Reynolds’ Steady Bat Steers Pirates Offense

Bryan Reynolds is a professional hitter.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the road this week; Southern California to be exact. After last Sunday's game with the Cleveland Guardians at PNC Park, the Pirates flew west for a six-game road trip, beginning on Tuesday evening against the Los Angeles Angels.  On Friday, the Pirates visit Dodger Stadium for three games with the 2024 World Series champions – Los Angeles Dodgers.

It’s a safe bet that Reynolds’ reliable bat in manager Derek Shelton’s lineup will be a contributing factor to any success experienced by the Pirates.  Currently, his .244 batting average is right in line with his seven-season career average of .276. 

The last four seasons heading into training camp this past February, Reynolds has averaged 20-plus home runs.  If he’s not hitting round-trippers, either by walks or smacking doubles, Reynolds can be counted on to be on base more times than not and in scoring position. 

Be it in right field or penciled in as the designated hitter, Reynolds isn’t the kind of teammate who complains if not positioned on the field where his first preference is.  He leads quietly. When asked during this past spring training where he hopes to find his name positioned, Reynolds answered with little emotion.

“Right field – that's fine with me.  I don’t have strong feelings either way, where I can help the team.  There were some conversations about me shifting from left to right field. Oneil (center fielder Oneil Cruz, who was converted late last season from shortstop to the outfield) has the skills and the arm to figure it out in center field, and he’ll do fine.”

With the addition by Pittsburgh of well-traveled outfielder Tommy Pham firmly planted as the starting left fielder, Reynolds’ shift to right field was a foregone conclusion.  Rarely missing a game (Reynolds, heading into the California road swing, was in Shelton’s lineup for 22 of the first 23 games of the 2025 season), when the Pirates catch a winning streak, clearly, Reynolds will be involved in producing runs.

Getting the Pirates out of the National League cellar, improving on their 8-15 record when entering Angel Stadium, is going to take a total team effort by the Buccos.  Successfully executing the “little things” on the field is crucial for the outcome the Pittsburgh faithful are waiting for.

Reynolds, the second-highest-paid player this season on Pittsburgh’s 26-man roster ($12,250,000), continues to hustle down the base paths and get his work in each day to perform well.  The eight-year contract extension signed by Reynolds in April 2023, the richest deal in team history, takes him through the 2030 season. 

As a switch-hitter, Reynolds’ opportunities in Shelton’s plans are nearly every game. Throw in that he has played all three outfield positions, and Reynolds has also carved out a case as being one of the most valuable players on the Pirates this season.

Along with Paul Skenes, an all-star last season for a second time in his career representing the Pirates, Reynolds takes his leadership role seriously.  He is humble. The way he carries himself during batting practice and in games speaks volumes.

As the regular season progresses, and mid-season road trips take the Pirates to Kansas City, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Milwaukee, the Pirates will need Reynolds to be at his peak, to have a legitimate opportunity at earning a Wild Card postseason position or even contend for the division title.

The Pirates are loaded with promising arms on the MILB level, as well as in the pipeline with Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft currently at Triple-A Indianapolis, and Anthony Solometo at Double-A Altoona. But, without a lively offense to complement pitching, the final win-loss record at the end of September could be numbing.

When the Pirates return from the road and the Chicago Cubs come to Pittsburgh on April 29 for a three-game visit, a 3-3 record would be a huge morale booster for the club.  So much of the Pirates' future success rests on Reynolds’ shoulders.

Whether it’s a three-two count while up at bat, or chasing a line drive in the outfield, Pirates’ fans are spoiled in knowing Reynolds is always offering his best efforts. This is the type of leader who can take his team to the next level. Postseason play for the Pirates this season? Don’t rule it out – as long as Reynolds remains healthy, and in the lineup nearly every night.