Since starting the 2023 MLB season 20-8, the Pittsburgh Pirates have plummeted to the bottom of the standings, but have recently started to make a late-season resurgence.
As of September 5, the Pirates have a record of 46-67 since their 20-8 start, a fall from grace that no other team has suffered in the 2023 season. However, even through the tough times, there have still been some recent positives that the team has seen.
Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes is finally starting to look like the player the Pirates imagined he would be since signing him to an eight-year, $70 million contract.
Since the start of August, Hayes has a .307 average with seven home runs and an exceptional 21 RBIs while also playing the elite defense he has been playing his entire career.
On another good note, the Pirates have won six of their last eight games since Aug. 28 and appear to be ending the season on a high note.
Much of their earlier lack of success was caused by injuries to key players since the start of May, such as Hayes, starting pitcher Vince Velasquez, and outfielder Bryan Reynolds. Long-term injuries to rising star shortstop O’Neil Cruz and standout starting pitcher JT Brubaker have had lingering effects on the team that has heavily impacted the team’s overall record and daily lineups.
In addition to these injuries, DH Andrew McCutchen’s season was effectively ended on Tuesday when it was announced that he would be in a walking boot for at least six weeks.
Not being able to score with runners in scoring position has also been a major issue for the Bucs since April, as the team was unable to plate even 100 runs in either May or July.
Lack of production from players and trades have additionally played a role in the team’s fallout.
All-Star pitcher Mitch Keller, who boasted a 9-3 record with a 3.34 ERA and 118 strikeouts before the All-Star break, has since posted a 2-4 record with a 5.30 ERA and only 58 strikeouts – a major decline.
Starting pitcher Rich Hill, who was traded to the San Diego Padres in July, was serviceable with the Pirates with a 7-10 record and 4.76 ERA with 104 strikeouts. First baseman Carlos Santana, who was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, came up in big moments for the Bucs and had an impressive 25 doubles.
Even with all of the negatives this season, fans should have hope for the next upcoming seasons due to the young talent within the organization and rising stars on the current roster.
2023 No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes can become the ace of the future, Cruz will be back, Brubaker will return, and rookie outfielder Henry Davis will hopefully continue to develop into what a No. 1 overall pick should look like. Other young players such as infielder Liover Peguero and catcher Endy Rodriguez will hopefully continue to develop into key contributors on the team come 2024 and future seasons to come.
