The NS9 Report is the start to your week. Posted bright and early every Monday morning, I’ll break down the three things that I’m looking for each week in Pirates land.
Time to Stack Some Wins
The Pirates passed the test at Wrigley Field despite falling just short of a sweep of the Cubs. They return home this week to face the Nationals for four games and then the Rays this weekend for three. Now nothing is guaranteed here, I always caution fans who just start adding wins like “ok, we can take three-of-four from the Nationals…” It doesn’t work like that. In fact, the Nationals actually are coming off of a three-game sweep in Milwaukee against the Brewers. They’re playing well and the Rays are over .500 at 8-7. But you’re at home in a long homestand, this is the time to stack some wins.
Last season the Pirates were 44-37 at PNC Park. They were an abysmal 27-54 on the road. They started off better on the road this season, now bring it home and keep it going against two teams that the Pirates should be able to handle. And let’s hope they at least handle the Rays on Saturday when the NS9 crew will be in town for the live tailgate! It’s also Paul Skenes bobblehead night so come get one of those and hang out with us at the game.
The Pirates Need to Cut Down the Walks
Walks, walks and more walks. We’ve talked so much about this pitching staff and the potential they have and the starting rotation and bullpen have showed it through 15 games this season…and that’s even with all the walks they’ve had!
The Pirates pitching staff as a whole is walking batters at a 12.4% clip, good for 5th worst in MLB. The bullpen is even worse, coming in at 14.2%. The pen is walking 5.75 batters per nine. And even despite those control problems, the pen has been arguably really good but they have to get the walks toned down. Their ERA is middle of the road We saw on Sunday in Chicago that with this team’s defense currently, they can’t afford to be walking guys and putting leadoff batters on base in a tight ballgame. The pen was living dangerously for a couple games and it finally caught up to them in Sunday’s loss. They’ve been getting the job done, but eventually it will catch up to you.
Just think what their ceiling would be if they had a normal walk rate. Just something I’ll be keeping an eye on this week to see if the Pirates can hone in that control at PNC Park this homestand.
Home Run Watch
The Pirates were the worst home run hitting team in all the Majors last season with 117 dingers which ranked dead last. Ben Cherington did some work this offseason to help improve in the power department. And so far, so good as the Pirates are tied for 8th currently in HRs with 16 long balls in 15 games. One of those offseason pickups Brandon Lowe and Oneil Cruz led the way with five each this season. But with the increase in power, it is still lacking from some very capable regulars and the race is on to see who gets their first home run.
First, there’s Marcell Ozuna who has yet to hit one. Ozuna has always hit for power throughout his career. He belted 21 as recently as last season and is just two years removed from a 39-HR campaign. To say he’s been struggling so far is an understatement. He’s slashing a putrid .070/.167/.070. His career slugging percentage is .466. He’s better than this even at his current age. I’m hoping he gets one to help him get going in this upcoming Nats series.
Second, there’s Spencer Horwitz who hit 11 home runs in 411 plate appearances for the Bucs last season. He’s been struggling as well in the early going and still looking for his first home run too. Third, everyone is waiting for Konnor Griffin‘s first home run. It took him one at-bat to rip a double into center field at PNC Park, but the first home run hasn’t come yet. Griffin is just 19 and working to figure out Major League pitching so once he figures something out and gets his timing down, the home runs should come.
And then there’s the catching tandem of Henry Davis and Joey Bart…can we get a home run from the catchers? Both have struggled at the plate through 15 games and while neither are known for huge home run power, they both have some pop in there. Bart hit 13 home runs in 2024 with the Pirates and Davis blasted seven homers last season and in his rookie year in 2023 in limited time. I need a Bart dart in my life very soon.
These five players getting going and hitting some bombs with the others that are carrying the offense would be a huge help to this team. I’ll say Ozuna gets his first homer sometime during this Nats series and maybe Konnor will hit one for the NS9 crew on Saturday when we are all in attendance. Who do you think gets the first dinger of 2026 out of these five?
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