Bryan Reynolds does something the Pittsburgh Pirates haven't seen in over 15 years.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ offense has taken a step forward in 2026, even though the team fell short of its goal of reaching the playoffs.
This uptick in production stems from several factors: young players getting off to a hot start, offseason additions living up to the hype, and the previous franchise cornerstones continuing to produce.
One of those veteran players is Brayan Reynolds.
Reynolds is quietly putting together another strong season at the plate, and there’s one stat that sums up just how strong the 31-year-old has been for the Pirates this year.
On Tuesday evening against the St. Louis Cardinals, Reynolds smoked a double on a line drive to left field. This may have looked like any other play, but Reynolds actually made Pirates franchise history with this hit.
Reynolds is the first player to have a 40-double season since Nate McLouth back in 2008. The current Pirates slugger is also the first switch-hitter since Bobby Bonilla in 1991 to have a 40-double season, per the Pirates' communications department.
In terms of where Reynolds 40 doubles compare to the rest of the sport, he currently leads MLB in this stat category, and by a good margin, too.
May 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) reacts at second base with a double against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesAfter Reynolds learned of this accomplishment ahead of Wednesday’s game, he said it was a cool note. The veteran knew that the number of doubles he’d hit this season was adding up, but didn’t realize there was franchise history on the line, too.
Reynolds also joked that he wished some of those doubles could have been home runs, which is a fair and fun twist on the accolade.
This extra-base milestone is part of what has been another strong offensive season for Reynolds. With just a handful of games left to play in 2026, he owns a .261/.363/.422 slash line. Reynolds has struggled since the All-Star break, but he continues to put together consistent at-bats.
This Pirates team is still incredibly young, and having an experienced veteran in the lineup every day is a great example of what it takes for consistent success at the big-league level.
Other Pirates News:
Before the Pirates started their penultimate series of the 2026 season, they surprisingly decided to designate Camilo Doval for assignment not even two months after trading for the relief pitcher.
Jared Jones may have struggled initially after his return from the UCL surgery, but he’s ending the season on a high note with another strong outing on Tuesday night.
