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Pittsburgh Pirates: Optimism for More Lineup Power in 2024
The Pittsburgh Pirates need more power to be produced from their lineup for the 2024 Major League Baseball season. While this is an obvious statement, as the team pretty much needs more power every year, it is something that should improve in 2024. If it does not, then this team will once again most likely be on the outside looking in by the end of the year.
Last year the team ranked 28th overall in homeruns. They hit 159 total homers throughout the seasoon. The only two teams that were behind them were the Cleveland Guardians and the Washington Nationals. The team was bottom 10 in slugging percentage and ISO (FanGraphs measurement of raw power). So it is interesting as they do rank closer to #20 than they do #30 in these two stats.
This might be one of the positives to take away from the 2023 season, as the team is showing a little more power in different ways than home runs. With so many young players, could some of those extra-base hits start to turn into home runs? Maybe, but nonetheless, it is still not super inspiring overall.
However dangerous it may be, there should be optimism regarding the team's power potential going into 2024. The most obvious will be having Oneil Cruz back in the lineup. Cruz has some of the best raw power in Baseball, he should enter the 30+ home run mark if he is on the field for the full season. While this may seem overly optimistic Cruz needs to hit the ground running to get back on track.
The other internal player that should add more pop in 2024 is Henry Davis. The former first-overall pick displayed flashes of power last year, going deep against Shohei Ohtani twice. The issues started to come into play not long after that. His power started to disappear as did his offense in general. As it turns out Davis was battling a hand injury for the downside of the season. Maybe it comes down to that he was just not able to grip that bat like he normally would, or the injury could have been causing compensation during his swing which in turn was limiting his power. Davis should be looking at the 20-home run mark as a point to get to this year.
As of now the Pittsburgh Pirates have not brought in a whole lot of power in terms of outside acquisitions other than one player.
The last power hitter is actually a true addition. Rowdy Tellez signed with the Bucs on a 1-year deal worth just over $3 million. Tellez only hit 13 home runs in 2024, which by all accounts would be a significant improvement for power at first for the Bucs. Still, the expectation should be higher. The lefty slugger mashed 35 home runs in 2022 with the Brewers. Obviously, it would be great to get 30 out of Tellez, however, he will likely be in a bit of a platoon at first base with a few right-handed options such as Connor Joe and Jared Triolo. If he can at least hit 20 as well then he will have served his purpose and the team will get the upside out of him that they are hoping for.