The Pittsburgh Pirates were shut out from their postseason chances on Saturday, September 23. Pittsburgh will likely conclude their season at fourth in the National League Central division, as the team struggled to rally past the Reds.
Pittsburgh’s postseason elimination was far from a surprise, but they started the season with a glimmer of hope. Entering May, the Pirates led the National League with a 20-9 start. The team began to derail, going 8-18 in May and will end the year below .500 for the eighth year in a row.
Going into the offseason, there are crucial decisions that the organization must explore to stay afloat in 2024. Simply put, the Pirates are underdeveloped and have little depth on their roster.
Every great team has its star players. The Pirates have a few, but their primary veteran’s spot on the team is unknown.
36-year-old designated hitter Andrew McCutchen suffered a season-ending partial achilles tear in September, and his return is unknown. His contract expires this year, but general manager Ben Cherington has hinted at an extension several times. Cherington told reporters that he believes McCutchen is essential to the team.
While McCutchen is a Pittsburgh hero, an extension may hurt the team. Retirement is awaiting, and a long-term injury shortens McCutchen’s time in the majors. He ended the season with a .256 batting average and 12 home runs. He delivered good numbers this year, but who knows what’s to come following his recovery. McCutchen’s potential extension may be a risk that’s not worth taking.
Right-handed pitcher (RHP) Mitch Keller had a slow start to his career but maintained an All-Star season this year. On his journey to 200 strikeouts in 200 innings, Keller has earned his place as Pittsburgh’s ace.
Keller signed a one-year contract that expires this year, and it would be a huge mistake for the team to let him go. He could serve as a great role model for the many young pitchers on the roster.
The Pirates have the fourth lowest batting average in the MLB at a .238 average. Aside from Ke’Bryan Hayes, Bryan Reynolds, and McCutchen, the Pirates lack hitters that can perform consistently each game.
Before the 2024 season, the organization should invest in a solid hitter and fielder with MLB experience.
The team has a surplus of young potential, but few to take on a regular spot on the lineup. According to ESPN, the Pirates have the youngest roster in baseball with an average age of 26.1 years old.
Rookie Ji Hwan Bae put up solid numbers with a .241 batting average and started a majority of games this year. With the right leadership, Bae will develop into a key player on the team.
Only nine games into the season, 24-year-old Oneil Cruz faced a season ending ankle break. The 6’ 7” shortstop had eight hits in 32 at-bats and finished the 2022 season with a .233 average. Cruz signed a $720k one-year contract that expires this year. While he has great potential, is it worth it for Pittsburgh to keep Cruz around for any longer? The team has a lot of potential, but only a few players are delivering the numbers.
To add on to their young talent in the majors, the organization has even more prospects, specifically pitchers, in development.
The Pirates selected RHP Paul Skenes as first overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft. Since then, Skenes spent time with the FCL Pirates, Single-A Bradenton Marauders, and is currently with Double-A Altoona Curve. In his 2.2 innings pitched with Altoona, Skenes recorded four hits, four runs, two walks, and five strikeouts. He is the No. 3 prospect in the MLB, according to MLB Pipeline.
Reliever Cameron Junker spent the whole season with the Altoona Curve, pitching 55.1 innings throughout 45 games. He maintains a 3.25 ERA with 25 runs and 43 strikeouts. At 26 years old, Junker may be called up to the rotation in 2024.
22-year-old starter Jared Jones started the year in Altoona but moved up to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in mid-June. In his 25 starts this year, he struck out 139 batters and recorded a 3.90 ERA. Jones is MLB Pipeline’s No. 69 prospect.
