Pirates lineup has potential to break multiple power droughts for franchise 

A year after the Pittsburgh lineup was one of the worst in baseball, the Pirates have the potential to posses a far more potent and dangerous order in 2026. It's even possible the new-look Pirates lineup could become so dangerous that it becomes historic for the franchise, too.  

In 2025, the Pirates collectively hit .231 as a team, which ranked 28th in baseball, and Oneil Cruz led the team with 20 home runs. He was the only Pirates player to reach 20 throughout the entire season. 

Pittsburgh also scored the fewest runs across all of MLB with only 561 and had the fewest home runs in total with a pedestrian 117, significantly lower than the St. Louis Cardinals, which had the second lowest total with 148. 

Going an entire season lacking power and struggling so much to score runs makes it difficult to contend no matter how well any pitcher performs on the mound, even if that same team employees the Cy Young winner. Paul Skenes won the National League Cy Young despite only being able to win 10 games. He won the award due to his 1.97 ERA, 216 strikeouts and 7.7 bWAR, which went completely wasted by the Pirates. 

Pirates have trio of home run hitters 

Heading into 2026 the Pirates have built a lineup that should provide more pop, if nothing else. Joining Cruz, who at only 27 is in the middle of his prime and could find enough of a stroke to reach 30 homers for the first time in his career, are Marcell Ozuna and Brandon Lowe, both acquired in the offseason from the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays. 

Ozuna is only two seasons removed from clubbing 39 home runs and three away from smashing 40, something no Pirates player has achieved since Willie Stargell hit 43 in 1973, the longest span in MLB. And even though Ozuna is unlikely to find that kind of power again - he's lost bat speed since his All-Star season - he still crushed 22 in 2025. 

But while Ozuna's ability is uncertain at this point in his career, Lowe sent 31 balls over the fence last season, the second highest output of his career. At 31, Lowe could take advantage of PNC Park being more friendly to left-handed hitters. He's already started off the new season hot, connecting on a pair of home runs in the Opening Day game in New York against the Mets.