Pirates' Bryan Reynolds brings consistent approach, performance into 2025 season

Arguably more than any other player, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a good idea of what they’re going to get each year from Bryan Reynolds.

Reynolds, whom the Pirates locked up with an eight-year, $106.75 million deal in 2023, has earned his paycheck before and since inking that contract.

Last year, he was selected to his second All-Star Game and hit .275 with 24 homers and 88 RBIs.

In 2023, he hit .263 with 24 home runs and 88 RBIs, whereas the year before, Reynolds batted .262 with 27 home runs and 62 RBIs.

Over that three-year span, his average slash line has been .267/.340/.456.

But more than the stats, Reynolds prides himself on his approach.

“I think it’s a huge thing, not necessarily the numbers specifically, but being in there every day, showing up to the park knowing that I’m going to be in there and preparing that way,” Reynolds said last weekend at PiratesFest. “I think that’s what leads to consistency in the numbers and consistency all around.”

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As far as offseason work, Reynolds’ regimen doesn’t consist of any peculiarities.

“Nothing crazy, I just work out hard and hit a lot,” Reynolds said. “There’s no secret pill. It’s just being ready, working hard in the offseason and then in the season, playing through some things. Nobody feels 100% for a 162-game season. So just pushing yourself and getting out there for your guys.”

Earlier this offseason, Reynolds was able to get a first impression of new Pirates hitting coach Matt Hague, who replaced Andy Haines.

Hague, who served as assistant hitting coach with the Blue Jays in 2024 and who had coached in the organization since 2020, joined Reynolds and Pirates catcher Jason Delay at Vanderbilt, both players’ alma mater, for an introductory round of instruction.

“I liked him,” Reynolds said. “I mean, it was a short trip. We hit, and then that was that. But just a personable guy. Gave us some good feedback from hitting. I think he’s going to be good for us.”

One question mark for Reynolds in 2025 will be his defensive deployment. Before the end of the 2024 campaign, he addressed inquiries regarding a position switch to first base.

While the acquisition of Spencer Horwitz this offseason seemed geared to address the club’s hole at the position, Reynolds, who started 117 games in left field and 16 in right last year, is trying to stay in front of that possibility.

However, Reynolds said he anticipates largely staying put in the outfield, where he led the NL in assists (11) last season.

“They’ve told me I’m going to play shortstop,” Reynolds joked. “I haven’t done much. I’ve been throwing with a first-base glove and catching with it. But I expect to be in the outfield for most I’m sure. But we’ll see.”

If the Pirates are going to turn a corner in 2025 after back-to-back 76-86 campaigns, steady production from Reynolds in the same vein as the last few years will be key.

Along with pitcher Mitch Keller and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, the other two Pirates signed for the foreseeable future, Reynolds will look to provide stability to a club featuring promising young talent on the mound in reigning NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes and Jared Jones.

Reynolds hopes to help the Pirates learn from 2024.

“Last year, the first half we were good, we were in it, so we showed we could do it,” Reynolds said. “We just have to finish and just kinda string it together for a whole season, which is the separator. That’s really what we have to do.

“We just got to figure out a way to grind through and win those close ones. You’re going to lose some, too. But, if you can win more than you lose in those, then you’ll be good.”