As Spring Training is underway to kick off the 2026 MLB Season, the aggressive off-season moves by the Pittsburgh Pirates are hitting the field, giving Pirates fans hopes of a strong season ahead and gearing them up for a possible playoff push.
Last year, the Pittsburgh Pirates finished their season 71-91. The 2025 Pirates season was full of ups, including big wins over big teams like a 7-0 shutout win over the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Paul Skenes phenomenal pitching, and a mid-summer hot streak. But with the ups, the downs were more apparent, with the disappointing 12-35 road record, the trade of David Bednar and Ke’Bryan Hayes, and the top 3 highest attended home games all included chants for Owner Bob Nutting to “sell the team”. One of the most important moves last season was firing Manager Derek Shelton, who finished his term as the Bucco’s skipper with a 306-440 record. When Shelton was ousted, the Pirates were 12-26.
The Pirates named Bench Coach Don Kelly to the Manager position and finished 2025 with a 59-65 record.
What 2026 has in store:
Pressure from the fans most likely caused GM Ben Cherrington and Owner Bob Nutting to be willing to spend the money to improve the offense of their team. It’s apparent that the Pirates have their starting pitching rotation figured out. With the MLB’s top current pitcher Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, a soon to be recovered Jared Jones, and the promotions of minor leaguers Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft who will be in the starting rotation, the Pirates shouldn’t have to worry.
Notable New Members of the 2026 Pirates
Brandon Lowe, 2B – Free Agent signed out of Tampa Bay
2025 Stats in Tampa Bay: .256 AVG; 31 HR, 83 RBI; 130 Hits; OBP .307
Ryan O’Hearn, 1B – Free Agent signed out of San Diego
2025 Stats in Baltimore/San Diego: .281 AVG; 17 HR; 63 RBI; 133 Hits; OBP .366
Marcell Ozuna, DH – Free Agent signed out of Atlanta
2025 Stats in Atlanta: .232 AVG; 21 HR; 68 RBI; 113 Hits; OBP .355
In the Farm System
As we are just mere miles away from the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Double-A Affiliate, the Altoona Curve, we are fortunate to see the young talent on display before they move on to Triple-A Indianapolis before advancing to the Show.
Last season, the Altoona Curve had a stellar season, especially with the performance that MLB’s No.1 Prospect Konnor Griffin had when with the team.
In 21 games in Altoona, Griffin smashed five home runs, brought in 22 runs, and had a .337 AVG. In Spring Training, Griffin picked up right where he left off, hitting four home runs, but alongside a dismal .171 AVG in the Pirates’ stellar start in pre-season.
Although Spring Training isn’t necessarily meaningful baseball, it gives fans and team managers the opportunity to prospect what players from all farm teams are bringing to the table. The Pirates finished training on Monday against the Atlanta Braves in Florida with a 5-2 loss, but a finished with a 17-13 record- third best in total Grapefruit League Wins.
Griffin, along with notable new addition Jhostynxon Garcia, will start their 2026 Season in AAA Indianapolis to develop more before their expected call-ups this summer.
These aggressive moves along with the talent awaiting in AAA, this is the closest Pittsburgh fans can get to believe that a post-season run is forthcoming. Watch this year’s run kickoff when the Pirates take on the Mets at Citi Field this Thursday, March 26, at 1:10pm on NBC/Peacock!
