A Look at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2026 Hitting Stat Leaders

Even though the Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t make the postseason in 2026, the roster as a whole took massive steps forward throughout the season.

The most notable progress that the team made throughout the year was in the batter’s box. Thanks to offseason acquisitions and players already in the organization taking a step forward, Pittsburgh went from one of baseball's worst offenses to one of its best in just one calendar year.

Here are the hitting stat leaders from Pittsburgh’s improved lineup (min. 350 at-bats):

There are a couple of key takeaways from these stats, starting with the clear impact that Brandon Lowe had on the Pirates after last winter’s trade.

Pittsburgh acquired the All-Star second baseman from the Tampa Bay Rays last December with the hope that he could provide a boost and veteran impact to a lineup that desperately needed it.

Looking at the team’s hitting stat leaders, it’s clear that Lowe did just that, and more, during his first and possibly only season with the team.

Lowe ended up leading the Pirates in slugging percentage, home runs, and RBI. These numbers also made 2026 a career year for the 32-year-old.

The numbers also make it clear that Pittsburgh must do whatever it can this offseason to bring Lowe back for the long term.

Even though Oneil Cruz was sidelined for much of the season, he was still one of the Pirates' top offensive players when he was on the field. Cruz ended up leading the Pirates in OPS, wRC+, and stolen bases.

He would like more support and protection around him, but Cruz provided that; if he stays healthy, he could be the best bat in a postseason lineup at some point in his career.

Another standout from these numbers was Bryan Reynolds' quietly strong season, even though his second half was below league average. One of Pittsburgh’s longest-tenured players was at the center of the team’s overall improvement by leading the team in doubles and triples.

If the Pirates continue this growth in 2027, Pittsburgh could be playing October baseball this time next year.