Pittsburgh Pirates Rebuild - 2026 End of Season Check-In
- IamCogs
- Oct 19
- 9 min read
The end of the 2026 MLB regular season is here. And your Pittsburgh Pirates end their campaign as the number one team in the MLB, going 111-51, setting a franchise record in wins, surpassing the 1909 Pirates team (who themselves won the World Series...good omen?)
This years club also attracted an all time high in attendance, with over 2,548,000 and counting fans finding their way into PNC Park for the 2026 season.
It was a historic season for the Buccos, including numerous award winners, All-Stars, and with the playoffs set to kick off, perhaps championship gold.
Some things we will be covering this check-in:
League update including stats, standing, milestones and playoff tree.
Standard wrap up of NL Central, team stats, and more.
A check-in in the farm.
Here's the final Team Report for the 2026 season.
Basics
After what was a tight division race at the midway check-in, the Pirates finished the back end of the season going 59-22, while the Reds, who started scorching hot, finished the second half going just 35-45, which allowed the Pirates to secure their second NL Central division title in a row on the 17th of September.
The Reds did play enough to secure a wildcard slot and the possibility of playing the Pirates once again in the Division Series if they can get past the Washington Nationals.
After making the post-season in 2025, the Cubs and Cardinals both miss the playoffs in 2026, and the Brewers once again finish last in the division, as the rebuild in Milwaukee continues.
Since our last check in the NL Central teams have gone: Pirates: 30-11
Cardinals: 21-21
Reds: 17-24
Cubs: 16-24
Brewers: 15-25
Here's the stats rankings to finish the year.
Changes:
Home Runs: 7th -> 6th
Zone Rating: 9th -> 11th
Errors: 4th -> t-1st
League News
Milestones
Starting with some milestones achieved:
On 10/3 in a 9-2 win against the Marines, Astros 2B Jose Altuve (48/48) collected his 2500th career hit.
On 8/29 in a 4-3 loss against the Angels, Rangers SS Corey Seager (67/67) hit career homerun number 250.
On 9/30 in a 9-6 win against the Brewers, Dodgers RF Mookie Betts (65/65) knocked in his 1000th career RBI.
And some milestones creeping close:
Phillies 1B Bryce Harper (65/65) is 20 hits away from hitting 2000 in his career.
Yankees RF/DH Giancarlo Stanton (48/48) is 21 homeruns away from 500 on his career.
Mariners 1B Paul Goldschmidt (49/49) is 4 homeruns away from 400 in his career.
Tigers LHP Chris Sale (55/55) is 130 strikeouts away from 3000.
Final Standings
Starting over in the AL East, after finishing with 92 wins and in 2nd place in 2025, the Orioles won 99 games and were the best team in the AL. They invested $40+ million in extra payroll in 2026 and it pays off with home field advantage throughout the playoffs. With an 89 win season the Yankees make it 31 years running with a winning record, and earn a wildcard berth.
In the AL Central, the Tigers put on a furious comeback finishing 8-2 in their last 10 to steal the division from the Twins. Both the Twins and Guardians will see post season play, with the Guardians having a chance to move past the AL West champion Rangers to face the Tigers in the ALDS.
The Rangers finish 88-74 in back-to-back seasons, and in a weak AL West that more than enough for the division. The Rangers offense is dangerous, they had 5 players hit over 20 homeruns in 2026.
In the NL, the NL East was won by the Braves, led by MVP candidate Michael Harris II (80/80), the 25 year old has turned into the games best CF, as he lead the league in RBI, AVG, OPS, SLG, wRC+ and WAR. The Washington Nationals are finally back to winning way, going back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, when they won it all.
The NL West was won by the Dodgers (again) and continue the streak of 13 straight years of making the playoffs. The Diamondbacks rebound from a 70 win season an secure a wildcard spot.
Playoff Tree
In the AL, the Yankees will take on the Twins, with the chance for the Yankees to take on their AL East division rival Orioles. While the Guardians get the chance to do the same squaring off with the Rangers, who are hoping to defend their world series title.
Over in the NL, the Reds hope to get some measure of revenge against the Pirates looking to even the score after the Pirated won 8 of 13 games in the regular season against them. But they have to get past a good Nationals team first. Two NL West division rivals square off in the other wildcard series, looking for the right take on the 99 win Braves.
League Leaders
Offense
As mentioned, Michael Harris II put together MVP worthy 2026, slashing .356/.387/.631 while leading the MLB in a majority of offensive categories.
The Pirates saw some players crack the top 5 of some categories. Jack Suwinski finished 5th in the MLB with 113 RBI's (he also set a Pirates record striking out 197 times, but let's not worry about that all too much..) Josh Palacios was 4th in doubles with 46. And Oneil Cruz and Jack Suwinski finished tied for 2nd in stolen bases with 45.
Pitching
The Pirates strength for all of the 2026 season was it's pitching. Paul Skenes won the pitching triple crown, leading the league in ERA with a sparkling 1.69 ERA, 20 wins, and 259 strikeouts. Skenes also lead the league in pitching WAR, complete games, K/BB ratio, BB/9, WHIP and FIP. Jared Jones finished 2nd in wins, with 19, pitching a perfect season going 19-0. He also finished 2nd in ERA posting a 2.60.
Stats
Batting Notes
Milestone Games:
Part of the September call ups for roster expansion, on 9/3, 1B Tyler Locklear (46/46) goes 3 for 3 with a double, 1 RBI and 1 BB against the San Francisco Giants in a 8-5 win.
CF Oniel Cruz (55/55) posts his third consecutive 20/20 season, doing so on 9/5 in a 8-7 loss against the Yankees.
On 9/12 LF Jack Suwinski (57/57) knocked in his 100th RBI in a 9-0 win again the Reds. He became the first Pirate since Josh Bell in 2019 to knock in 100+ runs. He finished with 113 on the season.
He also registered a 30/30 season, becoming the first Pirate to do so since Barry Bonds in 1992, and the only Pirate not named Barry Bonds to do so.
Batting tidbits:
Let's start with RF Josh Palacios (52/52) who was fantastic out of the leadoff spot, he slashed .304/.364/.466 which leading the NL with 46 doubles. His .829 OPS lead the team, as well as his 136 wRC+. While he is 31, he looks to be the future leadoff man for the Pirates in RF.
Free agent SS Bo Bichette (54/54), who signed a 6 year, 183 million dollar contract with the Pirates during the off-season proved every bit worth the money, leading the Pirates hitters in WAR. He was also 2nd on the team in RBI (95), tied for 4th in SB (31), 2nd in BA (.296)
DH Bryan Reynolds (52/52) continues to remain a model of consistency in the Pirates lineup. He slashed .276/.352/.438 in 2026. B-Rey also hit his 150th career home run on 9/13 against the Reds. All his homeruns, of course, with the Pirates. He is 9th all time in Pirates history.
C Henry Davis (58/58) has quickly become one of the better offensive catcher in the NL. In 2026 he slashed .276/.363/.445 while knocking in a career high 72 runs, with 30 doubles and 14 home runs.
Backup catcher Endy Rodriguez (44/45) also had a nice offensive season. Appearing in 42 games with 40 starts he slashed .281/.335/.418 with 4 HR, 29 RBI, and a 115 wRC+.
After a very slow start to the season, that saw CF Oneil Cruz (55/55) slash just .188/.264/.323, the 2025 All-Star finished with .250/.309/.456 with 23 HR, 89 RBI and 45 SB.
3B Eguy Rosario (48/48) had a decent season. In 108 starts he slashed .231/.294/.399 with 17 HR and 64 RBI, but his inability to be productive against RHP (.218/.266/.362) lead to him taking platoon starts.
3B Termarr Johnson (46/51) took the majority of starts against RHP, he started 99 games at 2B, 3B, and SS slashing .247/.342/.353 while hitting 7 HR and 38 RBI. He threw in 14 2B and led the Pirates with a 11.7 BB rate.
The other corner infield spot also saw some platooning. 1B Kyle Manzardo (55/58) saw the bulk of starts against RHP. He slashed .243/.329/.420 on the year with 18 HR, 82 RBI with a 110 wRC+.
1B Anthony Rizzo (45/45) who was added at the trade deadline took starts against LHP. In 31 games with 23 starts he hit 5 HR and 20 RBI for the Pirates while slashing a very respectable .295/.344/.489.
Pitching Notes
Milestones:
LHP Anthony Solometo (46/46) was the second player called up during the September call ups. in 6 starts in September he pitched 34.0 innings, going 3-1 with a 3.71 ERA. He struck out 32 while walking 12, and gave up just 1 home run. He sported a 1.24 WHIP in his time up in the majors. He perhaps deserves a bigger look as our 5th starter, especially since he throws from the left side.
In a correlated move LHP Bailey Falter (41/41) was moved to the bullpen, after posting a 4.08 ERA in 154.1 IP, his move to the pen resulted in a 2.16 ERA in 16.2 IP.
Solometo's debut came on 9/2. In a 7-1 win against the Giants, he went 6.1 IP, allowing 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB and 7 K on 89 pitches.
Solometo's September efforts earned him the MLB rookie Pitcher of the Month award.
RHP Paul Skenes (80/80) Also won Pitcher of the month in August. He went 4-0, with a 1.26 ERA, 2.11 BAA, 49 K and just 5 BB.
Pitching tidbits:
I feel like I've glazed Skenes a lot but I wouldn't do it without it being warranted. He truly has been the best pitcher in baseball in 2026 by a wide margin, and I don't think it's a stretch to say the best since he was called up in 2024.
The second ace of the staff, RHP Jared Jones (55/56) finally put together a healthy year, in 30 starts he posted a 2.60 ERA and was 19-0. His 1.06 WHIP was second on the team only to Paul Skenes. His undefeated streak dates back to last year, with 31 games.
Prized trade acquisition RHP Logan Gilbert (58/58) had his season limited to just 18 starts due to a early injury. But he finished his 2026 going 8-1 with a 3.38 ERA. In 109.1 IP he allowed just 9 HR, striking out 111 and posting a 1.17 WHIP.
International free agent RHP Mel Ramos (54/54) rebounded after a rocky first half. In 32 starts he went 15-5 with a 3.60 ERA. He had a respectable 1.20 WHIP while striking out 196 batters. but did lead the Pirates starting staff with 59 walks.
Lefty Closer Caleb Ferguson (46/46) was nearly untouchable on the season. In 51 appearances he recorded 29 saves in 34 opportunities. He posted a 1.06 ERA with a .90 WHIP, and most importantly as a closer, allowed 0 homeruns.
Minor League Check-In
Finally a look at the farm system, including some of the rookies who saw some time in the majors.
LF Chris Newell (44/47) saw extended time on the roster of the Pirates released Alex Verdugo. He slashed .213/.324/.438 with 5 HR, 14 RBI and a .762 OPS and 116 wRC+.
1B Tyler Locklear (46/46) saw 10 starts at 1B, primarily against right handed pitching. He slashed .225/.354/.400, earning a 14.6% in those limited starts. He also added 4 2B, 1 HR and 5 RBI.
20 y/o RHP Levi Sterling (33/47) has begun to take a step in the right direction down in A Bradenton. He won pitcher of the month in August, going 4-0 with a 2.88 ERA, .219 BAA, while striking out 44 and walking 12. He posted a 1.12 WHIP in that timeframe.
19 y/o LF Edward Florentino (31/50) slashed .393/.575/.831 in 23 games in the DRL. With an 1.406 OPS, he hit 9 HR and drove in 28. Things seem to be panning out nicely so far for him.
Top organizational prospect LHP Jamie Arnold (38/59) had a great season of A ball. Posting a 11-4 record and a 2.92 ERA in 120.0 IP. He had a WHIP of 1.16 while striking out 154 and walking 43.
21 y/o 3B Jhonny Severino (40/47) saw 98 starts in AA Altoona. He slashed .282/.356/.476 with 13 HR, 71 RBI and a .832 OPS. He may be ready to move up to AAA.
CF Kevin Alcantara (44/62), who was acquired from the Cubs in a late July trade has slashed .283/.364/.535 in 51 in AAA, hitting 14 HR and driving in 34 runs. He posted a .941 OPS and is panning out to push for a roster spot in the MLB very soon.
That about does it for the end of the season check in! Next stop, post-season and the off-season check in, where we hopefully are talking about the 2026 World Series champion Pittsburgh Pirates! Thanks for reading!
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