5 Bold Predictions For The Pirates In 2026

Paul Skenes was the recipient of a well-deserved Cy Young award last season, but he will be back for more in 2026. He hasn’t even played two full seasons in the MLB yet, but it is clear that he is the best pitcher in baseball, along with Tarik Skubal. They are 1A and 1B. Any other answer is wrong. Another dominant year on the bump from Skenes will propel the Pirates into greatness for the first time in a long time. If anybody can save them, it is Skenes. 

4. Oneil Cruz Hits 30+ Home Runs

Although it has been a talking point for three seasons now, Oneil Cruz is due for his massive breakout in 2026. The guy is a complete anomaly, but he hasn’t been able to put it all together yet in his MLB career. This year could be the year that he does it. He hit 20 homers last season and 21 the year before, but he is moving differently this season. He has torn up the scene in Spring Training, and it is completely reasonable to imagine him hitting 30 bombs this season. 

3. Konnor Griffin Wins Rookie Of The Year

In case you have been living under a rock, it is time to get familiar with Konnor Griffin. He is the highest-rated prospect in baseball according to every major source. Fangraphs has written extensively about him and his abilities. Prospect analyst Keith Law has even referred to him as the Willie Mays of shortstops. Griffin has already hit three home runs this spring, and he should be the Pirates’ starting shortstop when the team heads north to begin the regular season. Along with Skenes, Griffin has a chance to save the sinking ship. 

2. The Pirates Win 80+ Games

Last season, Pittsburgh won 71 games. It won 76 games in 2024 and 2023. Now it’s time to take a jump up to the 80-win range. It’s a realistic goal to have, and the Pirates could even shatter that and get into 90-win territory. With the offseason additions of Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna mixed with the incoming young talent, good things are bound to happen in the Steel City. 

1. Pittsburgh Returns To The Postseason

It has been a long time. The Pirates haven’t made the playoffs since they lost to Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs in the 2015 Wild Card game. 2026 could be the time to erase the demons of the past decade in Pittsburgh. Fangraphs is projecting the Pirates to snag the last Wild Card spot in the National League. If they can get past that, their pitching rotation gives them a chance to compete in the postseason. Skenes, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller will be a filthy combination in October. 2026 is the year that Buctober returns. 

End Of My Pittsburgh Pirates Rant

Some will call Pirates fans delusional for thinking that a big season is on the horizon, but it truly feels that way. Skenes and Griffin have the opportunity to change the landscape of baseball in Pittsburgh. It’s a tall task, but they are up to the task. Getting their spending up to over $100 million is a shock to the fans. They might not be the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the Pirates opened the checkbook this offseason by their standards. Things are looking brighter in Pittsburgh.