Five Pittsburgh Pirates Players That Need To Step Up In 2019

Which Pittsburgh Pirates’ players need to take a step forward in 2019 in order for the team to compete for a return to the postseason?

Entering the 2018 season expectations were low for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After trading away star players Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole, many pundits and fans alike were predicting a long season on the North Shore for the Pittsburgh Baseball Club.

To the surprise of many, however, the Pirates put together a strong season in 2018. The team was as many as nine games over .500 in May, and competed for a postseason berth into the final week of September. When the dust settled, the team had 82 victories and their fourth winning season in six years.

With the 2019 season quickly approaching, the team will be looking to build upon a strong 2018 while looking to take the next step. In order for the team to take the next step and return to the postseason for the first time since 2015, there are areas where they must improve.

Who are five players that must improve for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 in order for them to return to the postseason?