03-24-2024 MLB Preview - Flipbook - Page 39
MLB ’24 NL CENTRAL PREVIEW PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Sunday, March 24, 2024 39
2023: 76-86, fourth place | Manager: Derek Shelton (fifth season) | Opening Day: March 28 at Miami
OVERVIEW
TOP HITTERS
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (.271, 15 HRs, 61 RBIs,
.762 OPS), OF Bryan Reynolds (.263, 24, 84,
.790 OPS), OF Jack Suwinski (.224, 26, 74,
.793 OPS), DH Andrew McCutchen (.256,
12, 43, .776 OPS), C/OF Henry Davis (.213,
7, 24), 1B/DH Rowdy Tellez (.215, 13, 47 with
Milwaukee), SS Oneil Cruz (.250, 1, 4 in 9
games).
PROJECTED ROTATION
RH Mitch Keller (13-9, 4.21 ERA), LH Martín
Pérez (10-4, 4.45 with Texas), LH Marco
Gonzales (4-1, 5.22 with Seattle), RH Luis
Ortiz (5-5, 4.78), RH Quinn Priester (3-3,
7.74).
KEY RELIEVERS
RH David Bednar (3-3, 2.00 ERA, 39/42
saves), LH Aroldis Chapman (6-5, 3.09, 6
saves with Royals and Rangers), RH Colin
Holderman (0-3, 3.86), LH Ryan Borucki
(4-0, 2.45).
ONE TO WATCH
SS Oneil Cruz (.250, 1,
4 in 9 games)
OUTLOOK
The Pirates are optimistic the top-tobottom overhaul general manager Ben
Cherington began after taking over
in fall 2019 is starting to pick up steam.
Pittsburgh escaped the NL
Central basement for the first time
since 2018 last year, with Keller
becoming an All-Star and Hayes
winning his first Gold Glove while
showing an uptick in power at
the plate.
— Associated Press
CHARLIE
NEIBERGALL/
AP
HE’S HERE
LHP Martín Pérez, LHP Marco Gonzales, LHP Aroldis Chapman (left), C Yasmani Grandal, 1B/DH Rowdy Tellez.
HE’S OUTTA HERE
3B/OF Miguel Andujar, RHP Andre Jackson, RHP Wil Crowe.
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