7 Pirates whose 2026 performances raised more questions than they answered

The Pittsburgh Pirates accomplished something in 2026 that had eluded them for nearly a decade: finishing a season with a winning record.

Their 82-80 finish represented meaningful progress for an organization that had spent years promising better days were coming. Several young players emerged as legitimate building blocks, the offense made considerable strides, and Pittsburgh finally demonstrated that its rebuilding efforts might be producing tangible results.

But for every player who solidified his place in the Pirates' long-term plans, another entered the offseason surrounded by uncertainty. Some delivered impressive numbers that concealed significant weaknesses. Others struggled to translate their talent into consistent production, while injuries and positional questions complicated the team's plans for 2027.

Here are seven Pirates whose 2026 performances left the organization with more questions than answers.

7 Pirates whose 2026 seasons were harder to evaluate than they appeared

Oneil Cruz: How much better can he actually get?

On the surface, Oneil Cruz's 2026 season was an overwhelming success. The 27-year-old slashed .280/.368/.486 with 20 home runs, 67 RBI and 30 stolen bases. His .854 OPS reflected significant offensive improvement, and he continued demonstrating the extraordinary combination of power and speed that makes him one of baseball's most physically gifted players.

There's just one problem: He appeared in only 97 games.

A hand injury sidelined Cruz for more than two months, interrupting what was shaping up to be the best season of his career. And despite his impressive production, the swing-and-miss concerns haven't disappeared. Cruz struck out 139 times in 419 plate appearances, a strikeout rate exceeding 33%.

That creates an interesting dilemma for Pittsburgh. Cruz has demonstrated that he can produce like an impact hitter even with substantial contact issues. But how much more productive could he become with a more consistent approach?

The Pirates know Cruz has superstar potential. What they still don't know is whether he can sustain that production across a full season.

Henry Davis: Is elite defense enough to justify his offensive shortcomings?

The Pirates selected Henry Davis with the first overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft because they believed he could become an impact offensive catcher. Five years later, his biggest contributions are still coming behind the plate.

Davis finished 2026 hitting an abysmal .172/.272/.313 with 10 home runs in 97 games. Those numbers represent another disappointing offensive season for a player who was supposed to become a middle-of-the-order threat.

Defensively, however, Davis has developed into an excellent major league catcher. His improvement in controlling the running game and handling Pittsburgh's pitching staff has given him legitimate value even when his bat isn't producing. But that doesn't necessarily make him the Pirates' catcher of the future.

Rafael Flores Jr. emerged as a promising offensive alternative, while Endy Rodríguez demonstrated considerable upside before undergoing season-ending hip surgery. Pittsburgh suddenly has multiple candidates for playing time behind the plate, each offering a different combination of strengths and weaknesses.

Davis has established that his defense belongs in the majors. Whether he deserves to be an everyday starter is an entirely different question.

Nick Gonzales: Where does Pittsburgh put its .300 hitter?

Few Pirates hitters exceeded expectations more dramatically than Nick Gonzales in 2026. His .303 batting average ranked among the best in baseball, and his .367 OBP made him one of Pittsburgh's most reliable offensive contributors.

Unfortunately, his defense created an equally significant problem.

After shifting to third base to accommodate Brandon Lowe, Gonzales finished with minus-15 defensive runs saved and minus-11 outs above average at the position. Those were among the worst defensive marks for any qualifying third baseman in baseball.

The Pirates now face an uncomfortable situation: One of their most productive hitters doesn't have an obvious defensive home.

If Lowe departs in free agency, Gonzales could return to second base. But if Pittsburgh successfully retains Lowe, it will need to determine whether Gonzales can improve at third, move into a different role or become a potential trade candidate.

His offensive breakout was supposed to simplify the Pirates' future plans. Instead, it complicated them.

Esmerlyn Valdez: Was his breakout sustainable or a hot streak?

Few Pirates prospects generated more excitement in 2026 than Esmerlyn Valdez. The rookie outfielder hit .232/.345/.510 with 17 home runs in just 72 games, offering Pittsburgh a much-needed source of right-handed power.

But those impressive numbers concealed a troubling inconsistency. Valdez was outstanding in July, earning National League Rookie of the Month honors after hitting eight home runs. Outside that month, however, he batted just .121 with a 40% strikeout rate. That's an enormous discrepancy for a player Pittsburgh hopes will become a fixture in its lineup.

Valdez's season also ended prematurely because of a hamstring injury, further limiting the Pirates' opportunity to evaluate his development.

Valdez's power is legitimate. His ability to make consistent contact remains considerably less certain. The Pirates desperately need more right-handed production, but they cannot afford to build their offensive expectations around another talented slugger whose approach produces prolonged stretches of offensive futility.

Mitch Keller: Can the Pirates still count on their veteran starter?

Mitch Keller entered 2026 as Pittsburgh's most established starting pitcher. He finished it with a 5.29 ERA, a season-ending injury and significant questions about his future.

The veteran right-hander made just 22 starts before suffering a teres major muscle injury in his throwing shoulder. Even before the injury, his performance had fallen well below expectations.

Perhaps most concerning was Keller's admission after the season that he never completely felt like himself. That raises questions about how much his physical condition contributed to his struggles and whether a healthy Keller can return to being a dependable middle-of-the-rotation starter.

Pittsburgh owes Keller $18.4 million in 2027 and $20.4 million in 2028. For an organization operating with limited payroll flexibility, that's a substantial investment in a pitcher whose effectiveness and durability are suddenly uncertain.

The Pirates need to determine whether Keller can rebound or whether his contract is becoming an increasingly expensive obstacle to improving the roster.

Carmen Mlodzinski: Is he a starter, reliever or something in between?

Carmen Mlodzinski might be the clearest example of a player whose versatility has become both an asset and a complication.

The right-hander appeared in 37 games, including 12 starts, finishing with a 3.95 ERA across 123 innings. Those numbers aren't disastrous, but they don't establish him as an obvious solution to any particular problem.

Mlodzinski has demonstrated that he can handle multiple innings, make spot starts and provide valuable bullpen depth. However, his results have been inconsistent when Pittsburgh has asked him to assume a traditional starting role.

Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft provide Pittsburgh with an intriguing young foundation. Keller's health creates another variable in an increasingly crowded starting rotation picture. So where does that leave Mlodzinski?

The Pirates could maximize his versatility by keeping him in a hybrid role, but there's also an argument that constantly shifting responsibilities makes it harder for him to develop into a consistently effective pitcher. With Mlodzinski entering arbitration eligibility, Pittsburgh must decide what role actually maximizes his value.

Jared Triolo: How valuable is elite defense without offensive production?

Jared Triolo's 2026 season presented one of Pittsburgh's strangest contradictions.

He earned National League Gold Glove finalist recognition as a utility player, reinforcing his reputation as one of the organization's most dependable defenders, while his offensive production continued moving in the opposite direction. Triolo hit just .238/.307/.302 with three home runs and a .609 OPS across 125 games.

Triolo's defensive versatility undoubtedly has value, particularly for a team that struggled with infield defense throughout the season. But can Pittsburgh justify giving significant playing time to a hitter producing so little offensively?

The question becomes even more complicated when considering Gonzales' struggles at third base and Lowe's uncertain future. Triolo could provide the defensive stability Pittsburgh needs, but relying on him as an everyday player would create another potential weakness in a lineup that already lacks consistency.

Triolo's projected $1.8 million arbitration salary makes him relatively affordable. Nevertheless, the Pirates must decide whether he's a legitimate starting option or better suited for a utility role.

The Pirates aren't entering 2027 without answers. Skenes has established himself as an ace, Griffin looks like a foundational piece, and several young pitchers have demonstrated considerable upside. But the organization's margin for error remains unquestionably thin.

Cruz and Valdez need to prove their production is sustainable. Davis, Gonzales and Triolo need clearly defined roles. Keller needs to rediscover his effectiveness, while Mlodzinski needs a consistent path forward.

The Pirates spent years waiting for their young talent to arrive. Now comes the considerably more difficult challenge: determining which players can actually help them win.

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