Reasons to be optimistic about the 2025 Pirates

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – What are the reasons to be optimistic about the Pirates with the season starting Thursday afternoon in Miami?

There are reasons to be pessimistic, chief among them that they didn't add enough in free agency. There are other potential concerns especially with questions in their bullpen, at first base and with a few players bouncing back.

All of that understood, here are five reasons the Pirates will be better than last year.

Paul Skenes for a full year
·     The feeling is around the league, let along the Pirates organization, is that winning National League Rookie of the Year is just the start of the award potential for Paul Skenes. He's the favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award and he has yet to turn 23-years-old entering his first full season. Unicorn is the word used to describe him and he is the one Pirates player that any team would have as their ace. For the Pirates to take a next step, not only would Skenes need to win more than nine games, but elevate an entire rotation, an entire team, with his starts.

New hitting coach
·     He was in the Pirates organization and played briefly the Bucs in the majors. New hitting coach Matt Hague has been in these players' shoes recently and had success and failure, and seems more patient than the last hitting coach Andy Haines. Early returns are he's also connected with this group, especially the younger guys. If he can help Jack Suwinski find his 2023 game. Ke'Bryan Hayes find his last couple of months in 2023 and Henry Davis find some consistency against MLB pitching, they could indeed improve from within. Hague also previously worked with one of the most renowned hitting coaches of a generation, Don Mattingly.

Oneil Cruz potential
·     There is one potential superstar bat on the roster and it's Oneil Cruz. Bryan Reynolds is consistent and drives in runs, Cruz is unique. No one in the game hits the ball harder, more often that the 6'7" centerfielder. The 21 home runs, 22 stolen bases and .773 OPS could be a floor for the 26-year-old. If not for a rough last month of the season, those numbers would be higher. What can the new hitting coach, and a second full season coming back from injury unlock with the left-handed hitter? He's also set at his new position in centerfield and if the comfort level is there, he should be able to just go out and let his talent take over. Cruz is that impact player and is the one single person in the lineup who can make everyone better.

McCutchen resurgence
·     Last year at age 37, McCutchen hit 20 home runs for only the second time since 2018. The average was down as was the on-base percentage, but the all-time Pirates great still made an impact reaching at least 100 hits for the 15th season. McCutchen has said all offseason he wants to be better and there is still a desire to improve. He doesn't need to be 2012 Andrew McCutchen, but a consistent designated hitter with slightly better numbers would be welcome into a lineup with some question marks.

New leadership
·     Andrew McCutchen discussed it even as the 2024 season was ending, it was on him to be a more vocal leader. It's not a job he necessarily enjoys, he prefers to lead by example. McCutchen knows with his time in the league, with 2,152 hits and 319 home runs that teammates will listen.

He is not the only one who will immediately grab the attention of his teammates. Paul Skenes has also discussed being more vocal. He felt like he couldn't do it last year as a rookie, but now, he's comfortable. He's a natural leader, he showed those skills at the Air Force Academy. He also is the most focused player in the Pirates locker room or probably any locker room in any sport.

It's these examples being set by a pair of generational talents, plus a hard-edge guy like Tommy Pham who isn't afraid to call out anyone for not playing the right way that will propel better things from a similar roster.

All are optimistic in March, there are some reasons for Pirates fans to be excited about 2025.