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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Mar 6, 2017; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Austin Meadows (77) hits a 2-RBI
Mar 6, 2017; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Austin Meadows (77) hits a 2-RBI / Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Center Field
Austin Meadows

Austin Meadows was a first-round pick by the Pirates in 2013, who debuted in 2018, but was subsequently traded the same season for Chris Archer in an ill-fated deal. Meadows is a career .259/.333/.472 slasher with a 119 wRC+. Meadows’ last three seasons have been marred by inconsistent performance, injuries, and a bout with mental health issues. He is currently a free agent.

But Meadows once looked like the Pirates’ center fielder of the future, both in the minor leagues and Spring Training. Meadows has 83 plate appearances with the Pirates in the Preseason, batting .315/.398/.578. His numbers are similar to Pie’s, with a nearly identical .412 wOBA and 152 wRC+. But Meadows didn’t have a great strikeout rate of 25.3 percent and a worse 10.8 percent walk rate.

Meadows currently has a higher wRC+ in Spring Training than Andrew McCutchen (135), Corey Dickerson, Starling Marte (133), and Nate McLouth (129). He also has the 26th-best ISO among any Pirates player in Spring Training. Dating back to 2006, he is a top 15 batter in the Preseason for the Pirates (min. 50 PAs).

Honorable mentions: Travis Swaggerty, Jeff Salazar, Andrew McCutchen