Rum Bunter Staff 2020 Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions: Marty Leap

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PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 18: Guillermo Heredia #5 of the Pittsburgh Pirates stands at attention for the National Anthem before the exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians at PNC Park on July 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Best position group in 2020 – the outfield

Well, unfortunately, this one was a tough call. Any time determining a team’s best position group for a season, that is never a good thing. In the end, we’ll go with the outfield here.

In left field, the Pittsburgh Pirates have Reynolds who is one of the best hitters in baseball. Center field will be manned by Jarrod Dyson. While Dyson is a below average hitter, he is one of the best defensive center fielders in all of baseball. While right field will be Guillermo Heredia to start the season, Gregory Polanco should be in right field before long.

Even with Heredia in right field, the Pirates are in great hands defensively. Other than Dyson, Heredia is the best defensive outfielder on the team and one of the best in the National League. He’s also flashed a good bat in exhibition play, including a home run.

When Polanco returns, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be gaining a 25-30 home run hitter when healthy. Polanco looked as healthy as ever in spring training and summer camp and was crushing the ball accordingly. When healthy in 2016 and 2018, Polanco posted a 106 and 123 wRC+. Once he is cleared to return from the coronavirus, he looks primed to put together this type of season.

The bats of Reynolds and Polanco, combined with the gloves of Dyson and Heredia will make the Pirate outfield a strong group.

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