Pirates Not Getting Enough From Their Veteran Outfielder
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't gotten what they've needed from their lineup, especially from one of their most experienced hitters.
Left fielder Bryan Reynolds has struggled following the All-Star break, serving as one of the Pirates' worst hitters.
Reynolds is hitting .202/.279/.298 for an OPS of .577 in 24 games in the second half of 2026, with an 0-for-4 outing in the 2-0 loss to the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park on Aug. 11.s
It's not an acceptable slash line for the 31-year old and the Pirates need him to turn it around at a crucial time of the season.
Why is Reynolds Struggling?
Reynolds hasn't hit for power this part of the season, with just one home run that came two weeks ago, after hitting 14 in his first 97 games.
He's also not had the great plate discipline he had earlier this season, going from 14.69% to now at 9.62% and a strikeout rate from 22.27% to 32.69%.
Reynolds was huge for the Pirates establishing one of the best offenses in baseball at the All-Star break, but his downfall has also coincided with the team hitting poorly as a whole.
The Pirates went from hitting .263/.342/.426 for an OPS of .768 in the first half of the season to batting .226/.297/.344 for an OPS of .641 in the second half, a drop of 127 points in OPS.
It has also had an effect on his performance, as he has just four RBI, rarely getting a chance to drive runners in and score, but when everyone around him is struggling, it also clearly affects his performance at the plate.
Can Reynolds Get Back to His Best Form?
Reynolds was exceptional in the first half of the season, batting .283/.400/.477 for an OPS of .877, with 99 hits, 22 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, 59 RBI and 62 walks to 94 strikeouts.
Those numbers put him amongst the best outfielders in baseball, but still saw him snubbed from an All-Star nod, which would've been the third of his career.
Reynolds had a .811 OPS In April, .932 OPS in May and a .911 OPS in another great showing in June, before seeing it drop to .736 in July and now .615 in August.
He has been a much better hitter overall in 2026, especially compared to last season, with improved contact and plate discipline that had him on track for one of his best seasons.
Reynolds can get back to hitting the way he was earlier this season, but he also needs the bats around him to do their part.
This includes the likes of second baseman Brandon Lowe, first baseman Spencer Horwitz, third baseman Nick Gonzales, right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez and others.
The Pirates would also benefit from getting center fielder Oneil Cruz back from injury this month and then eventually both shortstop Konnor Griffin and first baseman/right fielder Ryan O'Hearn in September.
Reynolds needs to hit much better than he has, but an improved lineup will give him the best chance to do exactly that.
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Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.