It’s the beginning of a new season and hopefully a new era for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After years of rebuilding and stocking the minor league system with talent, some of those names should start to make their way onto the Major League team as the season progresses.
The Pirates have announced their Opening Day lineup against the Red in Cincinnati this afternoon.
1. Oneil Cruz, SS
2. Bryan Reynolds, LF
3. Andrew McCutchen, DH
4. Carlos Santana, 1B
5. Canaan Smith-Njigba, RF
6. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
7. Jack Suwinski, CF
8. Ji Hwan Bae, 2B
9. Austin Hedges, C
Mitch Keller, P
Take a look at that lineup and compare it to last year’s Opening Day against the Cardinals, a 9-0 loss
1. Daniel Vogelbach, DH
2. Bryan Reynolds, CF
3. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
4. Yoshi Tsutsugo, 1B
5. Kevin Newman, SS
6. Cole Tucker, RF
7. Ben Gamel, LF
8. Michael Perez, C
9. Hoy Park, 2B
JT Brubaker, P
Only three of the players on that 2022 lineup are still on the team today, Reynolds and Hayes. Brubaker is on the roster but could need season-ending surgery.
Vogelbach is now DH with the New York Mets, Tsutsugo was designated for assignment by the Pirates and is now in the Texas Rangers minor league system, Newman was traded to the Reds, Tucker was DFA’ed by the Pirates and is currently in the Colorado Rockies minor league system, Gamel is in the Rays minor league system, Perez was traded to the Mets and is in their minor league system and Park is in the Atlanta Braves minor league system.
That’s five players who started for the Pirates on Opening Day last year who are now in other team’s minor league systems.
Games haven’t been played yet, but the 2023 lineup is looking better than last year.