The all-time Spring Training Pittsburgh Pirates team

The best line-up based on performance by Pittsburgh Pirates' players in Spring Training.
Atlanta Braves v Pittsburgh Pirates
Atlanta Braves v Pittsburgh Pirates / Julio Aguilar/GettyImages
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March 27, 2011; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Lyle Overbay (37) during their
March 27, 2011; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Lyle Overbay (37) during their / Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

First base
Lyle Overbay

The Pirates signed veteran first baseman Lyle Overbay in the 2010-2011 off-season in what ended up being another horse on a carousel of first basemen the Pirates have had since Kevin Young. Overbay had some quality seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks. In his three prior seasons to 2011, he batted .259/.352/.437 with a 110 wRC+. But with the Pirates, Overbay was just a .227/.300/.349 slasher 83 wRC+.

But during that Spring, Overbay hit .368/.422/.649 with a .453 wOBA and 175 wRC+ in 65 plate appearances. He owned a solid 9.2 percent walk rate and 18.5 percent strikeout rate. However, he hit for an immense amount of power. Overbay had four home runs and a .281 isolated slugging percentage.

Overbay was one of the best Spring Training hitters in 2011. He ranked in the top 30 in wRC+, wOBA, slugging percentage, and OPS. No other Pirates’ 1B has put up a higher wOA, wRC+, or OPS either. Some have come close but have all fallen short of Overbay’s 2011 performance.

Honorable mention: Gaby Sanchez