This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf’s Pirates Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it repeatedly in your inbox.
ATLANTA — Bryan Reynolds made a visit down the road of followers on the sector Friday at Truist Park, signing the balls and playing cards that had been stretched out towards him. After scribbling his John Hancock a pair dozen instances, he made his means into the batter’s field to tear some line drives and crack a smile throughout batting follow.
Quick ahead about an hour later, and Reynolds jumped on the primary fastball he noticed for a single, the primary knock in a multi-hit efficiency. It could have been sport 160 of 162, however while you’re in a rhythm, you attempt to maintain it rolling till the season wraps.
“It’s been good for the reason that All-Star break,” Reynolds stated. “Obtained again to regular.”
Issues have been higher for Reynolds for the reason that All-Star break, as he is slashed .274/.364/.451 with 20 doubles and 6 residence runs over 61 video games. That .815 OPS is correct consistent with his profession mark (.805), and is the kind of manufacturing the Pirates had been hoping for all season.
The catch is Reynolds’ season stats are nonetheless nicely under his normal. Aside from the abbreviated 2020 marketing campaign, Reynolds has at all times completed with a season OPS of at the very least .790. He’s nonetheless carrying his early-season droop, and his .719 OPS is ready to be the worst for a full season in his profession. His 16 residence runs are tied together with his rookie yr for the fewest in a full season for him, as are his 233 complete bases.
He’s ending a troublesome yr on a greater be aware, however he’s going to complete with roughly league-average offensive outcomes whereas the Pirates had been relying on one thing nearer to his 2024 All-Star marketing campaign.
A few of it was out of his management. A shoulder damage restricted him to being only a designated hitter for a lot of April, however Reynolds dismissed that it impacted his first-half outcomes. Going by batted ball peripherals, he was unfortunate, lining into hard-hit outs. It’s why for those who have a look at his anticipated wOBA, he’s had a reasonably regular season (.348 xwOBA in 2025, .353 in his profession).
It was removed from a reasonably regular season, although.
“It was irritating as a result of I used to be really hitting the ball fairly nicely,” Reynolds stated. “However like I stated, I’m completely happy that it’s gotten higher because the yr’s gone on.”
There’s quite a bit to digest when making an attempt to interrupt down what went mistaken this season for the Pirates. They’re a membership anchored by the soon-to-be Cy Younger winner with maybe the very best assortment of younger pitching within the sport. That group simply didn’t get practically sufficient offensive help, rating final in baseball in runs, homers and OPS.
Reynolds continues to be processing the yr as an entire, however the plan is to discover a hitting facility this winter and do a dive into how he moved. After a yr the place he tweaked and tinkered greater than regular, he’s searching for solutions and the consistency he takes pleasure in.
As a result of whereas the onus of the crew’s offensive struggles is shared, lots of the burden was alleged to go on Reynolds’ shoulders.
“Clearly,” Reynolds answered when requested if it has been irritating not contributing extra amid a poor hitting season as a membership. “As an entire, all yr, offensively, we had been unhealthy. That’s not a recipe for successful.”
Reynolds is the proprietor of the franchise’s first nine-figure contract, and the gamers the Pirates prolonged to long-term offers over the previous few years didn’t have monster 2025s. Ke’Bryan Hayes was traded in July, whereas Mitch Keller wasn’t capable of attain his All-Star kind.
Any optimism in the direction of 2026 goes to hinge on each additions to the roster and enchancment from inside. Reynolds is within the latter camp.
“Actually while you point out Bryan’s case, we consider in these guys,” common supervisor Ben Cherington stated, referring to Reynolds and Keller. “We do consider there’s higher to come back. Clearly each have been extremely constant performers for the Pirates. Dependable. Perhaps this yr was a bit down for each guys, however they’re each wholesome. They’re each motivated. I feel there’s higher to come back in future years. We nonetheless see them as future elements of the crew. And we’re relying on them, for positive.”
