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The Pittsburgh Pirates have done very little to address the areas of need on their roster this offseason, not the least of which is adding some speed and power to their batting order. However, if MLB.com's projections are to be believed, the Pirates could be getting some more speed and power from within in 2025.
As the calendar flipped to a new year, the site made one prediction for each team in 2025. For the Pirates, the prediction was that center fielder Oneil Cruz would have at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. It's a lofty goal, to be sure, considering he just finished his first full MLB season in 2024 after injuries limited him to just 98 games from 2021-23; but there's reason to believe it can be done.
"Oneil Cruz had aspirations of a 30-homer, 30-steal campaign before the 2023 season, if not a 40-40 season," MLB.com wrote. "A fractured ankle in April cut that dream short. He bounced back nicely in 2024, finishing with 21 home runs and 22 steals, but it tells only part of the story. Cruz consistently improved as he healed and got his timing back and turned a corner against left-handed pitching. If he continues to grow – or even just do what he did in the second half of last season over a full campaign – he could join Barry Bonds as the only Pirates to have a 30-30 season."
Pirates' Oneil Cruz could join Barry Bonds as only players in franchise history to record a 30-30 season
The only true power hitter in the Pirates' lineup, Cruz slashed .259/.324/.449 with 21 home runs, 76 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 2024. His production last season picked up considerably after the All-Star break, when he hit .277/.357/.464 with 7 home runs, 32 RBI and 15 stolen bases.
Cruz had a solid campaign in 2024, and the Pirates will need him to build upon it if they have any hope of making a playoff run in 2025. The fact remains, however, that even with Cruz's powerful bat in their lineup, they finished 25th in the league in total home runs (160) last season. A 30-30 season for Cruz would be a great start; but if the Pirates really want to see a significant improvement in their offensive production next season, they shouldn't be done adding this offseason.
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