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The Pirates\u2019 turnaround offensively this season has been well-documented.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh was at or near the bottom in most major categories a season ago, including a league-worst 583 runs scored (3.6 per game) and 117 home runs \u2014 31 fewer than the next closest team (Cardinals, 148).<\/p>\n
This year, the Pirates are tied with the National for the most runs in baseball at the All-Star break with 516, only 67 fewer than last year\u2019s total. They\u2019ve already eclipsed last year\u2019s home run total with 125 (sixth in MLB) with 65 games to go. <\/p>\n
While they expected the offense to be better, general manager Ben Cherington admitted the offense has been even better than anticipated. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust in terms of the run scoring, we\u2019ve scored more runs than we anticipated scoring. We probably exceeded (expectations),\u201d he said. \u201cSome of that has happened in ways that we thought maybe would happen. Some of it\u2019s different, too. It\u2019s been a combination of things. But it\u2019s been good. The outcomes have been good.\u201d<\/p>\n
How has it happened?<\/p>\n
Little Spending Goes a Long Way<\/p>\n
The Pirates made a real effort to add to the payroll this offseason. They swung a trade for Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, a deal that also included outfielder Jake Mangum. They gave out their first multi-year free agent contract in nearly a decade to first baseman\/right fielder Ryan O\u2019Hearn. They signed designated hitter Marcell Ozuna for $12 million.<\/p>\n
While the Ozuna signing is regrettable, two out of three sure isn\u2019t bad.<\/p>\n
Lowe has added some serious thump to the top of the lineup. The recently-turned 32-year-old has 21 home runs and 64 RBIs this year, and he leads all MLB second basemen in both categories.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Hearn, meanwhile, carries a healthy .288\/.351\/.487 batting line with 16 home runs and 63 RBIs. He\u2019s also the owner of one of the best games in MLB history, a three-homer, 10-RBI performance against the Braves during the last homestand before the break. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t see a team go from bottom of the barrel to a top three offense in one year,\u201d said O\u2019Hearn. \u201cBut also being with these guys every day, starting in spring training and just seeing the talent and will to get better and learn, and then just go out there and let it fly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bounce-Back Seasons<\/p>\n
In addition to the external additions, the Pirates have received strong bounce-back efforts from a couple key players.<\/p>\n
Like Lowe, Bryan Reynolds<\/a> should\u2019ve been an All-Star. After having the worst season of his career (excluding 2020) a year ago, Reynolds is batting .283\/.400\/.477 batting line with 22 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, 59 RBIs while playing in an MLB-high 97 games. Reynolds ranks second in MLB with 69 runs scored, is fourth in the NL in on-base percentage and eighth with an .877 OPS.<\/p>\n Prior to getting hurt in June, Oneil Cruz looked to be starting to realize his full potential. The Pirates center fielder totaled 64 games prior to landing on the shelf and slashed .264\/.350\/.472 with 14 home runs, 44 RBIs and 21 steals, which led the league at the time.<\/p>\n Third baseman Nick Gonzales has also taken a step forward this season. He currently ranks fifth in MLB with a .308 batting average. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just getting a lot of contributions from different players,\u201d said Cherington. \u201cPretty consistently throughout the season, we\u2019ve had contributions up and down the lineup. I think that\u2019s been the biggest difference from last year.\u201d<\/p>\n Impact Rookies<\/p>\n The Pirates will be without shortstop Konnor Griffin until sometime in September, but the 20-year-old had found his groove offensively after a slow start to his career. Over his last 40 games since turning 20 on April 24, Griffin slashed .314\/.368\/.472 with eight doubles, a triple five home runs, 17 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.<\/p>\n The emergence of outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez has been one of the biggest reasons the Pirates have been able to weather the losses of several key injuries. The 22-year-old is batting .309\/.371\/.713 with 17 extra-base hits (10 home runs) and 27 RBIs\u2026 in only 28 games. <\/p>\n The Pirates haven\u2019t had a right-handed slugger in quite some time. So far, Valdez looks the part, and his importance to the turnaround has been huge. <\/p>\n Matt Hague Deserves His Flowers<\/p>\n A lot of people saw last year\u2019s struggles and pointed the finger at hitting coach Matt Hague. His job title is one that comes with criticism when things aren\u2019t going well, but doesn\u2019t always get praised when things are clicking. <\/p>\n Last year, the Pirates just didn\u2019t have enough good players. This year, while there\u2019s no doubt they have a much better and deeper lineup, Hague deserves at least some of the credit for things going as well as they are. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> <\/p>\n