{"id":105905,"date":"2025-08-14T22:17:31","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T02:17:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=105905"},"modified":"2025-08-14T22:17:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T02:17:31","slug":"pirates-dont-write-off-bryan-reynolds-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/08\/14\/pirates-dont-write-off-bryan-reynolds-yet\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Write Off One Pirates Veteran Yet"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025 season hasn\u2019t been kind to Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Bryan Reynolds<\/a>, but don\u2019t write him off yet. He\u2019s had a disappointing season, delivering a stat line of .247\/.305\/.404, 13 HR, and 61 RBI entering Friday\u2019s action. That\u2019s not what the Pirates hoped for when they signed him to a team-record, eight-year, $106.75 million extension<\/a> in April 2023. That\u2019s the kind of money they pay to one whom they expect to be a franchise cornerstone. A closer look indicates that he\u2019s hit better than the numbers would suggest.<\/p>\n

\"The
Sep 3, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds (10) makes a catch on Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pirates Veteran Bryan Reynolds Isn\u2019t Finished Yet<\/h2>\n

A Star is Born<\/h3>\n

Reynolds came to the Pirates with little fanfare in January 2018. The entire development mostly angered Pirates fans, through no fault of Reynolds. That\u2019s because then-general manager Neal Huntington traded<\/a> the face of the franchise, Andrew McCutchen<\/a>, to the San Francisco Giants for Reynolds, pitcher Kyle Crick<\/a>, and a few international bonus pool farthings. Funny how those things turn out. McCutchen is now Reynolds\u2019 teammate, and it\u2019s Reynolds who\u2019s being paid face-of-the-franchise money.<\/p>\n

Reynolds didn\u2019t break camp with the Pirates in 2019, but it wasn\u2019t long before he made his Pirates debut. He was called up on April 20 when popular left fielder Corey Dickerson<\/a> went on the injured list. All Dickerson did the previous year was hit .300 and win a Gold Glove Award. By the trade deadline, Reynolds was hitting .324. Dickerson was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for more ever-precious international bonus pool money. Dickerson became the Pirates\u2019 Wally Pipp<\/a>, and Reynolds was in the majors to stay. He finished the year hitting .314\/.377\/.503, 16 HR, and 68 RBI, and finished in fourth place in voting for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.<\/p>\n

Reynolds took a big step backward in the 2020 COVID-shortened season. In 2021, however, he bounced back with his best major league season, hitting .302\/.390\/.522, 24 HR, and 90 RBI. He received a starting nod for the All-Star Game and was worth 6.0 WAR. His numbers dropped a bit in 2022, but he also hit a career-high 27 home runs. Owner Bob Nutting then made up his mind that Reynolds was his man. Extension negotiations became contentious, and it leaked that Reynolds demanded a trade<\/a>. When it became clear GM Ben Cherington couldn\u2019t bring this deal over the finish line, Nutting got personally involved. So here we are.<\/p>\n

A Closer Look at the Numbers<\/h3>\n

Reynolds was the subject of trade rumors<\/a> last month until it was revealed he had a contract clause that prohibited the Pirates from trading him to six specified big-market teams. He likes it in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

With a big contract comes increased scrutiny. Critics point to a steady decline in Reynolds\u2019 OPS from a career-best .912 in 2021 to today. His current slash line is his worst, save for the COVID season. Some hard thinkers have suggested that years of losing with the Pirates have worn Reynolds down, and he\u2019s mentally checked out. Nobody who saw his spectacular diving catch in San Francisco on August 1 or him legging out a triple against the Cincinnati Reds on August 8 would suggest that.<\/p>\n

A closer look at the numbers indicates there\u2019s a hitter there. August has been one of the best months of his career. In August, Reynolds is 18-for-49 with three homers, four doubles, the aforementioned triple, 10 RBI, and five walks. For those of you who don\u2019t feel like doing the math, that\u2019s a .367\/.426\/.673 slash.<\/p>\n

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Two-homer game for Bryan Reynolds \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/bTEISlgHnu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n