Top 5 Pittsburgh Pirates of the 2016 Season

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
3 of 7
Sean Rodriguez
Sep 17, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Sean Rodriguez rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

4.  Sean Rodriguez

When the Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed Sean Rod last winter I was skeptical of it because he wasn’t a good player in 2015. Although he played his usual solid defense, he didn’t hit for the power he did in 2014 with Tampa Bay and he got far too many at bats against right-handed pitching.

But the Sean Rod we saw in 2016 looked like a different player offensively.  He posted a career high walk rate (9.6 percent). He also posted a career high .510 slugging perentage, as well as a career high ISO of .240. Also, as usual, he continued playing good defense at just about every position on the field besides pitcher and catcher.

Due to his improved plate discipline and power numbers I would have liked to see the Bucs bring Sean Rod back in 2017. But the Atlanta Braves gave him a well deserved 2-year 11.5 million dollar deal where he’ll get a chance to earn more playing time than he would have with the Pirates.

Schedule