These Pittsburgh Pirates Could Hit 20+ Home Runs in 2016

Oct 2, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third base coach Rick Sofield (41) greets center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) after McCutchen hit a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third base coach Rick Sofield (41) greets center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) after McCutchen hit a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Jung ho Kang, INF

Sep 9, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

It looks like Jung ho Kang is on track for being back in the lineup for Opening Day after his late season ending injury last year. At least that’s the hope. Kang isn’t really a power hitter. He’s just a disciplined hitter and an all around good baseball player. In many ways, he’s the best signing the Pirates have made in a very long time. Kang is a very exciting part of Pirates baseball. Hopefully, with the new MLB rule change, the Chris Coghlan scissor kick slide that took him down late last season won’t happen to Kang or any other player again.

Prediction: 20 home runs, 70 RBIs, a .300 batting average and an All-Star appearance. 

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