Pirates' Ryan O'Hearn Receives Major Take From MLB Insider

The Pittsburgh Pirates were aggressive in the offseason, inking 2025 All-Star Ryan O'Hearn to a two-year, $29 million deal. 

MLB insider Robert Murray of FanSided stated he is already making a major impact for the Pirates.

In 44 games, O'Hearn is slashing .289/.368/.459 with seven home runs, 29 RBIs, six doubles, 27 runs, and an .827 OPS.

Pittsburgh's offense struggled in the 2025 season but has become a solid scoring team, ranking fifth in the league in runs with 270. 

O'Hearn was building upon his All-Star campaign in 2025, where he slashed .281/.366/.437 with 17 home runs, 63 RBIs, 21 doubles, 67 runs, and an .803 OPS across 144 games.

O'Hearn has been out of the Pirates' lineup since May 16th with a right quadriceps strain. Pittsburgh will hope he can return soon as they look to make a playoff push this season.

The Pirates are 29-27 through 56 games this season and are 5.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. They are in last place in the division despite holding a record over .500, as the Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds are all playing at a high level.

Pittsburgh's aggressiveness in signing O'Hearn and trading for Brandon Lowe has drastically improved the lineup.

Lowe has been incredible, slashing .269/.355/.560 with 14 home runs, 36 RBIs, 12 doubles, 33 runs, and a .914 OPS. He is another 2025 All-Star who improved on his campaign with an even better season in 2026.

O'Hearn and Lowe have been quality veteran bats alongside their young talent like rookie Konnor Griffin.

The 20-year-old Griffin has played well in his rookie season, slashing .261/.322/.394 with four home runs, 21 RBIs, eight doubles, 29 runs, 12 stolen bases, and a .716 OPS.

With the lineup starting to take form and a talented rotation led by reigning Cy Young award winner Paul Skenes, the Pirates could make a run to the postseason for the first time since 2015.

O'Hearn's return to the lineup in the near future will be a major boost to the offense.

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