PITTSBURGH – Bryan Reynolds , the Pirates' longest-tenured player, has accomplished a lot in his eight-year MLB career.
The 31-year-old has been an All-Star twice. He finished fourth in the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year race and received MVP votes in 2021. When he signed a $106.75 million extension in 2023, it was a franchise record.
This year, Reynolds could add a couple more individual achievements to his resume. The switch-hitter notched his 40th double of the season in Tuesday's win over the Cardinals at PNC Park. Reynolds is the first Pirate to hit the mark since Nate McLouth had 46 in 2007, and he's only the second switch-hitter in franchise history to have a 40-double season, joining Bobby Bonilla (44, 1991).
Reynolds leads MLB in the category as the only player so far to hit the benchmark.
"It was cool. I hit it and I told myself I was going to second no matter what. Luckily the throw was off," Reynolds said of eighth-inning double off Cade Winquest. "Doubles are cool, so it's good to hit a lot of those. It would've been nice to sprinkle in some home runs too, but I'll take the 40 doubles."
Part of the reason Reynolds was able to record 40 doubles this season is because of how available he's been. He's appeared in every game the team has had this season and is looking to become the first Pirate to play all 162 games since Jason Bay in 2005.
"I think that's pretty cool, being available," he explained. "I haven't started every game but getting into every game, I've wanted to do that in my career. I've had some hiccups the last few years, but hopefully this will be the year."
While Reynolds' individual performance is on par with what he's done throughout his career, the team success the Pirates have had has been unlike what he's experienced.
Although the Pirates missed out on the playoffs, they are on the verge of their first winning season since 2018 — the year before Reynolds made his MLB debut.
"I think throughout the year, there was an expectation that coming to the field, you have a real good chance to win, which hasn't really been the case in some years past," he explained. "Yeah, I think to be where we're at — obviously it's not where we'd like to be — but a few games over .500 with a couple games left and we weren't at full strength for really any of the year, except for maybe three weeks total. Just continuing to fight."
The Pirates were without regulars such as Oneil Cruz , Konnor Griffin, Ryan O'Hearn and Spencer Horwitz due to lengthy IL stints. Had they not had to deal with major injury blows, Reynolds feels the Pirates would be even better than they are now.
"It's tough when you take good bats out of the lineup," he said. "Guys stepped up, too, but it's just a lot for the lineup to carry for an extended time. We were just kind of unlucky with that. We've got everybody back right now and we've been really good. It just stinks that it could have been much of the season like that."
After a 5-1 loss to the Cardinals on Wednesday, the Pirates are 80-78 and two wins away from clinching just their fifth winning in the last 34 years. It's not where the Pirates wanted their season to end, but it shows some progress.
"Definitely gives you confidence," Reynolds said of a winning season and strong finish carrying over into next year. "This last September or whatever, we've got a good record, and that's pretty much at full strength. Gives us some confidence to show us that we're capable of it. Obviously, we didn't do the ultimate goal, but a few steps in the right direction."
It's largely been lip service to say the Pirates are heading into next year with a real chance to compete. But heading into 2027, the team feels a strong foundation is set to help them finally get over the hump.
"It's the best year I've had here, so definitely something to build on," Reynolds said of the team's success.
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