The 2024 MLB season is right around the corner and my favorite team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, are projected to be bad again. Every year the Pirates say they are “rebuilding” in the offseason, come out strong, and then divebomb back into the last place in the division. And they do this every single year.
Disclaimer: I like the Pirates and I am always biased.
The Pirates are coming into the 2024 season stacked after drafting LSU pitcher Paul Skenes number one overall. They also have returning stars such as Ke’Bryan Hayes, Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, and veteran Andrew McCutchen. Pittsburgh also has one of the strongest bullpens in the league with David Bednar, Ryan Borucki, Martin Perez, and the new addition of Aroldis Chapman with Mitch Keller holding down the starting rotation.
The offense is looking pretty solid as well with Bryan Reynolds coming off a very strong season with 151 hits, .263 batting average, and 24 home runs. Young buck Jack Suwinski also put up impressive stats with 100 hits, 74 RBIs, and 26 homers. Andrew McCutchen led the team in OBP with .378.
The Pirates start out the season with a four-game series in Miami on March 28. They open at PNC Park on April 5, 2024 against the Orioles in a three-game set.
Still, I do think they have a very young team with a lot of holes in the starting pitching rotation, and questions surrounding their front office. Their owner is finally spending money in the offseason which is a miracle and a half. And I do believe they can get over the obstacle of being under .500 and finish with a record of 84-78.