Pittsburgh Pirates: Top 5 Performers of the Season's First Half

Which five players have been the top performers for the Pittsburgh Pirates thus far in 2023?

Even though the All-Star Break is always viewed as the unofficial halfway point of a MLB season, teams have always played more than half their games by then. Currently owning a 38-42 record, the Pittsburgh Pirates have played 80 games thus far.

At 80 games played, the Pirates are one game away from their official halfway point of 81 games. So, with the first half of the 2023 season essentially in the rear view mirror, who have been the five best performers thus far this season?

No. 1 - Mitch Keller

From Iowa cornfields to the Steel City, Mitch Keller has followed up on a quality 2022 season with a dominant 2023. Adding a sinker to his arsenal of pitches to go with his wide-ranging sweeper has worked wonders for the Pirate ace.

Keller currently owns a 3.34 ERA with 9 wins and 3 losses. What's most impressive though, are his strikeouts. Keller has 118 strikeouts in 105.0 innings pitched in 2023. His 118 strikeouts rank second in the National League only behind Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves.

Keller also leads the MLB in strikeouts looking. The Pirates may be a lackluster team, but the emergence of Keller has been paramount to the team's fair record this season.

No. 2 - Andrew McCutchen

Andrew McCutchen has turned back the clock in 2023. The fan favorite in Pittsburgh ranks 8th in Major League Baseball in on-base percentage (.396), 4th in walk rate (.163), and has added 9 home runs for the Bucs as well.

The now 36-year-old has also hit several serious milestones this season while being the team's primary designated hitter.

On June 11th, McCutchen became the 290th player in MLB history to record 2000 hits with a hard single to left field at PNC Park. Cutch didn't stop there. On June 24th, he collected his 400th career double. Later this season, he's also set to play his 2000th career game. The 2013 NL MVP has been a strong veteran presence for the younger Buccos and will look to continue to add to a stellar 2023 season in the second half.

No. 4 - Ke'Bryan Hayes

A scorching hot June at the plate has propelled Ke'Bryan Hayes' batting average by nearly 0.50 points (now .254). A gold glove caliber third baseman throughout his young career, Hayes has improved his offensive production in 2023.

His 73 hits that lead the Pirates clubhouse show that his batting average has the potential to get even higher. Hayes ranks 4th in the MLB in outs above average. If he could get his bat to cooperate a bit more he would be a shoo-in for NL All-Star third baseman.

No. 5 - Henry Davis

Henry Davis has only played 10 games in the majors this season. He still deserves to make this list.

The no. 1 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft has been one of the most consistent bats in the lineup since he debuted on June 20th, slashing .351/.415/.486 thus far. Players (especially young players) typically find it challenging to make the jump from the minor leagues to the show, but Davis is built differently.

Davis has shown his versatility with his speed/stolen bases, command of the strikeout, hits to the opposite field, and explosive power. Oh, by the way, he went 3 for 4 to finish off the sweep of the San Diego Padres with two RBIs, including the game-winning RBI single in the 7th inning. David is also currently on a 7-game hitting streak. The 23-year-old catcher/right fielder has burst onto the scene for the Bucs, and he's only just getting started.

Honorable Mentions: Dauri Moreta, Carlos Santana, Bryan Reynolds

These four Bucs barely didn't make the list.

Dauri Moreta had been stellar this season until the month of June where it all started to unravel for him. Moreta still holds a respectable 3.71 ERA in 34 games pitched this year.

Carlos Santana has been on fire his last 7 games, going 10 for 27 with 3 home runs and 7 RBI's. He now leads the team in RBI's with 41.

After an incredible April which earned him player of the week honors, Bryan Reynolds has come back down to earth. Still, the Pirates outfielder has a respectable .823 OPS.