The Pirates Untouchables: Who On The Current Team Stays
It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Pirates are going through a rebuild of the organization. Over the next year or so, the team will be trading away some of their star players to help replenish a farm system that has been depleted over the last several seasons. Because of this, fans are going to have to say goodbye to some of their favorites, and it started with the trading of first baseman Josh Bell. While almost everyone on the current roster could, and sometimes should, be dealt there are a few players who would be considered untouchable or very hard to move. The Pirate's next window to contend is expected to be around the 2023-2025 seasons and the young guys that will still be under team control at that time are assets the Pirates may want to hold onto.
The first wave of that line of talent came in 2019 with the emergence of starting pitcher Mitch Keller. Since then, right Pirates made their Major League debut in 2020, showing fans a glimpse of what they can expect moving forward. In the early 2010s, it was Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, and Gerrit Cole ushering in a new era of Pirates baseball. The names have changed, but the goal is still the same as Mitch Keller, Ke'Bryan Hayes, and Bryan Reynolds replace the last generation of newcomers. Today, we look at these untouchable players and see how they factor into the Pirate's success long term.
Ke'Bryan Hayes
We have written a lot about Ke'Bryan Hayes here at Buccos Cove since his debut because he is an exciting player. We heard all about his defense in the Minor Leagues but his offense was a bit of a question mark. However, he answered all of those concerns in a short period of time hitting .376 with five home runs and 11 RBI. He showed poise at the plate and an ability to hit the ball to all fields. He has always had an ability to hit for a high average, but the power that he showed was new. He never hit more than 10 home runs in the Minor Leagues but was on track for 31 home runs over a full season. Hayes came through in the clutch with runners in scoring position, hitting .364 with five RBI with runners in scoring position.
Add his defensive ability with his newfound offensive talent and he is shaping up to be a five-tool player. He is projected to be the Pirates starting third baseman in 2021 and will get the chance to show exactly what he can do over 162-games, barring any craziness. Hayes was drafted in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft and was expected to be the team's third baseman of the future. He has had success at every level of the Minor Leagues and is the only definite untouchable on this list. Time will tell if his power comes around, but look for him to be hitting in either the number two spot or the number six spot in the batting order during the 2021 season.
Mitch Keller
On the pitching staff, there are several trade pieces the Pirates could use. However, one of the untouchables on the staff should be starting pitcher Mitch Keller. Keller made his MLB debut in 2019, and things didn't go so well as he went just 1-5 with a 7.13 ERA over 11 starts. However, he was ready to put all that behind him in 2020, and show he could be the ace he was projected to be. He had a good year, going 1-1 with a 2.91 ERA, but was only able to make five starts due to injury. Had missed a month and a half of the season, but when he came back he looked like the top pitcher the Pirates were promised.
During September, Keller made three starts with two of those starts coming as Quality starts. His best outing came on September 19th against the St. Louis Cardinals when he threw six innings of shutout ball allowing just two walks and striking out six batters. Kelley had a 2.57 ERA over those three starts and looked much more confident in his second season on the mound. Keller has a plus fastball that can reach the mid-90s and builds off of it with a plus slider and a curveball. However, he added a change-up that has made his other breaking balls more effective. If Keller can ride the momentum from his final two starts into 2021, he could turn into that ace pitcher the Pirates need him to be.
Bryan Reynolds
After his breakout rookie season, Bryan Reynolds burst onto the scene as a Pirates outfielder of the future. Reynolds was one of the key pieces in the Andrew McCutchen trade and hit .314 with 16 home runs and 68 RBI. However, 2020 was forgettable for Reynolds to say the least as that average dropped to .189 with seven home runs and 19 RBI. Reynolds has hit at least .300 at every level of the Minor Leagues and should be able to bounce back in 2021. Defensively, Reynolds showed he has good arm strength, leading the team with five outfield assists. He had a .980 fielding percentage between centerfield and right field and will be playing one of the two positions for the Pirates in 2021.
The Pirates have Reynolds signed through the 2025 season, and that is right in the Pirate's next competitive window. The Pirates have always had strong outfielders, and Reynolds is shaping up to be another positive. He put up similar numbers to what McCutchen put up during his rookie season and Reynolds could turn into a star. In fact, Reynolds best McCutchen in every category during the two player's first seasons in Pittsburgh. In 2009 McCutchen hit .286 with 12 home runs and 56 RBI while Reynolds hit .314 with 16 home runs and 68 RBI. Reynolds has all the makings of a star and is shaping up to be another core player for the Pirates.
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