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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Starling Marte, LF

Oct 2, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (center) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two run game winning walk-off home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the twelfth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-4 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (center) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two run game winning walk-off home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the twelfth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-4 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Marte loves to swing the bat. He strikes out a lot. He hates to walk. Watching him there is little doubt when the chips are down, he’s swinging. Not surprisingly in 2015, he led National League hitters with the highest swing and chase rates. If he had a little more plate discipline he’d probably be one of the very best outfielders in baseball. Either way, this should be a season that sees some Marte improvement. In each of his major league seasons so far he has improved the number of hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs obtained while gently reducing the rate at which he strikes out. It seems a very safe bet that 2016 will see further improvement.

Prediction: 20 home runs, less strikeouts and more walks.

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