The Pittsburgh Pirates finished 20 games below .500 last season, ending the year at 71–91 and last in the NL Central. What makes that record even more frustrating is that the pitching wasn’t the problem. As a staff, the Pirates ranked 7th in the National League in ERA (4.33), 5th in WHIP (1.32), 3rd in opponent batting average (.218), and 5th in strikeouts. That’s a competitive pitching staff by any standard, and one that should have produced better results in the standings.
The issue was everything else, specifically the offense. To understand just how bad things were, look no further than the season Paul Skenes put together. In 32 starts, he posted a 1.97 ERA over 187.2 innings with a 0.95 WHIP and 216 strikeouts, yet finished with just a 10–10 record. That doesn’t happen unless run support is consistently missing. With even average offensive production, Skenes likely finishes with 16–18 wins, which completely changes how last season is viewed.
The bullpen struggled to hold leads. The lack of offense left this team with no margin for error on most nights. The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t need perfection from their lineup—they just needed competence. Instead, they ranked among the worst in baseball in nearly every major offensive category. This poor performance ultimately defined their season more than anything else.
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How Bad Was the Offense?
There’s no way to soften it—the Pittsburgh Pirates’ offense was one of the worst in the league. They finished dead last in the National League in runs scored with 583 (3.59 per game), while also ranking last in home runs with 117 and last in batting average at .231. On top of that, they struck out 1,422 times. This was the second-highest total in the league. They also ranked near the bottom in extra-base production.
This wasn’t just a team going through a slump or dealing with injuries. This lineup lacked power, consistency, and the ability to sustain rallies. Night after night, the pitching staff had to operate with almost no margin for error. This approach is not a sustainable formula for winning over a full season.
Off-Season Additions
Brandon Lowe
The Pittsburgh Pirates needed to address their lack of power. They acquired Brandon Lowe in a three-team deal. This deal involved the Tampa Bay Rays and Astros. Lowe immediately becomes one of the most dangerous bats in this lineup. He hit 31 home runs with 83 RBI last season. He also had a .256/.307/.477 slash line. Over the last three years, he has hit 73 home runs. He brings a level of power the Pirates simply didn’t have.
To put that into perspective, Oneil Cruz led the team with just 20 home runs last season. Lowe’s production alone would have reshaped this lineup. It gave opposing pitchers a legitimate threat to focus on. It prevented them from navigating through a relatively soft order.
Ryan O’Hearn
The addition of Ryan O’Hearn gives the Pirates something else they lacked—consistent contact and on-base ability. This spring, he’s hitting .370 with two home runs, eight RBI, and a 1.167 OPS, showing early signs of being a steady presence near the top or middle of the order. Last season, between the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres, he hit .281/.366/.437 with 17 home runs and 63 RBI.
He’s not the type of player who will carry an offense on his own. However, that’s not what the Pittsburgh Pirates need. They need players who can extend innings and get on base. They should also create opportunities. This was missing far too often last season.
Marcell Ozuna
Marcell Ozuna steps in as the primary designated hitter after spending the last six seasons with the Atlanta Braves. Even in what was considered a down year, he still produced 21 home runs. He had 68 RBI, adding another legitimate power bat to the middle of the order.
For a team that finished last in home runs, adding players who can hit 20 or more home runs boosts their offensive capabilities significantly. It changes the lineup’s dynamic. Ozuna doesn’t need to be at his peak to make an impact—he just needs to be consistent enough to force pitchers to respect the middle of the order.
Jhostynxon Garcia
One of the more intriguing additions is Jhostynxon Garcia, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox. The 23-year-old outfielder has been one of the most productive hitters this spring, collecting 15 hits in 34 at-bats with two home runs, five RBI, and three stolen bases.
While he has limited major league experience, his minor league production shows real upside. Between Double-A and Triple-A last season, Garcia hit 21 home runs with 75 RBI and a .267/.340/.470 slash line. If he carries that momentum forward, he could quickly become a meaningful contributor at the big-league level
Projected Lineup
CF – Oneil Cruz
RF – Ryan O’Hearn
LF – Bryan Reynolds
DH – Marcell Ozuna
2B – Brandon Lowe
SS – Nick Gonzales
1B – Spencer Horwitz
3B – Jared Triolo
C – Joey Bart
Konnor Griffin has impressed this spring, but the most likely path is starting the season in Triple-A with Indianapolis. That gives him a chance to adjust to higher-level pitching in a structured environment before making the jump to the majors. If he performs well early, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later. His potential impact adds another layer of upside to a lineup that already looks improved on paper.
Summary
The Pirates didn’t make headline-grabbing moves this offseason, but they addressed their biggest weakness in a meaningful way. This lineup has more depth. It has more power and more balance than last year’s version. This improvement should immediately take pressure off the pitching staff. If the offense can even reach league-average production, this team becomes far more competitive. I think they have a real chance to surprise people early in the season and push above .500 by midyear, especially with Jared Jones expected to return later in the season. If that happens, and Griffin, a young bat, contributes, then the trade deadline conversation around this team could change significantly.
