The Pirates enter the 2026 MLB season with their highest expectations in years, headlined by arguably the best pitcher in the league.

The Pirates have constructed a roster around franchise cornerstone Paul Skenes that blends an elite young rotation with a significantly overhauled offense. General manager Ben Cherington was uncharacteristically aggressive during the offseason, addressing the team’s scoring issues by bringing in Marcell Ozuna, Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn.

Everyone in the MLB world knows that the Pirates have a true ace in Skenes at the top of the rotation. But can the pieces around him propel Pittsburgh back to the postseason?

Pirates Opening Day roster 2026PitchersRolePlayerThrowStarter Paul SkenesRStarterMitch KellerRStarterBraxton AshcraftRStarterBubba ChandlerRStarterCarmen MlodzinskiRBullpenDennis SantanaRBullpen Gregory SotoLBullpenJustin LawrenceRBullpenIsaac MattsonRBullpenYohan RamirezRBullpenMason MontgomeryLBullpen Jose UrquidyRBullpen Hunter BarcoLBattersPositionPlayerBatsCHenry DavisR1BSpencer HorwitzL2BBrandon LoweL3BNick GonzalesRSSJared TrioloRLFBryan ReynoldsSCFOneil CruzLRFRyan O’HearnLDHMarcell OzunaRCJoey BartRINF/OFNick YorkeROFBilly CookROFJake MangumSPirates batting order

Pittsburgh’s lineup is anchored by Oneil Cruz, who has stunned fans with his “Cruz Missiles.” However, the 27-year-old needs to be more consistent at the plate after slashing .200/.298/.378 last season.

The most notable additions are Marcell Ozuna, who will be the primary designated hitter, and Brandon Lowe, who was acquired from the Rays to provide a left-handed power threat at second base. They are joined by Ryan O’Hearn, who hit .281/.366/.437 with the Orioles and Padres last year.

 PlayerPositionBats1Oneil CruzCFL2Spencer Horwitz1BL3Bryan ReynoldsLFS4Marcell OzunaDHR5Ryan O’HearnRFL6Brandon Lowe2BL7Jared TrioloSSR8Nick Gonzales3BR9Henry DavisCRPirates pitching rotation

Pittsburgh will open the season with a rotation that features all righties. Mitch Keller, Carmen Mlodzinski and Bubba Chandler all made appearances in 2025 and are looking to take the next step this season.

All eyes will be on Paul Skenes as he attempts to win back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards.

PitcherThrowPaul SkenesRMitch KellerRCarmen MlodzinskiRBraxton AshcraftRBubba ChandlerRPirates bullpenPlayerThrowDennis SantanaRGregory SotoLJustin LawrenceRIsaac MattsonRYohan RamirezRMason MontgomeryLHunter BarcoLJose UrquidyR

In 2025, Pittsburgh traded one of the MLB’s marquee closers in David Bednar to the Yankees. Entering this season, the bullpen aims to be a group with strong depth rather than relying on a single star.

The unit is currently led by Dennis Santana and Gregory Soto, though manager Don Kelly has indicated the team may use a matchup-based approach in the ninth inning rather than a traditional fixed closer.

Key bench players and top prospectsPlayerRoleBatsJoey BartCRNick YorkeUTILRBilly CookUTILRJake MangumOFS

The bench features a mix of veteran stability and defensive versatility, with Joey Bart and Henry Davis sharing catching duties. Nick Yorke, Billy Cook and Jake Mangum provide multi-positional coverage and speed for late-inning situations.

RankPlayerPosition1Konnor GriffinSS/OF2Seth HernandezRHP3Edward FlorentinoOF/1B4Esmerlyn ValdezOF5Termarr Johnson2B6Thomas HarringtonRHP7Jhostynxon GarciaOF8Antwone KellyRHP9Wilber DotelRHP10Wyatt SanfordSS

The most discussed roster move of the spring was the decision to assign Konnor Griffin to Triple-A Indianapolis. Despite being the consensus No. 1 prospect in all of baseball and flashing incredible talent during spring training, the 19-year-old was left off the Opening Day roster.

Griffin is a rare five-tool shortstop with 70-grade power and speed. He hit four home runs in just 41 at-bats this spring, though his .171 average suggested he could benefit from more consistent Triple-A pitching. With only 21 games of experience at the Double-A level, the Pirates opted for the safe route.

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