offensive success of the Pirates in 2026. But, with some added protection in the lineup, it's just as important for guys like BryanReynolds and OneilCruz to bounce back from disappointing 2025 seasons.
Reynolds' .245/.318/.402 slash line, .720 OPS, 16 home runs and 68 runs scored either set or matched career lows, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He also struck out a career-high 173 times, good for a 26.5% strikeout rate that ranked in the 14th percentile. Cruz struck out 174 times -- 32% rate -- and compiled an even worse slash line of .200/.298/.378 to go with his .676 OPS.
There's another level for these two important players to get to. They've done it before, and the Pirates will need them to do it again. As for at least one of their teammates, there's confidence that both will respond appropriately this season.
"I think everyone around the Pirates, we believe that Oneil and Bryan are going to get back to the form that we're used to seeing and that last year was a bit of an anomaly for both of them," SpencerHorwitz said during his appearance on Sportsnet Pittsburgh's Unobstructed Views earlier this week. "It's hard going through a new manager and getting a new hitting coach. They went through a lot, too. A lot of new firsts, a change, and I think there's going to be a comfortability there now."
THE ASYLUM
There's little doubt that new faces like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn will be vital to the offensive success of the Pirates in 2026. But, with some added protection in the lineup, it's just as important for guys like Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz to bounce back from disappointing 2025 seasons.
Reynolds' .245/.318/.402 slash line, .720 OPS, 16 home runs and 68 runs scored either set or matched career lows, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He also struck out a career-high 173 times, good for a 26.5% strikeout rate that ranked in the 14th percentile. Cruz struck out 174 times -- 32% rate -- and compiled an even worse slash line of .200/.298/.378 to go with his .676 OPS.
There's another level for these two important players to get to. They've done it before, and the Pirates will need them to do it again. As for at least one of their teammates, there's confidence that both will respond appropriately this season.
"I think everyone around the Pirates, we believe that Oneil and Bryan are going to get back to the form that we're used to seeing and that last year was a bit of an anomaly for both of them," Spencer Horwitz said during his appearance on Sportsnet Pittsburgh's Unobstructed Views earlier this week. "It's hard going through a new manager and getting a new hitting coach. They went through a lot, too. A lot of new firsts, a change, and I think there's going to be a comfortability there now."
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