Spring Training has been underway for about a week and a half, and the Pirates have impressed. Tied with the Yankees for the best record in spring so far, young Bucs and veterans alike have dominated the competition and are providing real hope that this might finally be the season the team makes a push. We all know how good Konnor Griffin has been—but what else has this team shown?
1. The Bullpen Might Be Better Than We Thought
After trading away two of their best relievers at last year’s deadline in David Bednar and Caleb Ferguson, the Bucs’ bullpen looked promising but perhaps too inexperienced. So far this spring, they appear to be delivering on that promise sooner than expected.
Offseason signing Gregory Soto looks like a true high-leverage weapon. He has put away hitter after hitter with ease while sitting in the high 90s with his fastball. It wasn’t long ago that Soto was an All-Star closer, and he now joins fellow Dominican National Team member Dennis Santana at the back end of the bullpen.
The middle innings are shaping up to be must-watch baseball as well. Young righty Brandan Bidois is making a serious push for an Opening Day roster spot behind an electric fastball. Wilber Dotel could see meaningful middle-inning opportunities at the big-league level this year, and Antwone Kelly looks ready to use his WBC experience as a springboard toward a 2026 debut.
Instead of being a weak link, this Pirates bullpen might quietly become one of the club’s biggest strengths.
2. The Outfield Is Stacked
Some see this as a roster crunch. In reality, it’s a luxury. The Bucs are in position to run out an above-average player at every outfield spot every day in 2026.
We already know what Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz bring, but in past seasons they were often flanked by AAA-level fill-ins or veteran stopgaps. This year, they’re surrounded by impact talent.
Ryan O’Hearn, a major free-agent addition, has mashed in Spring Training action. Jake Mangum has been a sparkplug who makes it hard to imagine keeping him out of the lineup, impacting the game at the plate, in the field, and on the basepaths. And Jhostynxon “The Password” Garcia has arguably been the Pirates’ hottest hitter this spring, batting a blistering .538.
It may be difficult to fit everyone into the starting lineup at once, but that’s the kind of problem good teams have—and every one of these players brings real value.
3. This Team Is Going to Run
In previous years, we’ve seen Pirates teams talk about aggressiveness on the bases only for it to fade. That doesn’t appear to be the case this time.
Oneil Cruz and Jake Mangum were already near the league leaders in stolen bases last year, and the speed doesn’t stop there. Konnor Griffin is an elite athlete. Garcia has shown instincts and awareness, already swiping three bags this spring. If Endy Rodriguez makes the Opening Day roster, he’ll be one of the fastest catchers in the league.
All told, the Pirates have started the spring a perfect 15-for-15 in stolen-base attempts. Don Kelly’s win-at-all-costs mentality seems to be resonating, and the club’s commitment to pressure, pace, and athleticism is showing up every time they take the field.
It’s still early. It’s still spring. But the energy, depth, and identity this team is building feel different—and for once, the optimism looks earned.
