Pittsburgh Pirates: Very Early 2022 Opening Day Lineup Preview

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 20: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during their game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 20, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 20: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during their game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 20, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 04: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks back to the dugout after executing a pitching change against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 04, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 04: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks back to the dugout after executing a pitching change against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 04, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

With the 2021 MLB season preparing to come to an end fans can begin to look ahead to what the 2022 season will hold for the Pittsburgh Pirates

While the Pittsburgh Pirates are on their way to their third consecutive losing season they are finishing the 2021 season strong. Opening Day 2022 will bring a whole new energy to the Steel City. While it is likely the Pirates will still be a bottom feeder team, the fruits of their labor will finally begin to make it to Pittsburgh.

Some of the prospects will begin to ascend to the big leagues and Pirate fans will have more reasons than just Ke’Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds to watch on a more consistent basis.

While it is still very early to tell how the Pittsburgh Pirates will look in 2022, it’s fun to look ahead and take a guess. You can pretty much bet the Pirates won’t be going out and signing any free agents of note to their roster for 2022. They’ll likely look in the bargain bin again which is completely fine. They won’t be all that competitive anyway.

For this exercise, I am going to assume the National League will adopt the designated hitter this offseason. All signs point towards this becoming the case which would open another avenue for more consistent playing time for certain players.