3 potential x-factors that could play roles for the Pirates in 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates have some very notable players in their core going into 2025. Paul Skenes will look to continue his historic dominance from his rookie year. Bryan Reynolds has been a steady presence in the Pirates’ lineup for years now. Oneil Cruz will also look to take a step forward with the bat while showing some of the strong defensive chops he flashed in center field in 2024. There are plenty of other names, too, like Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, and David Bednar, in terms of core players the Bucs will be relying on in 2025.

However, some less predictable parts of their roster will have to play significant roles in order for the team to content for a playoff berth in 2025. They could also make just as much of an impact as some of the Bucs’ more notable players. These X-factors could be players to watch during 2025.

3 Pirates x-factors to watch entering 2025 MLB season

Dauri Moreta

The Pirates acquired Dauri Moreta during the 2022-2023 offseason. It was a low-key trade, as Moreta, at the time, was coming off a season where he had a 5.40 ERA and 5.80 FIP for the Cincinnati Reds. Meanwhile, the Pirates only sent infielder Kevin Newman in return. Despite being an under-the-radar add, Moreta would go on to have a breakout season with the Bucs in 2023.

Across 58 innings, the young right-hander rode his backwards slider to a 3.72 ERA, but an even stronger 2.93 FIP and 1.09 WHIP. Moreta had an outstanding 31.8% strikeout rate, making him one of only 30 relievers in baseball with a K% above 30% in 50+ IP. Moreta was not prone to allowing many home runs, with an 0.67 HR/9 rate. Although his 8.1% barrel rate was only about average, he was in the 89th percentile of exit velocity induced at 86.7 MPH. Moreta graded out well in the eyes of Stuff+ at 106.

Moreta was in the 90th percentile or better of multiple noteworthy stats, including xBA, xERA, whiff percentage, and strikeout rate. Along with great surface numbers, Moreta garnered a lot of popularity among the fans for his personality on the mound. With that promising of a 2023 season, some projected him to take another large step forward in 2024. Unfortunately, that would not come to pass. Moreta would undergo Tommy John surgery in March 2024, eliminating him from the campaign entirely.

Although Moreta will not be healthy enough to open the year in the Pirates’ bullpen, he should still play a role in their' pen sometime this season. Big Bank is throwing off the mound again and is progressing well after surgery, according to general manager Ben Cherington. He could return to the Pirates’ roster sometime during May or June and be a huge midseason bullpen reinforcement.